It will be hard to top last year’s incredible finish when Nooksack Valley and Lynden won state championships in dramatic fashion. But don’t be surprised if the Whatcom girls teams once again prove they are the class of the state.
The Lions will definitely be the favorites in a strong Class 2A state field as well as a competitive Northwest Conference. Joining them will be perennial favorite Lynden Christian, which was one basket away from reaching the Class 1A state championship game for the sixth straight time.
And while youth is definitely being served on all 11 squads, it appears that the NWC and the Northwest 1B League will be more balanced this season meaning fewer blowouts and stronger competition all around.
The bottom line: It should be another exciting season for our Whatcom girls. Here’s a look at each team:
For a preview of this season’s changes, check out New Season Brings New Changes.
For the upcoming boys preview, check out Boys Preview.
Junior Mary Lockhart
Bellingham Bayhawks
Last season: 3-17 overall, 1-14 in NWC
Top returnees: Malia Hanks (Sr.), Mary Lockhart (Jr.), Lily Jude (Jr.), Merritt Jensen (So.), Alexyce Evans (Jr.), Avery Manning (Jr.)
Top newcomer: Jenny Ruano (Sr.)
Outlook: First-year coach Ken McLendon stated that the Bayhawks’ objective is to win a state title. While perhaps unrealistic this season considering the challenges and competition, his goal of turning Bellingham’s program into a winner is certainly within reach. All-Whatcom Hoops post Lockhart and veteran guard Hanks lead a starting lineup that returns intact, and an experienced junior class along with some talented youngsters bodes well for the future.
Coach Ken McLendon’s quote: “Our basketball program has been known for one thing for so long. It’s time that we’re known for the other thing. We’re coming!”
Sophomore Marcella Bring
Blaine Borderites
Last season: 11-11 overall, 6-9 in NWC
Top returnee: Marcella Bring (So.)
Top newcomers: Brie Smith (Sr.), Olivia Price (Sr.), Bailey Baas (Sr.), Olivia Tanjuaquio (Jr.), Aaliyah Bowman (Jr.), Brietta Sandell (Jr.), Bea Dickson (Jr.), Mesa Puls (Jr.), Azarela Gutierrez (Jr.), Kate Koreski (So.), Dilpreet Samra (So.)
Outlook: No team in the conference — perhaps in the history of the conference — has faced a more difficult challenge than Blaine, which graduated not only its starting lineup but lost all but one player from its entire program. Yet the Borderites not only have a varsity team but recruited 11 new players to join Bring, most of whom are letter-winners in other sports. Their enthusiasm and hunger may not translate into many victories, but this is a team that will end up being winners no matter what their record.
Coach Vic Wolffis’s quote: “It will be fun and challenging to see what kind of success this team can bring out in each other and as one unit. If success is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have done your best to become the best you are capable of becoming (John Wooden), then my mind has been at peace each night, and our players’ minds should be as well. I love the way they are pursuing this opportunity.”
Junior Jillea Fox
Ferndale Golden Eagles
Last season: 11-10 overall, 9-6 in NWC
Top returnees: Jillea Fox (Jr.), Kayla Washington (Jr.), Abbey White (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Olivia Smetana (Sr.), Isabella Vargas (Sr.), Brooklyn Larrabee (So.), Kenzie Dawson (So.), Kayla Lee (So.), Ari Gilday (Fr.)
Outlook: Once again, the Golden Eagles need to rebuild around a solid group of classmates. This season it is their junior class led by all-Whatcom Hoops standouts Fox and Washington, who are tough matchups inside and outside, and White, a key reserve on last season’s team. But it will be the improvement of the inexperienced newcomers that will determine if Ferndale can return to the tough 3A playoffs.
Coach Terri Yost’s quote: “This is a great group of girls who play for each other. They are quick, gritty and work well together on the court. We are excited for our season together.”
Junior Ailina Rabang
Lummi Nation Blackhawks
Last season: 18-9 overall, 10-0 in Northwest 1B, Class 1B state appearance
Top returnees: Robyn Jones (Sr.), Graciela Kapunit-Lopez (Sr.), Ailina Rabang (Jr.), Brianna Metteba (Jr.), Jemma James (So.)
