Happy New Year, Whatcom basketball fans! Believe it or not, we just wrapped up Week 5, which means we’re halfway through the boys basketball regular season.
So, instead of our weekly Whatcom Hoops recap, we’re going to look at each team and where they stand at the halfway point of their seasons.
Like we’ve done the past couple of years, we’ve come up with midseason report cards for each team using the following elementary school grading system:
Outstanding: Teams that have reached their high goals so far this season or that have done better than expected.
Satisfactory: Teams that are about where they were expected to be after the first half of the season and have a chance to do even better.
Needs improvement: Teams that will need to up their game in the second half of the season to reach their preseason goals.
Incomplete: Teams that are difficult to judge because of early-season scheduling, injuries, and other circumstances.
For a look at the midseason report cards for our Whatcom girls teams, check out Girls Midseason Report Cards.
Here’s where our boys teams stand after Week 5 (Dec. 30-Jan. 4):
OUTSTANDING
LUMMI NATION BLACKHAWKS
Overall record: 12-1
Northwest 1B League record: 4-0, first place
Week 5 results: Went 3-0 in the Mount Vernon Christian Holiday Tournament, beating Mount Vernon Christian on Thursday, 47-42 (Jerome Toby and Dyson Edwards 13 points each); Orcas Island on Friday, 71-38 (Edwards 22, Toby 20, Deandre James and RayShawn Bob 8 each); and La Conner on Saturday, 62-42 (Toby 24 points, Edwards 17 points, James 10 points)
Best surprise: The improvement of their big men. What was supposed to be their weakness has turned into one of their strengths thanks to the play of sophomore James and junior Tracy Powell.
Biggest challenge: Expectations. The stunning non-league victory over Class 2A Sehome showed how strong the Blackhawks can be and after being No.1 most of last season, they are once again the top-ranked 1B team. And with the NW1B League not being much of a challenge, Lummi Nation may once again head to Spokane with a great record and expectations of a state title.
Why outstanding: The Blackhawks were expected to be good (aren’t they always?). But this good? Youngsters Toby and Edwards have gotten even better and steady seniors Tony Abrams and Karson Revey are even more effective now that they can settle into their normal forward positions with the emergence of the young posts. Barring injuries, the Blackhawks will again be a state favorite.
LYNDEN LIONS
Overall record: 10-0
Northwest Conference record: 5-0, tied for first place
Week 5 results: Defeated Archbishop Murphy on Monday, 61-39 (Brant Heppner 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; Spencer Adams 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals; Ty Jorgenson 8 points, 8 rebounds), defeated Mount Vernon on Saturday, 76-53 (Heppner 39, Jorgensen 12, Jayden Navarre 9 points, Adams 7 points)
Best surprise: The backcourt. Sophomores Gordy Bedlington and Malachi Koenen and especially junior Spencer Adams barely played on last year’s state title team. Now they have provided the extra punch the Lions need to take pressure off their all-star frontcourt.
Biggest challenge: Playing without senior Jack Stapleton. The versatile 6-foot-7 post is a game-changer on both offense and defense but because of serious foot problems has seen limited playing time. When he’s in, the Lions are worthy of their No.1 ranking. But will he be rested enough come February and March?
Why outstanding: Even with all-stater Heppner returning, there were many who figured it would be a down year for Lynden — or at least not a fourth state crown in a row. Yet the Lions are where they often are — undefeated, at the top of the NWC, and improving game by game with Yakima in mind. In the toughest 2A league in the state, they still look like the cream of the crop.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN LYNCS
Overall record: 10-1
Northwest Conference record: 5-0, tied for first place
Week 5 results: Beat Burlington-Edison on Friday, 87-68 (Gannon Dykstra 33 points, Gunnar Dykstra 15 points, Dawson Hintz 15 points, Luke Van Kooten 11 points, Kaden Veldman and Carter Ahlers 6 points each)
Best surprise: The transition, and we’re not talking fastbreak transition although the Lyncs are really, really good at that. No, the transition from being an inside-out team focusing on size and strength in the paint to free up outside shooters to being an outside-in team that runs and guns to the tune of nearly 80 points a game.
Biggest challenge: Despite their outstanding start, the Lyncs face three challenges. First, their youth with three sophomore starters who have only limited experience in big games. Second, rebounding with three and often four guards on the floor. And third, Annie Wright, which will no doubt be a co-favorite come 1A state tourney time.
Why outstanding: The Lyncs have passed every test so far this season. Even their 92-90 loss to 4A Arlington could easily have gone the other way. Even with the addition of Hintz off the injury list, it’ll be hard to go through the NWC gauntlet unscathed. But LC knows what it takes to be successful in Yakima. Don’t be surprised if they continue that tradition.
For the story and photos from Friday’s game, click on Lynden Christian boys.
MERIDIAN TROJANS
Overall record: 8-2
Northwest Conference record: 4-1, tied for third place
Week 5 results: Defeated Mount Baker on Saturday, 58-38 (Talon Jenkins 18 points, Jaeger Fyfe 17 points, James Hedahl 11 points)
Best surprise: That seniors Jenkins and Fyfe are among the best in the league if not the state, was no surprise. That Meridian’s supporting cast — which goes at least eight deep — comes up big every game is a pleasant surprise and why the Trojans are so dangerous every night.
