Winter Sports Preview 2022

Boys Basketball

Will the triple-crown be repeated?

WHATCOM COUNTY —

Can the triple crown be repeated?

Last year Lynden Christian boys, Lynden Christian girls and Lynden boys all won the state championship in an unheard of feat. While it is incredible that three Lynden schools won state championships simultaneously, it could happen again.

Lynden Christian lost a couple of big stars, but the Lyncs still have an elite state championship level team.

eir roster is highlighted by junior Jeremiah Wright who is

a staple in the low post. Other contributors include shooters Gri n Dykstra and Dexter Zylstra. ose two guys can score from anywhere and put defenses into their nightmare.

e Lynden Christian girls also won state last year and arguably are in a better spot this year.

Star guard Demi Dykstra is a senior now and has only improved her game. Sophomore Grace Hintz has turned into an elite scoring weapon that could be a tide turner for the Lyncs’ girls team.

e Lynden boys are also primed to make waves in the Northwest Conference and on the state level. With blossoming star Anthony Canales anything is possible for the Lions.

Quietly, the Lynden girls squad is even better than last year.

Haylee Koetje and Mallary Villars are two dynamos with the ball in their hands and it could take the Lions girls team all the way.

e girls team also added much needed size down low that is going to make it hard on

opposing o enses.

e not-so dark horse is the Nooksack Valley girls team.

People forget about the Pioneers sometimes, but they have a team that can handle anyone in the state.

A year ago they were eliminated in the state championship by Lynden Christian, but this is a new year.

Devin Coppinger is an unstoppable talent that is going to give any opposing team trouble. Watch out for the Pioneers, because they are coming for it all this year.

Ferndale

Key Returners:

Guard - Bishop Ootsey, junior Forward - Damian Toney, senior Forward - Kevin Woods, junior Guard, Bhavnoor Grewal, junior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 12-12

The Golden Eagles lost nine seniors from last year and have rebuilt with young talent. While Ferndale has a younger roster this year they still have some veteran talent to build around. Senior Damian Toney has

potential to be a star for the Golden Eagles as he is a dominant presence in the low post and will always be one of the biggest players on the court.

The Ferndale Golden Eagles’ 202223 varsity roster is: Quinseenum Rabang, Devyn Smith, Damien Toney, Mathias Johnson Aaron Resnik, Lincoln Thomas, Bishop Ootsey, Kevin Woods, Bhavnoor Grewal, Lucas Mills and Lane Oostra.

e 2022-23 boys basketball schedule and roster can be found at ferndalegoldeneagles.com

Lynden

Key Returners:

Guard - Anthony Canales, junior Guard - Coston Parcher, senior Forward - Brant Heppner, sophomore

Forward - Kobe Baar, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 23-2

The Lions are returning six seniors to a team that is coming off a 2A state championship in 2022.

Among many highlights, the Lions’ biggest advantage may be growth of junior guard Anthony Canales. He came onto the scene in a big way last year and will be an important park of the title run. Another returning player is senior Coston Parcher who had a very nice 2021-2022 season. He will be one of the leaders on the offense this year.

e Lynden Lions’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Brady Elsner, Coston Parcher, Cameron Peterson, Alexander Matthews, Elijah Hanenburg, Weston VanDalen, Treyson Smiley, Anthony Canales, Brant Heppner and Kobe Baar

e 2022-23 Lynden Lions’ boys basketball schedule and roster can be found at lyndenathletics.com

The Lions lost a couple big players like Jordan Medcalf and Dawson Adams but they are still an experienced team full of juniors and seniors. The one sophomore on the team is forward Brant Heppner who should see a bigger role this year.

Lynden Christian

e Lynden Christian

Lyncs’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Tyler Sipma, Gannon Dykstra, Dawson Bouma, Dexter Zylstra, Gri n Dykstra, Lane Dykstra, Isaac Paxton, Brandon Kuik, Treven Blair, Jeremiah Wright

e 2022-23 Lynden Christian Lyncs’ basketball schedule and roster can be found at golyncs.com

The Scoop: 2021-22 record: 23-1

The Lyncs are the reigning 1A title winners and they are poised for a season just as good. They have six retuning seniors that will try and lead the team to the promise land for the second consecutive year.