Top newcomer: Kashlyn Mack (Jr.)
Outlook: Having graduated much of the inside game that helped them sweep through the Northwest 1B League, the Blackhawks will be small, quick, and guard-oriented. But what guards to have. James is an all-state-quality point guard and shooting guard Rabang was a big reason for Lummi Nation’s playoff run that sent them back to Spokane. Although they’ll be young, most of the team is returning and another trip to state could be in their future.
Coach Krista Mahle’s quote: “All our coaches and players are excited to be back in the gym for the 2024-2025 season.”
Senior Kiki York
Lynden Lions
Last season: 27-1 overall, 14-1 in NWC, Class 2A state champion
Top returnees: Payton Mills (Jr.), Rian Stephan (Jr.), Kiki York (Sr.), Finley Parcher (So.), Degitu Bowler (Jr.), Lexi Hermanutz (So.)
Top newcomers: Resse Nyhoff (Jr.), Jules Slayton (Jr.)
Outlook: With all-state post Mills and all-state guard Parcher able to dominate any game by themselves, the Lions are state contenders. But what makes Lynden a favorite to repeat even in the super-competitive Class 2A ranks is a team grittiness exemplified by tough athletes like York, Stephan, and Hermanutz. Barring injuries this could be another historic season for the Lions.
Coach Rob Adams’s quote: “We’re excited about the upcoming season. Each year, every team starts out 0-0 with great aspirations of what they want their season to look like. We are excited about earning the opportunity to compete each night. ‘Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day!’ One must pay the rent by making sacrifices, being disciplined, and making others around them better.”
Senior Allison Shumate
Lynden Christian Lyncs
Last season: 20-8 overall, 12-3 in NWC, Class 1A third at state
Top returnees: Ella Fritts (Jr.), Allison Shumate (Sr.), Danya Dykstra (Sr.), Estela Hernandez (Jr.), Sara Van Loo (Jr.), Kayla Yun (Jr.), Ellie Pierce (So.)
Top newcomers: Alisa Scott (Sr.), Jocelyn Eshuis (So.), Tyra Dykstra (Fr.)
Outlook: After graduating only one senior, it appeared the Lyncs would return to their usual place as 1A state favorites — that is until another ACL injury ended all-state guard Grace Hintz’s prep career (although she will continue playing at Montana State). Fortunately for LC, it is far from a one-star team with all-Whatcom Hoops guard Fritts and post Shumate among the league’s best, and veterans Danya Dykstra, Hernandez, and Van Loo leading another deep and athletic group of Lyncs with sights set on the gold ball.
Coach Brady Bomber’s quote: “We are excited to get back on the court this winter. Our team has been working hard and is hungry to improve.”
Senior Brooklyn Fuller
Meridian Trojans
Last season: 7-17 overall, 5-10 in NWC
Top returnees: Brooklyn Fuller (Sr.), Taya Benson (Jr.), Kinsley Neal (Jr.), Amelia Koning (So.), Eden Bernardy (So.), Maddy Swanson (So.)
Top newcomers: Melanie Short (Fr.), Kaitlyn Storgaard (So.)
Outlook: For the past three years, Meridian has been the victim of the district’s two-state-berths limit and the domination of Nooksack Valley and Lynden Christian, finishing third and watching the Pioneers and Lyncs win state titles. Once again, the Trojans will be mostly small but scrappy — as personified by all-Whatcom Hoops point guard Fuller and Bernardy — and with a roster that is two-thirds sophomores and freshmen will rely heavily on Fuller and fellow veterans Neal and Benson. With only one senior, however, the Trojans’ expect to have only good days ahead.
Coach Bree Joy’s quote: “These girls truly work so hard, come to compete day in and day out, and are just a joy to be around. Each game will be an opportunity to improve as one unit. If we continue to keep the team-first mentality, then I think we will be thrilled with where we end up this season.”
