Whatcom County's, or rather Lynden's, three Yakima-bound state basketball teams learned who stands between them and a state title after the state tournament draw took place Sunday, Feb. 24.
Lynden - the defending Class 2A state champs - faces West Valley Yakima in its quarterfinal game at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.
The Lions earned a return trip to the SunDome after beating Sumner 58-39 Saturday, Feb. 23, at Lynden High School.
Lynden (23-1) is riding a 17-game win streak and is led in scoring by John Shine (13.3 points per game), Dak Shagren (13.0) and Matt Meyer (8.0). The Lions' last and only loss of the season came against Tahoma on Dec. 22.
West Valley Yakima (21-2) punched its ticket to the SunDome with a 70-67 win against Wapato on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Central Washington University. The Rams won a Central Washington Athletic Conference title and enter the state quarters on a five-game win streak.
Lynden Christian - the defending Class 1A state champs - faces Cashmere at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.
The Lyncs (21-5) beat Hoquiam 55-27 Saturday, Feb. 23, at Mount Vernon High School to claim their spot in Yakima.
Lynden Christian is led in scoring by Isaac Reimer (16.8 points per game), Daulton Hommes (9.1), Dustin Brandsma (8.7) and Nathan Meppelink (8.3). The Lyncs have won six straight since dropping their regular-season finale to Sehome.
Cashmere (18-7) earned its spot in the state quarterfinals by beating Zillah 68-53 Saturday, Feb. 23, at West Valley Yakima High School.
The Bulldogs are winners of four straight and lost to Lynden Christian earlier this season 71-68 on Dec. 27. Cashmere lost the following night to Sehome 60-57.
The Lynden Christian girls' basketball team beat Hoquiam 72-11 Friday, Feb. 22, at Mount Vernon High School to earn a return trip to the SunDome, where they'll face Caribou Trail League power and conference champion Brewster at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.
The Lyncs (23-3) have won 12 straight and are only giving up an average of 23.5 points per game during their six postseason matchups. LC is led in scoring by Kayla Tiemersma (9.8 points per game), Courtney Hollander (9.0) and Karley De Jager (7.1).
Brewster (22-1) has won six straight since losing its only game of the season to Chelan 51-44 on Jan. 26.
Complete brackets are posted on the WIAA's website.