The key players for the Lyncs in 2022-2023 roster include junior Jeremiah Wright who has blossomed into a powerful post player as he is listed at 6’6. Seniors Griffin Dykstra and Dexter Zylstra will be important high volume scorers for the Lyncs. Off the bench, senior Isaac Paxton will play a critical role as the 6th man who can come in and bring high efficiency three-point shooting and playmaking.

Nooksack Valley

Key Returners:

Forward - Joey Brown, junior Forward - Colton Lentz, sophomore Guard - Cory Olney, sophomore Forward - Ayden Roper, senior Guard - Bennett Delange, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 6-12

The Pioneers have a chance to be a darkhorse in the Northwest Conference.

Nooksack Valley has an extremely young makeup. Following the 2021-22 season they only lost one player to graduation. This year they will bring back all of those young players with another season under their belts and a chance to elevate their team. If they can put all the pieces together this team could have a very similar arc to the football team.

Bennett Delange is pound-forpound one of the most athletic players in the conference. Watch out for him down the stretch

e Nooksack Valley Pioneers’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Caden Heutink, Bennett DeLange, Cory Olney, Jorgen Vigre, Colton Lentz, Ayden Roper, Wayne Silves, Dalton Hickey, Tristan Kamphouse, Joey Brown, Brady Ackerman

e 2022-23 Nooksack Valley Pioneers’ schedule and roster can be found at nooksackpioneers.com

Ayden Roper is another player to look out for as a big senior presence.

Key Returners:

Forward - Jaeger Fyfe, sophomore Forward - Hunter Jones, senior Wing - Landon James, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 7-12

The Meridian Trojans are another team to look out for. They are bringing back

Meridian Mount Baker

four seniors among young talent. Sophomore Jaeger Fyfe burst onto the scene last year and should be even better for the Trojans this year.

The Meridian Trojans’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Talon Jenkins, Cohen Fuller, Jaeger Fyfe, Amrit Nagra, Alex Short, Jacob Amundson, Taran Burks, Christian Clawson, Landon James, Hunter Jones and Tyrell Burks

e 2022-23 Meridian basketball schedule can be found at meridiantrojans.com

Key Returners:

Forward-Jesse Hayward, junior Forward -Riley Kruse, senior Forward - Ethan Larson, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 0-18

It was a rough 2021-22 season for the Mountaineers but with nine returning seniors Mount Baker has an opportunity to improve and make a splash in the North-

west Conference.

The Mount Baker Mountaineers’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Jesse Harward, Joseph Harward, Carter Hill, Kaden Hill, Riley Kruse, Ethan Larson, Griffion MacLachlin, J.J. Madera, Tavian Powell, Braeden Smith, Luke Smith, Jacob Wade and Brady West.

e 2022-23 Mount baker boys basketball schedule can be found at gobakerathletics.com

Girls Basketball Lynden

Key Returners:

Forward - Haylee Koetje, junior Guard - Adia Newcomb, senior Guard - Mallary Villars, junior Forward - Mya VanderYacht, junior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 16-7

The Lions girls team had a successful season last year and advanced to the state tournament. They suffered an early exit but it was an impressive feat for a young team.

This year, they are older and more experienced with an opportunity to make a deep playoff run. Junior Haylee Koetje and Mallary Villars are two premier scoring options for the team. Senior Adia Newcomb is a great facilitator who will find opportunities for their shooters.