Biggest challenge: The schedule. So far, so good for the Trojans, but starting this week with Lynden Christian and Anacortes, the Trojans now will be facing the best of the NWC and some of the best squads in the state in their last 10 games.
Why outstanding: Except for a fourth-quarter meltdown in a loss to Sehome, the Trojans might be atop the league standing. Their only other loss was to a good 4A Kamiak squad. But if they are to reach their goal of returning to state, they’ll need to continue playing at that high level.
For the story and photos from Saturday’s game, click on Meridian boys.
SATISFACTORY
BELLINGHAM BAYHAWKS
Overall record: 6-4
Northwest Conference record: 4-1, tied for third place
Week 5 results: Defeated Nooksack Valley on Saturday, 81-74 (Kincade Van Houten 30 points, Gabe Van Hofwegen and Harmon Wienkers 16 points each, Joe Harward 9 points)
Best surprise: Harward. For a guy who was on the JV team much of last year, the junior forward has been a perfect fit for the Bayhawks, firing up his teammates with his aggressive play on both offense and defense.
Biggest challenge: Closing out games. Except for the uncharacteristic blowout against LC, Bellingham has been in all its games, often to the closing seconds, but has struggled to put away opponents. In the uber-competitive 2A district playoffs, being close won’t be good enough.
Why satisfactory: The Bayhawks have shown signs of being in the NWC’s upper echelon and they’ll have more opportunities to prove they belong especially with Lynden and Lakewood back-to-back on Jan. 11 and 13. But if seniors VanHouten, Van Hofwegen, and Wienkers are to go out winners, the Bayhawks will need to come up big in clutch time against some of the league’s better teams.
MOUNT BAKER MOUNTIES
Overall record: 5-4
Northwest Conference record: 1-4, tied for 12th place
Week 5 results: Lost to Meridian on Saturday, 58-38 (Luke Smith 12 points, Kell Reardon 9 points, Payten Abitia 6 points)
Best surprise: How far the Mounties have come. Since many of them — seniors Smith and Darius Gilstrap, and juniors Carter Hill and Jordan Bailey, and even sophomore Reardon — have been around for years it seems, they’re still a young team with its best still ahead of them.
Biggest challenge: Believing. It’s hard to overcome a losing tradition and the Mounties haven’t had much success of late with only one trip to state in the past 11 years. But this year’s squad has the talent to overcome the odds. It won’t be easy with the loaded 1A teams this season, but the first step is to believe.
Why satisfactory: When you have a winning record and more victories in half a season than you did all of last year, it’s tempting to grade the Mounties higher. But beating Coupeville, Orcas Island, and Friday Harbor is not the same as beat Lynden Christian, Meridian, and Nooksack Valley.
For the story and photos from Saturday’s game, click on Mount Baker boys.
SEHOME MARINERS
Overall record: 4-6
Northwest Conference record: 2-3, tied for 10th place
Week 5 results: Lost to Anacortes on Friday, 65-49 (Nolan Wright 19 points, Xavier Kelley 16 points)
Best surprise: How well the Mariners have managed with basically a 6-foot-and-under team. With veterans Wright and Quincy Tanovan leading a company of short guards, Sehome has managed to beat Meridian and give LC its closest league game.
Biggest challenge: Overcoming injuries and not just any injuries but to their two best big men. Junior post Cole Turrell finally returned on Saturday and will immediately shore up Sehome’s biggest weakness, but the Mariners will still have their hands full against the league’s taller squads.
Why satisfactory: It would be easy to put the Mariners in the “needs improvement” category, but this is definitely one team that is getting the most out of its talent. And if Turrell is able to return at full strength, they should get the improvement they need to push themselves into the district conversation.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
BLAINE BORDERITES
Overall record: 2-6
Northwest Conference record: 0-5, 15th place
Week 5 results: Lost to Squalicum on Friday, 64-56 (Dulio Kanagie 12 points, Josiah Weeda 11 points, Beckham Bleazard 11 points, Landon Melton 10 points, Kai Kerwin 7 points)
Best surprise: The emergence of Dulio Kanagie. The senior forward showed potential coming off the bench last season, but this year has become one of league’s top offensive threats. His inside game combined with the shooting of senior Josiah Weeda gives the Borderites a dangerous duo to deal with.
Biggest challenge: Offense. Despite Kanagie and Weeda’s individual skills, Blaine mostly relies on slowing the game down and set plays to get points. They are still working on the new style of play, but they’ll need to pick it up quickly if they want to make some noise in the 1A playoffs.
Why needs improvement: New coach Chas Kok said from the beginning that the team was pointing toward the all-important league playoffs and only looking to improve over the season. The problem, of course, is that the other four 1A teams range from good to really good, which doesn’t leave much room for error.
