While Dak Shagren performs a variety of roles for the Lynden boys' basketball team, playing point guard is not one of them.

But that's what he expects to be asked to do at the next level, as Shagren has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Northwest University in Seattle.

"I've been in the gym a lot after practices, working on my ball handling and shooting, everything, trying to get ready for next year," Shagren said Wednesday, Feb. 6, at a ceremony honoring Lynden's 11 college-bound senior student athletes.

Shagren said Northwest was the only school he seriously considered, as the NAIA program has a tradition of producing good teams.

"I really liked the family environment there," Shagren said. "They've got good players, and they're a really close-knit group."

That group includes former Squalicum standout Michael Greene, who is leading the Eagles in both scoring and rebounding this year as a senior.

"I talked to him a little bit about it," Shagren said. "He's a great player and had some really good advice."

Shagren plans to major in education.

BANNER TO HEAD TO CENTRAL

The Central Washington University football team coaching staff liked what they saw in Sehome senior Bo Banner so much, they enticed him to come to Ellensburg for the next four years.

"They said they see me being a Wildcat for them on defense, and they liked what they could do with me," Banner said in a phone interview. "They really liked what they saw in my videos."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Banner said he expected to sign his National Letter of Intent to play with the Wildcats last week after the first day of the signing period on Wednesday. He made the choice over Idaho and Western Oregon.

"I went down there last weekend, and I really liked it," Banner said. "The school was nice. The football players were nice. The school was a good fit for me."

Central hopes he will be a good fit at outside linebacker/defensive end.

Last year, Banner logged 28 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, three batted balls and an interception for the Mariners.

Banner said he plans to major in business while at Central.

FAKKEMA READY TO START NEW

As an offensive lineman on Lynden's football team, Marcus Fakkema was all about blazing trails for the Lions' high-powered offense.

He hopes to take a similar approach with his choice of colleges, as Fakkema signed a National Letter of Intent on Tuesday, Feb. 5, to play lacrosse at the University of Great Falls.

Next year will be the first year the Argos have offered a lacrosse program, and that, more than anything, enticed Fakkema to sign on.

"I really liked the idea of setting records, rather than breaking somebody else's," Fakkema said.

Fakkema, who was recruited to fill the attack position, said he made the choice to go to Great Falls in Montana over Notre Dame de Namur University in California.

"The coach is enthusiastic and thinks we can do a lot in our first year," said Fakkema, who added that he plans to major in criminology or study to become a game warden. "We should have a good group of players coming in."

BROCKMANN READY TO CONTRIBUTE AT CENTRALIA

An opportunity to start right away enticed Meridian senior Jeremy Brockmann to sign a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Centralia College next year.

"Their entire infield is full of sophomores this year, which means they'll be gone next year," Brockmann said in a phone interview. "I wanted to get a chance to step in and compete, and I think I will get it there."

The first baseman chose Centralia over Clark, Tacoma and Grays Harbor community colleges, as well as Pacific Lutheran and Saint Martin's.

"I think it was a combination of the coaching staff and I really felt at home there," Brockmann said. "It's not too far away, but it's still far enough away for me."

Brockmann hit .275 (14 for 51), drove in 16 runs, scored 10 and recorded five doubles last year in helping the Trojans place third in the Class 1A State Tournament. He also went 4-1 with a 2.69 ERA on the mound and recorded 23 strikeouts in 26 innings of work.

Brockmann said he plans to major in engineering and try to transfer to Division II PLU or Saint Martin's after his two years at Centralia are done.

"I really want to thank the coaching staff here at Meridian for putting in all the hard work to help me get here over the years," Brockmann said.

HOMMES FINDS HOME IN BELLEVUE

A visit to the Bellevue Community College campus, and Lynden senior Maddi Hommes was sold.

She signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for the Bulldogs.

"When I went there, I really liked the gym and the campus, and the team seemed really nice," Hommes said. "It just felt right."

The fact that Bellevue has finished outside the top two in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College standings only once in the past eight years didn't hurt, either.

Hommes should bring the Bulldogs some versatility, as she can play on the outside or the inside with equal effectiveness.

Hommes said she plans to major in pre physical therapy, and continue those studies at either Washington or Eastern Washington.

"If I go to Eastern, there is a chance I can continue playing, too," Hommes said.

Reach David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 360-715-2286.

MOVING ON

Here is a look at the Whatcom County high school seniors who either have signed or are planning to sign National Letters of Intent to be student athletes in college:

Student athlete High school Sport College

Rachel Albert Sehome Basketball Western Washington

Bo Banner Sehome Football Central Washington

Kelli Bannerman Ferndale Soccer Saint Martin's

Brooke Bonsen Lynden Softball Bellevue Community College

Tom Bradley Blaine Cross Country San Francisco

Brooke Branigan Bellingham Golf Western Washington

Jeremy Brockmann Meridian Baseball Centralia College

Aaron Burke Bellingham Baseball Oregon Tech

Joe Charbonneau Bellingham Cross Country Seattle University

Alex Check Bellingham Baseball Bellevue College

Luke Christianson Lynden Baseball Lower Columbia College

Marcus Fakkema Lynden Lacrosse University of Great Falls

Gina Flint Squalicum Track Washington

Brittany Gappa Squalicum Cross Country Boston University

Patrick Gibson Squalicum Cross Country Stanford

Daniel Goebel Sehome Baseball Westmont College

Maddi Hommes Lynden Volleyball Bellevue College

Devon Kollmyer Lynden Soccer Simon Fraser

Tyler Knutsen Sehome Baseball Hawaii-Hilo

Josh Kraght Lynden Football Portland State

Bridget Kruck Lynden Christian Softball Mesa (Ariz.) Community College

Matt Meyer Lynden Football Washington State

Larkyn Nelson Bellingham Soccer Peninsula College

Caleb Newman Lynden Football Army

Tanner Olson Lynden Baseball Lower Columbia College

Audrey Orem Bellingham Golf Western Washington

Palmer Sandel Blaine Football Western Oregon

Dak Shagren Lynden Basketball Northwest University

Rachel Short-Miller Bellingham Soccer Hesston (Kan.) College

Austyn Sprague Ferndale Baseball Everett Community College

Kayla Tiemersma Lynden Christian Basketball Whatcom Community College

Thomas Vazorka Bellingham Football Idaho State

Zach Vis Lynden Football Montana

Emily Visser Lynden Christian Cross Country Dordt College

Ryan Wallen Blaine Golf Wyoming

NOTE: To report a Whatcom County high school student athlete that is planning to continue their playing career in college, please contact David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 360-715-2286.

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