Whatcom Hoops Top 30 Boys: #5 Matt Russ

In a season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops ranked the top 30 boys. 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.

#5

Matt Russ, senior, Blaine

WHY HE’S #5: A human highlight film with his big-time dunks and blocks, Russ was as exciting a player as the Northwest Conference had. But the 6-foot-5 forward was much more than just his 15.4 scoring average. He wasn’t afraid to involve his teammates, averaging an impressive 5 assists a game, or to do the dirty work. He pulled down more than 9 rebounds a game and was an excellent defender on opposing teams’ best big men. It was no surprise he was a first-team all-Northwest Conference pick, a first-team all-state tournament choice after leading the Borderites to a third-place finish, and a member of Scorebook Live’s Class 1A all-state second team.

COACH NATE SULLIVAN: “Matt has incredible awareness and often found open teammates when double-teamed. This opened up scoring for himself. He also was our primary rebounder.”

Links to the Whatcom Hoops Top 30

#1: Anthony Canales, Lynden

#2: Tyler Sipma, Lynden Christian

#3: Grant Kepley, Sehome

#4: Grey Garrison, Sehome

#5: Matt Russ, Blaine

#6: Jeremiah Wright, Lynden Christian

#7: Coston Parcher, Lynden

#8: Richard Wilson, Lummi Nation

#9: Lucas Smith, Blaine

#10: Jaeger Fyfe, Meridian

#11: Jerome Toby, Lummi Nation

#12: Ashton Engelhart, Squalicum

#13: Kobe Baar, Lynden

#14: Wyatt Stephan, Bellingham

#15: Griffin Dykstra, Lynden Christian

#16: Carson Lehnert, Blaine

#17: Brant Heppner, Lynden

#18: Mat Storms, Sehome

#19: Brady Ackerman, Nooksack Valley 

#20: Hunter Jones, Meridian 

#21: Xander Sledge, Squalicum 

#22: Dawson Bouma, Lynden Christian

#23: Talon Jenkins, Meridian

#24: Bennett DeLange, Nooksack Valley 

#25: Ethan Larson, Mount Baker 

#26: Damien Toney, Ferndale

#27: Peter Albert, Squalicum

#28: Isaac Lawrence, Sehome 

#29: Lane Dykstra, Lynden Christian

#30: Trey Smiley, Lynden

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