The leaders in the Northwest Conference and Northwest 1B League have begun to separate themselves setting up some key matchups starting this coming week.
Lynden Christian was Week 6’s big winner with three victories, including a win over Meridian in an important Class 1A contest. The Lyncs remain unbeaten in league play and kept pace with Lynden, which easily won its only game of the week to remain Whatcom’s only undefeated girls team.
Lummi Nation’s Lady Blackhawks had an unusual week with their game last Thursday against Tulalip Heritage postponed because of sickness in their school. The game was rescheduled for this coming Friday.
But that didn’t slow down Lummi Nation, which last week crushed another league opponent and then picked up a non-league victory. The only other Whatcom team with two wins last week was Squalicum.
For a look back at Week 3 for our Whatcom boys teams, check out Whatcom Hoops boys recap.
Here are the girls highlights from Week 6.
GAME OF THE WEEK
In a week with few games decided by less than 10 points, the game of the week has to go to Nooksack Valley’s 39-32 victory over Sehome. In the defensive battle, it was the Pioneers’ D that earned the W, holding the Mariners’ to two points in the second quarter and five in the fourth. Senior Kate Shintaffer and junior Payton Bartl provided most of the offense, combining for 30 points, while no Mariner managed to get into double figures.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Rebeca Soares had 21 points for Mount Baker on Wednesday. … Junior Ailina Rabang had 17 points to lead Lummi Nation on Tuesday, and sophomore Jemma James had 21 points for the Lady Blackhawks on Saturday. … Sophomore Finley Parcher had 20 points in Lynden’s only game last week. … Sophomore Tiana Thompson had 19 points for Squalicum on Monday. … Senior Allison Shumate had 19 points for Lynden Christian on Friday and 20 points on Saturday. … Sophomore Brooklyn Larrabee had 18 points in Ferndale’s win Tuesday. … Junior Chayleigh Davis had 18 points to lead Nooksack Valley on Thursday. … Freshman Taylor Turrell had 18 points for Sehome on Friday.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN defeated Meridian on Monday, 65-25; Blaine on Friday, 56-15; and Bainbridge on Saturday, 67-35. On Monday, the Lyncs held the Trojans to 14 points through three quarters and sank 10 3-pointers to win the 1A showdown between top-10 ranked teams. Junior Ella Fritts had 15 points and two 3-pointers, Shumate had 13 points and 7 rebounds, senior Alisa Scott and junior Estela Hernandez had 7 points each, and senior Danya Dykstra added 6 points. On Friday, the LC defense limited the Borderites to eight points through three quarters to secure the road victory. Shumate had led the way with 19 points and 8 rebounds; Fritts had 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists; and freshman Tara Dykstra had 7 points. On Saturday, the Lyncs held the Spartans to 20 points through three quarters and coasted to the non-league win over a team that had won eight of its last nine games. Shumate had another big game with 20 points and 8 rebounds, Danya Dykstra had 10 points thanks to three 3-pointers and also collected 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Hernandez also had a trio of 3s for 9 points, Fritts and sophomore Jocelyn Eshuis had 6 points each, and Eshuis secured 7 rebounds.
LUMMI NATION chopped down Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood) on Tuesday, 65-9, had its Thursday game at Tulalip Heritage postponed until Friday, Jan. 17, and then knocked off Taholah on Saturday, 59-45. On Tuesday, Lummi Nation jumped to a 19-3 lead and easily downed the Eagles. Six of the seven Lady Blackhawks who suited up scored with Rabang’s 17 points leading the way. She also had 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Junior Kashlyn Mack had 16 points, 5 steals, and rebounds; James had 15 points, 5 steals, and 3 assists; freshman Celestine James had 8 points and 9 rebounds; and junior Bri Metteba had 7 points. On Saturday against a strong Chitwins team, Lummi Nation came out even stronger with an 18-4 first quarter to take the non-league contest. Jemma James had 21 points, three 3-pointers, 5 steals, and 13 rebounds despite being only 5-foot-3; Rabang had a great all-around game with 16 points including an 8-for-8 performance at the line, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals; Mack had 13 points including a pair of key 3-pointers in the first period as well as 4 steals; and Metteba added 7 points.
