MOUNT VERNON - When fans talk about Lynden having "only" two seniors, they sometimes forget about the second senior.
Starting senior forward Nate Wielenga had a game-high 17 points while making his first four shots as the Lions (20-4) claimed a 64-51 victory over Anacortes (17-7) in the third-place game of the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament on Saturday, Feb 18., at Mount Vernon High School.
Sixth man Lucas Jacob, however, played the game of his dreams to cap an outstanding tournament with the first double-double of his career. Jacob had 11 points and 10 rebounds, giving him 41 points as Lynden went 3-1 for the tournament.
"This is just a fun time and that's my first double-double," Jacob said. "The guys were sharing the ball really well and everyone played very well."
There was no pressure in this game, which was played for seeding purposes. Lynden earned the Northwest District No. 3 seed and will play Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. against District 2/3 No. 1 at Mount Tahoma High School. That is a state regional loser-out game.
Lynden coach Brian Roper could not have been prouder of his team in the third quarter, when the Lions raced from a 24-22 halftime lead to a 50-35 advantage after three quarters. Lucas could not have been more correct about everyone playing well in that third quarter.
Wielenga, who had the team's only two 3-pointers in the first half, got the rally going with a steal and a shot off the glass. Zach Vis then scored on a drive and converted a 3-point play. Matt Meyer followed with a muscle shot and Jacob took a pass from Vis to cap a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the third period.
Dak Shagren and John Shine had four points apiece in the third quarter, and Jacob had six. Point guard Josh Kraght had three assists during one of Lynden's best quarters of the season as the Lions shot 10 for 15 from the field.
The Lions removed all doubt in the fourth quarter by outscoring the Seahawks 10 to 5 in the first three minutes. Meyer and Shagren scored on a rebound and Shine took a sweet pass from Wielenga for a 56-73 lead.
Meyer and Wielenga then scored to remove all doubt at 60-40 with 4:50 remaining.
The Northwest Conference champions finished with a 40-point second half.
In the four tournament games, including a 51-43 loss to Squalicum in the second round, the Lions had six outstanding offensive performances, lead by Wielenga's 56 points. Jacob had 41 points, Shagren had 42, Vis had 36, Meyer had 29 and Shine had 28 in a remarkable display of team balance.
Anacortes, as the No. 4 seed, will play Friday at 8 p.m. at Tumwater High School against District 4 top seed River Ridge.
LYNDEN 64, ANACORTES 51
Anacortes 14 8 13 16 - 51
Lynden 11 13 26 14 - 64
Anacortes: Ty Johnson 6, Zach Vance 0, Andy Medelia 5, Matt Welliver 9, A.J. Yost 8, Justin Hansen 2, Matt Aldridge 0, Sam D'Amelio 6, Billy King 12, Cody Myers 3, Cody Culp 0,, Alex Luevanos 0. Team totals: 18-54 10-20 51.
Lynden: Josh Kraght 4, Lucas Jacob 11, Zach Vis 5, Kyle Mark 0, John Shine 10, Dak Shagren 8, Jaremy Martin 1, Nate Wielenga 17, Jalani Phelps 0, Scott Hastings 2, Matt Meyer 6, Bret DeGraaff 0. Team totals: 24-54 13-16 64.
3-ptg: Anacortes 7 (Ty Johnson 2, Sam D'Amelio 2), Lynden 2 (Nate Wielenga 2). Rebounds: Anacortes 23 (A.J. Yost 9), Lynden 36 (Lucas Jacob 11). Assists: Anacortes 5 (Matt Welliver 2), Lynden 10 (Lucas Jacob 3, Josh Kraght 3). Fouls: Anacortes 17, Lynden 16. Turnovers: N/A.
