Whatcom Seniors, Coaches Earn State Honors

Whatcom Hoops March-15-2023
Lynden's Coston Parcher (left) and LC's Jeremiah Wright are playing in all-star games this Saturday.

Seven Whatcom players and three Whatcom coaches were chosen to participate in state all-star games this Saturday, March 18, and several other players earned all-star honors. On the boys side, Lynden’s Coston Parcher, Lynden Christian’s Tyler Sipma, and Blaine’s Matt Russ were named to the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association all-star games, which features top … Read more

Whatcom Powers Dominate All-NWC Girls, Boys Teams

Whatcom Hoops March-7-2023
Nooksack's Devin Coppinger (left), Lainey Kimball and coach Shane Wichers earned NWC honors.

It’s no big surprise that after winning three state championships and taking second- and third-place trophies that Whatcom boys and girls dominated the all-Northwest Conference all-star teams announced by the league’s head coaches. Class 1A state champion Nooksack Valley had two of the top honors on the girls side. Shane Wichers was named the head … Read more

State Wrap-up: Thanks To Everyone For Everything

Whatcom Hoops March-7-2023
Nothing is more symbolic of Whatcom's golden era than winning three more gold balls.

In the aftermath of county-wide celebrations, we need to remember there were long stretches in the history of Whatcom County basketball when we didn’t bring home any state championships let alone three. We are in a “golden era” of collecting gold balls and we need to appreciate it because it is not only extra special … Read more

It’s All Relative: Whatcom Hoops Are Family Affairs

Whatcom Hoops January-24-2023
Lyncs legacy: Dykstras, Zylstras, and Sipmas

Having grown up as a military brat with our closest relatives 2,500 miles away and only knowing one teammate before joining my high school team,* I’ve been amazed at how close the family ties are in Whatcom County sports. Almost every season you have parents coaching children, siblings playing with each other, and cousins galore … Read more

Gracie’s Story: Sharing Trauma To Inspire, Help Others

Whatcom Hoops January-18-2023
Gracie Phelps is interviewed at the NCAA Honors Celebration. (Photo courtesy of the NCAA.)

Gracie’s story could have been simply the tragic tale of a little girl suffering unspeakable abuse. Instead, Gracie Phelps is using her story to speak out against violence and to inspire the victims of trauma. “I’ve had to say some really hard things (in public),” said the Blaine girls basketball head coach. “I’m able to … Read more

The Western Connection: Sehome Seniors Latest In Ongoing Legacy

Whatcom Hoops January-10-2023
(From left) Grey Garrison, Carmen Dolfo, Brad Jackson, Tony and Dane Dominguez

Western Washington University and Sehome High School are less than a mile apart, and when it comes to basketball, the two schools are even closer — especially this season. Two of the starters on the Mariners boys basketball team — seniors Grey Garrison and Dane Dominguez — are the sons of WWU women’s head coach … Read more

Welcome Our 6 New Varsity Head Coaches 

Whatcom Hoops November-18-2022
New coaches Gracie Phelps and Nate Sullivan bring out the smiles in Blaine.

There will be a lot of different faces on the sidelines as nearly a third of our 22 Whatcom County teams will have new head coaches this season. Six programs, including both the boys and girls varsity squads at Blaine and Sehome, will have new leaders. But while they may be new to their teams, … Read more

Everybody’s Excited For The New Season!

Whatcom Hoops November-19-2022
The Lynden boys and the other 21 county teams are ready for the new season.

With the shadow of COVID finally lifted, the 2022-23 basketball season tips off with some changes that have nothing to do with restrictions, cancellations, or masks. There will be new facilities, new playoff formats, and new coaches, but some of the biggest changes will occur because of an old problem: the lack of officials. The … Read more

Whatcom Girls, Boys Dominate All-NWC Teams

Whatcom Hoops March-8-2022
Nooksack Valley's Devin Coppinger was named the league MVP.

There aren’t many leagues that can claim three state championship teams and two state runners-ups, which is why the all-Northwest Conference boys and girls teams can boast of some of the top players in the state. League champion and Class 1A state runner-up Nooksack Valley had two of the top honors on the girls side. … Read more

Coaches’ Kids Lead Class Of 2022 On Emotional Final Run

Whatcom Hoops February-1-2022
Hailey Pike has been shooting under the watchful eye of her father since second grade.

As our 22 Whatcom County boys and girls basketball teams wind up their regular seasons this week and look forward to the playoffs, the seniors also will be looking at playing their final high school games. So for all of us who have enjoyed watching the Class of 2022 play the past four years — … Read more