SQUALICUM defeated Ferndale on Monday, 49-35, and Mount Baker on Saturday, 50-38. On Monday, the Storm defense held Ferndale to 21 points through three quarters and was up by 20 points in the fourth period. Thompson led a balanced sophomore attack with 19 points and 5 steals, Carli Kiesau had 9 points, Lexi Robbins had 8 points, Addison Kettman had 6 points, and Jazmin Singh-Sanchez had 8 rebounds. On Saturday, nine of 11 Storm players got in the scoring column as Squalicum outscored the Mounties, 19-1, in the third quarter to build a 25-point lead and coast to victory. Freshman Kai Perez led the way with 14 points and 8 rebounds, senior Loretta Murphy-Kangas had 12 points, and Robbins had 8 points and 9 assists. For the story and photos from Monday’s game, click on Squalicum girls.
BELLINGHAM defeated Oak Harbor on Tuesday, 49-23, in the Bayhawks’ only game. Bellingham’s defense held the Wildcats to only 14 points over the final three quarters as the Bayhawks kept Oak Harbor winless in league play. Junior Alexyce Evans had five 3-pointers to account for her team-high 15 points; sophomore Merritt Jensen had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals; senior Jenny Ruano had 9 points; and senior Malia Hanks had 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
LYNDEN smothered Sedro-Woolley on Wednesday, 79-16, in the Lions’ only game. The Lynden defense held the Cubs to their lowest point total of the season, and the Lynden offense shot 67 percent from the field. Parcher led the way with 20 points and 7 rebounds, junior Payton Mills had 12 points and 6 rebounds, junior Degitu Bowler had 11 points, and sophomore Lexi Hermanutz had 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals.
MOUNT BAKER beat Blaine on Wednesday, 53-37, but lost to Squalicum on Saturday, 50-38. On Wednesday, the Mounties used a 12-3 advantage in the third quarter to pull away from the Borderites. Soares dominated inside with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 steals. Senior Faith Wilson and junior Reace Brown had 7 points each with Brown also pulling down 6 rebounds, sophomore Lily Reeves hit two 3-pointers for 6 points and grabbed 5 steals, and freshman Aurora George had 5 points. On Saturday, the Mounties had a 19-point fourth quarter but only managed 19 points through the first three quarters in falling to the Storm. Soares had 11 points thanks to hitting 9 of 11 from the free throw line, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Freshman Rian Harkness and George had 6 points each with George sinking a pair of 3-pointers, and freshman Kalyn Abitia had 4 assists. For the story and photos from Wednesday’s game, click on Mount Baker girls.
NOOKSACK VALLEY defeated Sehome on Tuesday, 39-32, but lost to Burlington-Edison on Thursday, 51-46. On Tuesday, the Pioneers held Sehome to two points in the second quarter and held off the Mariners in a defensive struggle. Senior Kate Shintaffer had 16 points and 6 rebounds; junior Payton Bartl had 14 points, three 3-pointers, and 3 assists; junior Chayleigh Davis had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals; and junior Grace DeHoog had 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. On Thursday, the Pioneers rallied in the final period but couldn’t make up a nine-point deficit in falling to the Tigers. Davis led Nooksack with 18 points, Shintaffer hit four 3-pointers for 14 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, and DeHoog had 9 points and 12 rebounds.
SEHOME lost to Nooksack Valley on Tuesday, 39-32, but came back to beat Oak Harbor on Friday, 59-19. On Tuesday, the Mariners struggled on offense and only managed five points in the fourth quarter. Turrell led Sehome with 9 points, and sophomore May Madera had 6 points on two 3-pointers. On Friday, the Sehome defense held the Wildcats to their second lowest point total of the season in notching the easy victory. Turrell almost outscored Oak Harbor by herself with 18 points. She also had 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Sophomore Elysa Panagos had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists; junior Aspen Barge had 9 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots; sophomore Sadie Gustafson had 8 points; and Madera added 7 points.