FERNDALE GOLDEN EAGLES
Overall record: 4-5
Northwest Conference record: 2-2, ninth place
Week 5 results: Lost to Lakewood on Friday, 77-49 (Jonah Brillowsky 15 points, Mantaj Singh 11 points, Kaveer Dhillon 7 points)
Best surprise: The Golden Eagles’ big three — seniors Brillowsky and Hunter Wills, and junior Mantaj Singh. They’ve led Ferndale to some solid wins and barring some sort of disaster, a great chance to finish in the top three among the NWC’s Class 3A teams and earn a district berth.
Biggest challenge: Getting offensive production from everyone else. Basically, if the Golden Eagles score more than 50 they win; if less than 50, they don’t. That’s due, in part, because Ferndale plays pretty good defense. But they’ll need everyone — or at least different everyones — to contribute on offense.
Why needs improvement: Really, it has been a “satisfactory” year so far for Ferndale. But this is a team that has already shown it can be better than satisfactory. And in the very competitive 3A world populated with strong WesCo teams and Mount Vernon, the Golden Eagles will need to improve to take that next step and show they belong among the district’s best.
NOOKSACK VALLEY PIONEERS
Overall record: 4-5
Northwest Conference record: 0-5, tied for 14th place
Week 5 results: Lost to Bellingham on Saturday, 81-74 (Caden Heutink 27 points, Brady Ackerman 14 points, Tristan Kamphouse 11, Corey Olney 10 points)
Best surprise: How the team has held up without their center. An injury to senior post Ackerman could have been devastating. But behind leader Heutink and veterans Olney, Kamphouse, and Cole Coppinger, the Pioneers continue to play at a high level even though it hasn’t always translated into wins. And Ackerman is back.
Biggest challenge: Not getting discouraged. The senior-ladened team has been waiting three years for this season and it hasn’t gone the way they wanted — yet. But as every coach, including Nooksack’s Jason Heutink, reminds us, the biggest games are at the end of the season, not the beginning.
Why needs improvement: The good news is that all five league losses were to really good 3A and 2A teams. And all five games were close. But if the Pioneers are to end the 14-year state drought and wipe out the memory of last year’s last-second district defeat, they will have to be ready for the big moments coming up.
SQUALICUM STORM
Overall record: 4-5
Northwest Conference record: 1-4, tied for 12th place
Week 5 results: Beat Blaine on Friday, 64-56 (Marcus Nixon 21 points, Hunter Calloway 19 points, Jaxon Hofer 11 points, Blake Elston 7 points, Ezra Nichols 6 points)
Best surprise: Their holiday hot streak. When the Storm were struggling at the bottom of the NWC standings, they needed a boost and got it with two big victories in the Mountlake Terrace Holiday Tournament and their first league win on Friday. Combined with a close loss at Lakewood, it appears Squalicum is starting to play up to its potential.
Biggest challenge: Putting it all together. The Storm have the athletes — especially veteran standout Nixon and young standout Calloway — to give any team fits. Now they’ve had a half-season to get used to new coach David Dunham and a new style, and it seems to be coming together.
Why needs improvement: Two weeks ago, a .500 season might have been considered a success. But if the Storm can continue to improve and turn close losses into victories, this will become a dangerous team come playoff time.
WEEK 6
TOP GAMES
The Class 1A teams get serious this week starting with Lynden Christian visiting Meridian on Monday, and Blaine hosting Mount Baker on Wednesday and traveling to LC on Friday. Lummi Nation will face its biggest Northwest 1B League test when the Blackhawks are at undefeated Tulalip Heritage on Thursday.
SCHEDULE
Monday, Jan. 6: Mount Baker at South Whidbey, Lynden Christian at Meridian, Squalicum at Ferndale
Tuesday, Jan. 7: Oak Harbor at Bellingham, Nooksack Valley at Sehome, Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood) at Lummi Nation
Wednesday, Jan. 8: Lynden at Sedro-Woolley, Cedarcrest at Squalicum, Blaine at Mount Baker
Thursday, Jan. 9: Mount Vernon at Ferndale, Meridian at Anacortes, Burlington-Edison at Nooksack Valley, Lummi Nation at Tulalip Heritage
Friday, Jan. 10: Blaine at Lynden Christian, Sehome at Oak Harbor
Saturday, Jan. 11: Bellingham at Lynden, Mount Baker at Squalicum, Ferndale at Anacortes
NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
| League | Overall | |||
| W | L | W | L | |
| Lynden | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Lynden Christian | 5 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Belllingham | 4 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Lakewood | 4 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Meridian | 4 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| Anacortes | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| Burlington-Edison | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| Sedro-Woolley | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Ferndale | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Mount Vernon | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Sehome | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Mount Baker | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Squalicum | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Blaine | 0 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Nooksack Valley | 0 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Oak Harbor | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
NORTHWEST 1B LEAGUE
| League | Overall | |||
| W | L | W | L | |
| Lummi Nation | 4 | 0 | 12 | 1 |
| Tulalip Heritage | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Lopez Island | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Grace Academy | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Shoreline Christian | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Providence Classical Christian | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
