Lynden to be quick, athletic
Coach: Brian Roper
Last year: Won a Northwest Conference title with a 10-2 record. ... Ended season after losing in the regional round of the Class 2A State Tournament, finishing 18-6 overall.
Players to watch: Sterling Somers (sr., F); Andrew Kivlighn (jr., G); Jordan Wittenberg (sr., G); Davis Bode (jr., C); Noah King (sr., G)
Outlook: Meridian might not own the big-name, flashy scorer this season, but there is something else that stands out to Trojans coach Shane Stacy.The impact of that is to be determined, but the time has allowed coach Brian Roper to recognized some key differences between this year’s and last year’s team. “We are a very different team this year,” Roper said. “We got some lanky, athletic kids, and we are not as physical as perhaps we have been some years.” Gone is inside presence Scooter Hastings, but Lynden returns all-league player Sterling Somers (17.6 points per game), who Roper said has again elevated his game. Guards Jordan Wittenberg (6.9 ppg) and Noah King (2.5 ppg) give the Lions a ton of athleticism and sharp-shooter Andrew Kivlighn (7.0 ppg) could be in line to take another step forward. Lynden has myriad strong perimeter shooters, but a lack of physicality will force the Lions to play more zone defense. Davis Bode, a 6-foot-6 junior center, gives Lynden some size. Freshmen Clayton Whitman, Christian Zamora and James Marsh add intrigue.
Roster
No. | Player | Ht. | Yr. | Pos. |
3 | Noah King | 5-11 | Sr. | G |
4 | Landon DeBruin | 6-2 | Jr. | G |
11 | Clayton Whitman | 6-2 | Fr. | F |
13 | Sterling Somers | 6-5 | Sr. | F |
20 | Connor Shine | 6-0 | Jr. | G |
21 | Andrew Kivlighn | 6-3 | Jr. | G |
24 | Jordan Wittenberg | 6-0 | Sr. | G |
32 | Christian Zamora | 6-4 | Fr. | F |
35 | Davis Bode | 6-6 | Jr. | C |
44 | James Marsh | 6-3 | Fr. | F |
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
Dec. 7 | at Anacortes | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 10 | at Arlington | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 11 | at Ferndale | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 15 | at Nooksack Valley* | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 19 | King’s | 8 p.m. |
Dec. 21 | Sequim | 5 p.m. |
Dec. 29 | at Yakima West Valley+ | 9 p.m. |
Dec. 30 | at Zillah+ | 6 p.m. |
Jan. 2 | Sedro-Woolley* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 5 | Anacortes* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 8 | Meridian* | 7:30 p.m. |
Jan. 11 | Blaine* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 14 | at Sedro-Woolley* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 19 | Mount Baker* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 21 | at Lynden Christian* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 26 | at Burlington-Edison* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 28 | Ferndale* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 1 | Sehome* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 5 | at Bellingham* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 9 | at Squalicum* | 7:15 p.m. |
*NWC game; +at SunDome in Yakima
This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Lynden to be quick, athletic."