FERNDALE lost to Squalicum on Monday, 49-35; bounced back to beat Everett on Tuesday, 62-45; but lost to Mount Vernon on Thursday, 52-34. On Monday, the Golden Eagles only managed 21 points through the first three quarters and couldn’t make up the difference in falling to the Storm. Juniors Kayla Washington and Jillea Fox had 13 and 12 points, respectively, with Washington adding 9 rebounds and Fox collecting 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. On Tuesday, the Golden Eagles outscored the Seagulls 18-5 to start the game and cruised to the non-league victory. Larrabee shined with 18 points, 10 steals, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fox had 16 points and 11 rebounds, junior Abbey White had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and sophomore Kenzie Dawson had 5 assists and 4 steals. On Thursday, the Golden Eagles were down by one heading into the fourth period but couldn’t overcome foul trouble and cold shooting in dropping the key 3A contest. Fox had 13 points and sank 6 of 7 free throws, and Larrabee had 11 points, but no other Golden Eagle had more than four points. For the story and photos from Monday’s game, click on Ferndale girls.
BLAINE fell to Mount Baker on Wednesday, 53-37, and to Lynden Christian on Friday, 56-15. On Wednesday, sophomore Kate Koreski led Blaine with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, and was 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Junior Brietta Sandell had 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers, senior Brie Smith had 8 points, and junior Aaliyah Bowman added 7 rebounds. On Friday, the Borderites weren’t able to get much going on offense against the Lyncs. Sandell was the only Borderite to score more than two points, collecting 7 points thanks to a pair of 3-pointers. For the story and photos from Wednesday’s game, click on Blaine girls.
MERIDIAN lost to Lynden Christian on Monday, 65-25, and to Anacortes on Thursday, 47-39. On Monday, the Trojans never solved LC’s defense and had their lowest point total of the season. Freshman Melanie Short had 9 points but was the only Trojan with more than four points. Senior Brooklyn Fuller had 4 assists, and sophomore Maddy Swanson had 3 steals. On Thursday, the Trojans were tied at halftime but only managed 12 points in the second half in the loss to the Seahawks. Fuller sank 8 of 9 free throws for a team-high 10 points; senior Sofia Brooks had 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals; Short had 8 points and 5 rebounds; and sophomore Kaitlyn Storgaard had 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
NOTE: A big thank you to the coaches and Tyler Anderson of WhatcomPreps.com for providing statistics.
WEEK 7
TOP GAME
Three of our four classifications have big showdowns this week. Meridian is at Nooksack Valley in a key 1A contest on Monday, Ferndale hosts Sedro-Woolley in 3A action on Wednesday, and on Friday, Lynden is at Burlington-Edison in a battle of 2A leaders.
SCHEDULE
Monday, Jan. 13: Bellingham at Lakewood, Mount Vernon at Squalicum, Meridian at Nooksack Valley
Tuesday, Jan. 14: Mount Baker at Lynden Christian, Blaine at Anacortes, Lummi Nation at Providence Classical Christian
Wednesday, Jan. 15: Lynden at Sehome, Sedro-Woolley at Ferndale
Thursday, Jan. 16: Oak Harbor at Meridian, Lummi Nation at Shoreline Christian
Friday, Jan. 17: Lynden at Burlington-Edison, Ferndale at Bellingham, Sehome at Lakewood, Lummi Nation at Tulalip Heritage, Nooksack Valley at Cascade (Leavenworth)
Saturday, Jan. 18: Lynden Christian at Squalicum, Anacortes at Mount Baker, Orcas Island at Lummi Nation
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
League | Overall | |||
W | L | W | L | |
Lynden | 6 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Lynden Christian | 6 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
Nooksack Valley | 6 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
Burlington-Edison | 5 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
Anacortes | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
Meridian | 4 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
Squalicum | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Ferndale | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
Mount Vernon | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
Sedro-Woolley | 3 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
Sehome | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
Bellingham | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Lakewood | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
Mount Baker | 2 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Blaine | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
Oak Harbor | 0 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
NORTHWEST 1B LEAGUE
League | Overall | |||
W | L | W | L | |
Lummi Nation | 5 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
Lopez Island | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
Grace Academy | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood) | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
Providence Classical Christian | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Tulalip Heritage | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
Shoreline Christian | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 |