In a week with almost as many games canceled because of COVID cases as games played, Lynden remained undefeated in Northwest Conference play, and Lynden Christian and Meridian won showdowns with other NWC contenders.
The Lyncs and Trojans bounced back from close losses the previous week — their first in league play — to trounce Ferndale and Squalicum, respectively, two teams that also came in with only one NWC loss.
For a look back at Week 4 for our county boys team, check out Whatcom Hoops boys recap.
Here are the girls highlights from Week 4.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Sehome had one of the only close games this week when the Mariners traveled to Mount Vernon on Tuesday. The Mariners held a 12-point lead with five minutes to go, but couldn’t hold off the Bulldogs, who scored 24 points in the final quarter to pull out a 60-57 victory over Sehome. “We made a lot of mistakes, and they executed well down the stretch,” said Sehome coach Anye Turner.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Senior Libby Stump had 26 points and four 3-pointers in just three quarters and freshman Grace Hintz had 19 points and a trio of 3s in Lynden Christian’s victory over Ferndale on Tuesday. … Squalicum sophomore Mari Binning had a great all-around game on Wednesday with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. … Lynden sophomore Haylee Koetje had 23 points, including three 3-pointers, in Lynden’s victory over Mount Baker. … Senior Skyleigh James had 21 points to lead Meridian to its victory.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Lynden Christian knocked off Ferndale on Wednesday, 74-37. The Lyncs held the Golden Eagles to 10 first-half points while putting up 43. Stump and Hintz combined for 45 points, junior Demi Dykstra added 8 points with a pair of 3-pointers, and senior Lexi Kaptein had 7 points as eight of the 10 Lyncs scored.
Lynden defeated Blaine on Monday, 58-30, and the Lions’ game at Bishop Blanchet on Wednesday was canceled because of COVID cases. This will also mean the cancellation of next week’s Lynden Christmas Tournament hosted by the Lions. On Monday, junior Adia Newcomb hit three of her four 3-pointers in the first period to propel the Lions to a 16-4 lead. Besides Koetje’s 23 points, Newcomb added 14 points, and sophomore Mallary Millars tossed in 10 points.
Meridian defeated Squalicum on Wednesday, 53-38. The Trojans held the Storm to six fourth-quarter points and held off Squalicum’s upset bid thanks to James’s effort on both offense and defense.
Lummi Nation (3-3 overall, 2-1 in Northwest 1B League) defeated Orcas Island on Monday, 42-29.
Blaine came out cold and lost its only game of the week to Lynden on Monday, 58-30. Senior Hailey Pike had 15 points and a pair of 3-pointers, and sophomore Deja Dube added 9 points, but the Borderites only managed four first-quarter points and couldn’t recover.
Ferndale lost to Lynden Christian on Wednesday, 74-37. Junior Ashley Lang had 8 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and sophomore Mallory Butenschoen had 7 points, but Ferndale was held to its lowest point total of the season.
Squalicum fell to Meridian on Wednesday, 53-38. The Storm was within five in the final period but a six-point fourth quarter doomed Squalicum. Binning led the Storm with 24 points but it wasn’t enough against the Trojans.
Sehome lost to Mount Vernon on Tuesday, 60-57, and to Seattle Prep on Thursday, 48-32. On Tuesday, senior Maddie Schumacher led the Mariners with 15 points and four assists; junior Mac Cooper had 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assist; and sophomores Madi Cooper and Macie Aven had 9 points each. In Thursday’s non-league game, the Mariners were as cold as the temperature outside, scoring their lowest point total of the season. Schumacher had 8 points and Madi Cooper had 7, but no other Mariner had more than 5 points.
Mount Baker had its Tuesday game at Oak Harbor canceled.
Nooksack Valley had its Tuesday game with Sedro-Woolley canceled.
Bellingham had its Monday game with Anacortes canceled.
WEEK 5
TOP GAMES
Give Lynden Christian credit for not being afraid to schedule tough games. LC invited unbeaten Class 4A Tahoma and once-beaten Mount Si, and unbeaten Class 2A Tumwater and once-beaten Archbishop Murphy to join Ferndale and the host Lyncs at the Lynden Christmas Classic on Tuesday through Thursday.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Dec. 28: Blaine Tournament (Lynden Christian JV vs. Granite Falls, Sehome vs. Bellevue Christian, Blaine vs. University Prep), Lynden Christmas Classic at LC (Ferndale vs. Mount Si, Lynden Christian vs. Archbishop Murphy), Meridian Holiday Tournament (Squalicum vs. Lincoln (Seattle), Meridian vs. Sultan), Nooksack Valley vs. Mt. Spokane at Top of the Peak Tournament at Glacier Peak
Wednesday, Dec. 29: Blaine Tournament (Sehome vs. Granite Falls, Blaine vs. Bellevue Christian, Bellingham vs. University Prep), Lynden Christmas Classic at LC (Ferndale vs. Tahoma, Lynden Christian vs. Tumwater), Meridian Holiday Tournament (Meridian vs. Lincoln (Seattle), Squalicum vs. Sultan), Nooksack Valley at Top of the Peak Tournament at Glacier Peak
Thursday, Dec. 30: Lynden Christmas Classic at LC (Ferndale vs. Archbishop Murphy, Lynden Christian vs. Tahoma), Nooksack Valley at Top of the Peak Tournament at Glacier Peak
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
| League | Overall | |||
| W | L | W | L | |
| Lynden | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Burlington-Edison | 4 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Nooksack Valley | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Lynden Christian | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Meridian | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Ferndale | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Mount Vernon | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Squalicum | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Anacortes | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Bellingham | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Lakewood | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Oak Harbor | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Sehome | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Blaine | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Mount Baker | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Sedro-Woolley | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