The Lions also have more size this year with new additions, freshmen Rian Stephan and Payton Mills who will patrol the post and give Lynden a needed height advantage.

e Lynden Lions’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Degitu Bowler, Kalanie Newcomb, Mya VanderYacht, Kamryn Hermanutz, Ella Selcho, Melanie Anderson, Mallary Villars, Adia Newcomb, Haylee Koetje, Kiki York, Karleee Holman, Chloe Wittenberg, Payton Mills, Rian Stephan

e 2022 Lynden Lions’ girls basketball schedule and roster can be found at lyndenathletics.com

Lynden Christian

Key Returners:

Forward - Reganne Arnold, senior Guard - Demi Dykstra, senior Guard - Daisy Poag, senior Guard - Katrin Fay, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 23-4

The Lyncs girls basketball team are the defending 1A state champions after defeating Nooksack Valley in the final game of the year.

LC is set up for a run that may even be more impressive than last year.

The Lyncs did not lose a lot of their talent from last year. They still have multiple senior leaders who can help propel LC to state once again.

They have six retuning seniors, including Demi Dykstra who was an integral part of their title team last year. Additionally, senior Reganne Arnold will bring a presence down low as a forward.

LC also has young talent like sophomore guard Grace Hintz who should see an increase in playing time this year.

The Lyncs are one of the favorites in the conference.

e 2022-23 Lynden Christian Lyncs’ girls basketball schedule and roster can be found at golyncs.com.

Nooksack Valley

Key Returners:

Guard - Devin Coppinger, junior Forward - Taylor Lentz, senior Guard - Hallie Kamphouse, senior

Guard - Lainey Kimball, junior Forward - Tana Hoekema, junior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 22-4

After a fantastic season ending in a second place trophy at the 1A state championships, the Pioneers are looking to take the next step this season.

Nooksack Valley fell to Lynden Christian last season in the 1A finals, but the Pioneers have reloaded their squad and are poised to make another run. Junior Devin Coppinger is the standout offensive player for the Pioneers. She had a stellar state tournament last year and was a large reason they advanced so far.

e Nooksack Valley Pioneers 2022-23 varsity roster is: Payton Bartl, Lainey Kimball, Devin Coppinger, Kaylee Anderson, Ella Perry, Hallie Kamphouse, Taylor Lentz, Tana Hoekema, Grace DeHoog and Kate Shinta er.

Additionally, returning seniors Hallie Kamphouse and Taylor Lentz will firm up their squad. Nooksack Valley has a good chance at winning the Northwest Conference this year.

e 2022-23 Nooksack Valley Pioneers’ girls basketball schedule and roster can be found at nooksackpioneers.com

Ferndale

Key Returners:

Guard - Ashley Lang, senior Guard - Maleah Singson, junior

Forward - Madiysn Butenschoen, senior Guard - Ellie Ochoa, senior

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 10-11

Last season was not everything the Ferndale girls team hoped as they finished under .500 and missed out on the tournament. But this season there should be a lot of hope for the squad.

Ferndale only lost two seniors and everybody else returned to the team. This year the Golden Eagles will have four seniors who have experience and are ready to lead their team.

e Ferndale Golden Eagles 2022-23 varsity roster is: Cailyn Kessen, Jilea Fox, Ellie Ochoa, Madiysn Butenschoen, Ashley Lang, Mallory Butenschoen, Kayla Washington, Maleah Singson, Abbey White and Naomi Stanley

Senior Ashley Lang is a player to note this year, her 2021-22 campaign was solid and she elevates the ceiling of this Golden Eagle team.

Ferndale is quietly in a nice position to surprise in the 3A Wesco conference.

e 2022-23 Ferndale Golden Eagles girls basketball schedule and roster can be found at ferndalegoldeneagles.com

Mount Baker

Key Returners:

Forward-Joelene Lindsey, senior Guard -Hailey Abitia, senior guard - Madison Barter, senior

The Scoop: 2021-22 record: 4-14

The 2021-22 season did not go exactly how the Mountaineers wanted it to but this year they will have five seniors suiting up that should

help guide them to success.

