LYNDEN

LIONS

Coach: Brian Roper (eighth season)

Last year: Won the Northwest Conference title with a 12-1 conference mark. Finished third in the 2A Northwest District to advance to state. Went on to claim the eighth state title in school history and finished with a 24-4 record overall.

Players to watch: Josh Kraght (sr. G), John Shine (sr. G), Dak Shagren (sr. G), Zach Vis (sr. F), Matt Meyer (sr. C), Jaremy Martin (jr. F), Kyle Mark (sr. F), Scott Hastings (so. C), Jalani Phelps (jr. F)

Outlook: The Lions did graduate their leading scorer from last year - Nate Wielenga (13.7 points per game) - but they return 11 of the 13 players they had on their state roster last year, including six players that saw plenty of varsity action and four regular starters - Kraght (3.3), Vis (6.4), Shagren (10.9) and Meyer (9.5). "I think John Shine has really come on since the end of last season," Roper said in a phone interview. "I think he's one of the most improved players that we have. He's a do-it-all guy. He can score, rebound and defend, and he's a very savvy player." Add in Martin, Mark, Phelps and Hastings, and Lynden's got the ability to go eight or nine deep. "One of the real strengths of our team is the depth of talent that we have," Roper said. "I would be comfortable playing any of the 13 guys on our varsity roster." And with that much talent and the well-known competitive fire that Lynden's seniors bring to the court, most area coaches are looking to Lynden as a favorite in the conference race and a threat to defend its state title.

ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Ht. Pos.

3 Josh Kraght Sr. 5-11 G

4 Trey Shagren So. 6-2 G

10 Kyle Mark Sr. 6-3 F

11 Zach Vis Sr. 6-4 F

20 John Shine Sr. 6-2 G

21 Dak Shagren Sr. 6-3 G

22 Jaremy Martin Jr. 6-2 F

23 Scott Hastings So. 6-6 C

24 Jalani Phelps Jr. 6-3 F

32 Sterling Somers Fr. 6-4 F

34 Matt Meyer Sr. 6-5 C

35 Marcus Fakkema Sr. 6-3 F

44 Bret DeGraaff Sr. 6-1 F

SCHEDULE

Dec. 10 at Sehome 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 11 Mount Baker 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 Anacortes 7:15 p.m.

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

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

Dec. 21 Burlington-Edison* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 22 Tahoma (at Kent) 5 p.m.

Dec. 27 University City (at San Diego) 1:15 p.m.

Dec. 28 Surf 'n Slam (at San Diego) TBD

Dec. 29 Surf 'n Slam (at San Diego) TBD

Jan. 4 at Anacortes* 7:15 p.m.

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

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

Jan. 17 at Mount Baker* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 19 Mark Morris (at Lacey) 5 p.m.

Jan. 22 Sehome* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 25 Blaine* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 at Ferndale* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 Meridian* 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 5 at Sedro-Woolley* 7:15 p.m.

*NWC game

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