Whatcom County Girls & Boys High School Basketball
Boys Preview: Lynden, LC, Lummi Favored Again
With most of Whatcom County’s boys basketball teams hit hard by either graduation, injury, or both, it may come as no surprise that the favorites are the usual suspects — Lynden, Lynden Christian, and Lummi Nation. Last season, the Lions swept through the Northwest Conference undefeated before faltering in Yakima, Lynden Christian reached the Class 1A state title game, and Lummi Nation did that one better by winning the Class 1B state championship. And all … Read More »
Girls Preview: Lynden Still At Head Of Improved Field
After last season’s emphasis on youth, it’s no surprise that all 11 Whatcom County girls teams will be returning a majority of their squads and each figures to be improved heading into this season. Leading the way is the team that will have the most difficult time improving — undefeated state champion Lynden. Yet having graduated only one starter and one reserve, the Lions could be even better and will be favored to win their … Read More »
New Hoops Season Brings New Changes
The 2025-26 season tips off this Saturday, Nov. 29, and Whatcom basketball fans are looking forward to another exciting and successful year. Will it be as extraordinary as last season when all 22 of our teams reached the playoffs, eight earned state berths, five took home state trophies, and two — the Lummi Nation boys and Lynden girls — claimed state championships? Only time will tell. But before our boys and girls battle for Northwest … Read More »
Is This The Golden Age of Whatcom County Basketball?
In the long and storied history of Whatcom County high school basketball there have been a lot of amazing teams and incredible seasons that have ended with our local boys and girls raising state championship trophies. But in the 102 years since the very first Washington state tournament, there has never been an era when our county’s teams dominated as much as they have in recent seasons. Without a doubt, we are in the Golden … Read More »
Four New Varsity Girls Coaches This Season
There will be four new varsity head coaches on the sidelines this season with each having deep ties to Whatcom County. We want to welcome and get to know new head coaches Kayla Bernsen of Meridian, Drew McFall of Bellingham, Caden Mee of Squalicum, and Sean Miller of Blaine. Here’s a look at each of our new coaches: Kayla Bernsen, Meridian girls Background: The 33-year-old Bernsen teaches English and Latinos in Action at Meridian High … Read More »
It’s Official! We Still Need More Officials
With basketball turnouts beginning for our boys and girls high school teams this week, the cry once again goes out for the most important people on the courts: the officials. When the pandemic and retirements cut the number of officials to about half of what it was before 2020, the lack of officials had a great effect on games, including forcing some varsity contests to be rescheduled and the limiting of officiating crews at lower … Read More »
Hoops Are Here! And So Are Answers To Your FAQs
The 2025-26 high school basketball season has begun as our 22 Whatcom County varsity teams had their first turnouts and practices on Monday, Nov. 17. While the first games won’t tip off until Nov. 29 and most squads won’t get into full swing until the first week of December, that doesn’t mean the players, coaches, and Whatcom Hoops are sitting idly by. So as another exciting season starts, here are some of the most frequently … Read More »
Check Out Where 2025 Seniors Will Play Next Year
With our Whatcom high school seniors graduating in the next couple of weeks, it’s the perfect time to honor them one last time and see where your favorite players are planning to attend college next year to play basketball. Here are members of the Class of 2025 who have announced where they will be going this fall. And good luck to all of them. JONAH BRILLOWSKY SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE The Ferndale big man will take … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Girls Top 30: #1 Finley Parcher
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops wraps up its ranking of the top 30 girls. Each day we featured an amazing player in our county, and today we finish by honoring the best of the best. #1 Finley Parcher, sophomore, Lynden WHY SHE’S #1: She’s the best because there is no aspect of the game that she isn’t great at. The 6-foot guard can score inside, outside and everywhere in-between; rebound … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Boys Top 30: #1 Brant Heppner
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops wraps up its ranking of the top 30 boys. Each day we featured an amazing player in our county, and today we finish by honoring the best of the best. #1 Brant Heppner, senior, Lynden WHY HE’S #1: The 6-foot-6 forward dominated every game he played with his deadly 3-point shot, mid-range marksmanship, or power moves at the rim, averaging nearly 23 points, 8 rebounds, … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Girls Top 30: #2 Payton Mills
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops is ranking the top 30 girls. Each day we’ll feature an amazing player in our county and count down until we get to #1. So join us daily as we honor the best of the best. #2 Payton Mills, junior, Lynden WHY SHE’S #2: No one is more of a matchup problem perhaps in the state than the 6-foot-2 forward. She can post up anyone … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Boys Top 30: #2 Gannon Dykstra
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops is ranking the top 30 boys. Each day we’ll feature an amazing player in our county and count down until we get to #1. So join us daily as we honor the best of the best. #2 Gannon Dykstra, senior, Lynden Christian WHY HE’S #2: The ultra-skilled 6-foot-1 guard was the unstoppable engine for the Lyncs’ league-leading scoring machine and his numbers alone were impressive … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Girls Top 30: #3 Rebeca Soares
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops is ranking the top 30 girls. Each day we’ll feature an amazing player in our county and count down until we get to #1. So join us daily as we honor the best of the best. #3 Rebeca Soares, sophomore, Mount Baker WHY SHE’S #3: Rarely does a newcomer to the ultra-competitive Northwest Conference live up to the hype, but the skilled 6-foot-2 transfer from … Read More »
Whatcom Hoops Boys Top 30: #3 Jerome Toby Jr.
In an incredible season filled with outstanding players, Whatcom Hoops is ranking the top 30 boys. Each day we’ll feature an amazing player in our county and count down until we get to #1. So join us daily as we honor the best of the best. #3 Jerome Toby Jr., junior, Lummi Nation WHY HE’S #3: This past March, the rest of the state learned what anyone who has seen Lummi Nation basketball the past … Read More »