LYNDEN CHRISTIAN

LYNCS

Coach: Roger DeBoer (third season)

Last year: Tied for fourth in the Northwest Conference with a 9-4 conference mark. Won the 1A Tri-District Tournament title to advance to state and went on to claim the fifth state title in the program's history and finish with a 24-4 record overall.

Players to watch: Isaac Reimer (sr. F), Nathan Meppelink (sr. G), Dustin Brandsma (sr. F), Daulton Hommes (so. G)

Outlook: Though the Lyncs graduated some terrific leaders off last year's team, they still return a ton. The most crucial returnee, of course, is reigning 1A State Player of the Year Reimer, who averaged a team-high 17.8 points per game last year. Brandsma, who was second on the team with 8.6 points per game and played huge in the state tournament, also is back, making LC a force in the paint. "Our strength is our bigs, without a doubt," DeBoer said in a phone interview. "We have two talented inside people. Our depth is pretty good elsewhere, though. We have a number of kids that are tournament ready." Included among them are Meppelink (6.6 points per game) and Hommes (2.5). Meppelink also could be a force on the defensive end for LC. "I think a lot of it comes down to is how well we can blend our experience with some new players and make up for the leadership that left when our seniors graduated last year," DeBoer said. "That's the biggest hurdle for us. I'm excited about our chemistry, though. We've got some amazing kids, and I'm excited."

ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Ht. Pos.

13 Nathan Meppelink Sr. 6-3 G

15 Zach Roetcisoender Fr. 6-0 G

21 Levi Vander Yacht Sr. 6-0 G

23 Truman Van Dalen Sr. 6-2 G

25 Daulton Hommes So. 6-1 G

31 Jamie Heystek Jr. 5-11 G

33 Grant Wolffis Jr. 6-1 G

35 Josh Hornstra Jr. 6-2 F

41 Dustin Brandsma Sr. 6-4 F

43 Willy Scholten Sr. 6-1 F

45 Isaac Reimer Sr. 6-8 F

SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 Ferndale W 64-43

Dec. 6 Santa Fe Christian (at Arizona) L 54-51

Dec. 7 Northwest Christian (at Arizona) W 68-41

Dec. 8 Bretheren Christian (at Arizona) TBD

Dec. 11 Burlington-Edison 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 14 Blaine* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 18 at Bellingham* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 21 Mount Baker* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 27 Lynden Christmas Classic TBD

Dec. 28 Lynden Christmas Classic TBD

Jan. 3 at Burlington-Edison* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 Anacortes* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Lynden* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 at Ferndale* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 19 at Friday Harbor 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 at Sedro-Woolley* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 Meridian* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 26 at Nooksack Valley* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 Squalicum* 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 at Sehome* 7:15 p.m.

*NWC game

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.