The Mount Baker Mountaineers’ 2022-23 varsity roster is: Rhonda Madera, Edith Contreras Moreno, Hailey Abitia, Madison Barter, Jasmine Jefferson, Joelene Lindsey, Faith Wilson, Reace Brown, Natalie Van Liew, Samiya Powell

e 2022-23 Mount Baker basketball schedule can be found at gobakerathletics.com

Meridian

Key Returners:

Guard - Avery Neal, senior Guard -Maris Baklund, senior Guard- Allie Richter, junior Guard - Brooklyn Fuller, sophomore

The Scoop:

2021-22 record: 14-6

Meridian had a solid season last year and just missed out at qualifying for the state tournament. This year they will look to perform even better but they will have to overcome a couple of big loses. Ellie DeeWard and Skyleigh James were two of their top scores and best players who have since graduated. The Trojans will have to find new weapons this year.

e Meridian Trojan girls basketball 2022-23 varsity roster is: Brooklyn Fuller, Malia McCauley, Maris Baklund, Kinsley Neal, Savannah Storgaard, Chloe Bressler, Allie Richter, Avery Neal and Taya Benson.

e 2022-23 Meridian basketball schedule can be found at meridiantrojans.com

Junior Allie Richter is expected to make a splash this year as she turned it on in districts during the 2021-22 season.

Additionally, seniors Avery Neal and Maris Baklund should assume bigger roles this year and work as leaders for the team.

Wrestling

The Scoop:

Wrestling was one of the hardest hit sports last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year the Lynden Lions girls team will look to make up for lost time.

Here is the 2022-23 Lynden girls wrestling squad: Gabriela Briceno, Olivia Castaneda, Sophie Jenkins, Belen Lopez, Lily Miller, Jennifer Palomar Vivanco, Rylee Petersen and Olivia Scott

e 2022-23 Lynden Lions girls wrestling schedule can be found at lyndenathletics.com

PROUDLY SUPPORTS

WHATCOM COUNTY SPORTS PROGRAMS

Lynden

Key Returners:

Kaleb Oostra, senior Steven Hollinsworth, senior

The Scoop:

e Lynden Lions’ boys wrestling 2022-23 varsity roster is: Bennett Amsberry, Eric Antonio, Maddox Aquino, George Balcom, Aiden Castaneda, Bradly Cline, Julius Colborn, Hugo Contreras, Kane Davis, John Dykman, Jonathan Espinoza, Moises Feliciano, Ivan Garcia-Zapata,Bakker Hallberg, Brayan Hernandez, David Hernandez Solano, Connor Holgate, Steven Hollinsworth, Blake Holman, Charles Jenkins, John Johnston, Evan Klineman, Dennis Kotsyuba, Braiden Luna,Alvaro Mendoza-batey, Carlos Nava Gonzalez, Kaleb Oostra, Logan Ostry, Crew Price, Garrett Radtke, Enrique Rodriguez, Eli Siguaw, Tristan omas, Clarence Valladares, Grady VanDalen, Lee Vazquez, Christian Velasquez, Aaron Villa, Carter Vrieling and Cruz Zavala

e 2022-23 Lynden Lions boys wrestling schedule can be found at lyndenathletics.com

The Lions finished ninth overall last year in the NWC and this year they bright back some important pieces to try and improve on their 2021-22 season

Mount Baker

Here is the Mount Baker Mountaineers boys 2022-23 roster: Jorey Johnson, Cole Scott, Gavin Compton, K.J. Chapman, Chris Martinez, Daniel Washburn, Jon Wymgaert, Wyatt Freeman, Vance Lawrence, Dylan Moa, Elijah Washburn, Alder Giarde, Noah Ilichev, Kyle Sandvig, Drake Pinkey and Jeremiah Sheridan

Here is the Mount Baker Mountaineers girls 2022-23 roster: Ella Moa, Tempest Heiner, Ana Camacho, Karalyn Cook, Josephine Graham,Sadie Schenck, Lauren Valum, Abigail Ambuehl,Sophia Moa, Aviana Staroverov, Melanie Wilson, Tyla Olson, Sydney VanBrocklin, Gabrielle Cortes, Kennedy Rathjen and LilieMae Savage

Key Returners:

Boys:

Jorey Johnson, senior Elijah washburn, junior Vance Lawrence, junior

Girls: Tempest Heiner, senior Ella Moa, senior Gabrielle Cortes, senior

The Scoop:

The Mountaineers are one of the most successful wrestling programs in the NWC. They are headed by Ron Lepper who has contributed to the long-term domination. Last year as a whole Mount Baker sent 18 athletes to state and had six first place finishes.

