Whatcom Hoops Girls Top 30: #17 Jemma James

In a season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops ranked the top 30 girls. Each day we featured an amazing player in our county and counted down until we got to #1. We hope you enjoyed the countdown as we honored the best of the best.

#17

Jemma James, eighth-grader, Lummi Nation

WHY SHE’S #17: If you don’t think an eighth-grader can make an impact at the varsity level then you haven’t seen the Lady Blackhawks’ tiny dynamo. James averaged 11.5 points a game but it was her fearless floor leadership that helped Lummi Nation reach the tri-district playoffs, where an ankle injury to the 5-foot-3 point guard might have kept them from reaching state. Her ballhandling made it impossible to press the Blackhawks and her intense, hounding defense made her a nightmare for opposing guards. She was named first-team all-Northwest 1B League and is a rising star in the Class 1B ranks. 

COACH KRISTA MAHLE: “This is only the beginning for Jemma James. She is an all-around leader. Next year, she will officially be a freshman, and I can’t wait to see her growth in the next four years.”

Links to the Whatcom Hoops Top 30

#1: Devin Coppinger, Nooksack Valley

#2: Grace Hintz, Lynden Christian

#3: Payton Mills, Lynden

#4: Lainey Kimball, Nooksack Valley

#5: Madi Cooper, Sehome

#6: Maddy Barter, Mount Baker

#7: Avery Neal, Meridian

#8: Demi Dykstra, Lynden Christian

#9: Mari Binning, Squalicum

#10: Hallie Kamphouse, Nooksack Valley

#11: Haylee Koetje, Lynden

#12: Tana Hoekema, Nooksack Valley

#13: Kalanie Newcomb, Lynden

#14: Emmy Hart, Sehome

#15: Ellie Ochoa, Ferndale

#16: Adia Newcomb, Lynden

#17: Jemma James, Lummi Nation

#18: Makayla Heaton, Squalicum

#19: Jordyn Vezzetti, Blaine

#20: Daisy Poag, Lynden Christian

#21: Madisyn Butenschoen, Ferndale

#22: Mallory Butenschoen, Ferndale

#23: Deja Dube, Blaine

#24: Maris Baklund, Meridian 

#25: Aliesha Solomon, Lummi Nation 

#26: Raven Solomon, Lummi Nation

#27: Natalie Brewer, Sehome

#28: Reganne Arnold, Lynden Christian

#29: Ashley Lang, Ferndale

#30: Ellie Wolverton, Bellingham

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