Senior Faith Wilson
Mount Baker Mounties
Last season: 3-18 overall, 2-13 in NWC
Top returnees: Faith Wilson (Sr.), Reace Brown (Jr.)
Top newcomer: Rebeca Soares (So.)
Outlook: With their top two players transferring and two other starters graduating, it appeared to be a rebuilding year for the Mounties. Fortunately, help was on the way. Soares, the youngest daughter of Mount Baker legend Susan Anderson and sister of Jessica and Stephanie Soares who led the Mounties to the 2017 state championship, is bringing her skills to Deming. The 6-foot-2 post was a member of Brazil’s U16 national team and will be a difficult matchup for any opponent. Still, except for returning starter Wilson, the Mounties will be young and inexperienced, a difficult combination in the ultra-competitive NWC.
Coach Tiffany Ramirez’s quote: “With only a few returners from last year’s varsity, we are a lot of fresh faces looking to make our mark. We are young, but there is a lot of heart and fight in these girls.”
Senior Kate Shintaffer
Nooksack Valley Pioneers
Last season: 26-1 overall, 15-0 in NWC, Class 1A state champion
Top returnees: Kate Shintaffer (Sr.), Grace DeHoog (Jr.), Payton Bartl (Jr.), Chayleigh Davis (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Raegan Burke (So.), Peyton Duque (So.), Kaitlyn Biondolillo (So.), Natileah Harmon (Fr.), Lisette Flores (Fr.)
Outlook: With the legendary Valley Girls gone, leaving behind Nooksack’s first two state championships and four years of exciting memories, it’s time for the Pioneers to move on. Talented veterans Shintaffer, DeHoog, Bartl, and Davis will step up after being important pieces in last year’s title team, but the Pioneers’ fortunes will depend on lots of youngsters fitting in. Don’t expect a three-peat but don’t be surprised if there’s still more Yakima success come March.
Coach Shane Wichers’s quote: “We are working really hard to get the newcomers up to speed in our system of play. Our goal will be to reach our potential like it always has been. A new group of players coming together takes trust and hard work. We are working hard, and we are growing our trust in each other every day.”
Junior Aspen Barge
Sehome Mariners
Last season: 14-11 overall, 10-5 in NWC
Top returnees: Aspen Barge (Jr.), Kate Schroeder (So.), Gwen Gates (Jr.), Keira Reeves (Jr.), Elyse Panagos (So.)
Top newcomers: Taylor Turrell (Fr.)
Outlook: It was a disappointing end for the outstanding class of 2024, which placed third in district, just missing a return trip to Yakima. With seven seniors and the entire starting lineup graduating, Sehome will need to reload without any returning senior leadership and minimal varsity experience. Still, with returnees Barge and Schroeder leading the way, the young Mariners will be athletic and a dangerous team later in the season.
Coach Kim Stensgar’s quote: “We will be young, and we lack experience at the varsity level, but we make up for what we lack with hustle and heart.”
Senior Loretta Murphy-Kangas
Squalicum Storm
Last season: 15-9 overall, 9-6 in NWC
Top returnees: Loretta Murphy-Kangas (Sr.), Addison Kettman (So.), Carli Kiesau (So.), Lexi Robbins (So.), Tiana Thompson (So.), Jazmin Singh-Sanchez (So.), Jolie Paz (Jr.).
Top newcomers: Kai Perez (Fr.), Colee Harper (So.), Peyton Horst (So.), Lola Gibbs (So.), Audrey Blue (So.)
Outlook: The Storm are making “history” their theme this year, which is appropriate after last year’s 15-win season. But with only one senior and one junior, it’s hard not to look to the future. Veteran Murphy-Kangas will be a force inside, but it’s a talented sophomore class led by Kiesau and Kettman that make Squalicum special and a contender to break into the NWC elite.
Coach Jenalyn Brown’s quote: “Our past is our greatness, our present our strength, our future is endless. Squalicum is a newish school with many records still to be attained. Last season, we tied for the second-best season in Squalicum girls basketball history. This year, we’ll aim high to crush records and get on the map as a contending team in the league.”