Mount Baker is bringing back numerous members of the AllNorthwest Conference teams to bolster the strength of their roster.

The Mountaineers have already started the season off hot winning their first couple of competitions.

e 2022-23 Mount girls boys wrestling schedule can be found at gobakerathletics.com

Ferndale

Here is the Ferndale Golden Eagles boys 2022-23 roster: Gabe Rios-Gordillo, Alex Depass, Mathias Prenosil, Tipton Bundy, Max Depass, Adrian Finsrud, Andrew Finsrud, Jacob Gandy, Nolan Wisbey, Cooper Treat, Charlie DespainTones, Sam Brulotte and Wyatt Strait

Here is the Ferndale Golden Eagles girls 2022-23 roster: Mariah Moore, Aiyanna Brown, Carmen “Karma” Finkbonner, Samantha Webster, Malia Welch, Chanelle Bill-Kinley, Mercedes “Sadie” Hinz, Cecilia Carlson, Cienna “Ash” Dolan, Gabrielle Krutsinger, Luz Alcala, Ava Hudson, Eliana Guillory, Zaira “ZZ” Saville and Jaycena “Cena” Lajuan

Key Returners:

Boys: Alex Depass, junior Sam Brulotte, senior Jacob Gandy, sophomore

Girls: Malia Welch, senior Gabrielle Krutsinger, senior

The Scoop:

Both Ferndale boys and girls had a successful 2021-22 season. The boys placed four players on the All-Northwest Conference roster including Alex Depaas and Sam Brulotte This year they have six returning seniors to the roster and have the potential to repeat their success. For the girls, the big story is Malia Welch who had an outstanding season and ended up with a first place finish at the state tournament last year. Ferndale followed closely behind Mount Baker by sending 11 wrestlers to state in 2021.

e 2022-23 Ferndale girls and boys wrestling schedule can be found at ferndalegoldeneagles. com.

Nooksack Valley

Key Returners:

Boys: Cameron O’Bryan, sophomore Shon Visser, senior

Girls: Ameriah Harlan, senior

The Scoop:

Nooksack Valley has a decent 2021-22 season highlighted by sending two athletes to the state tournament. That was the fifth most in the Northwest Conference.

With how small Nooksack Valleys combined boys and girls roster sending two members two state is an impressive feat.

This year, Nooksack Valley boys bring back Shon Visser who was one of the state competitors and Cameron O’Bryan who had a successful sub-regional tournament last year.

Here is the Nooksack Valley Pioneers boys 2022-23 roster: Wyatt Bacon, Grayson Coleman, Sean Giovani Coleman, Owen Cunningham, Jack Day, Daniel Donato, Andrew Dugger, Issac Furtado, Vasily Gorskikh, Abraham Hernandez-Dimas, Weston Hurrelbrink, Mason McFadden, Daniel McKissick, Julion Nolasco Martin, Cameron O’Bryan, Neovictor Ramirez, Gabriel Snyders, Shane Stap, Landon Tilton, Shon Visser and Dalton Wilson

Here is the Nooksack Valley Pioneers girls 2022-23 roster: Mina Azzam and Ameriah Harlan

The girls wrestling roster is very small, They will only have two athletes this year, senior Ameriah Harlan and freshman Mina Azzam.

e 2022-23 Nooksack Valley boys and girls wrestling schedule can be found at nooksackpioneers.com.

Meridian

Here is the Meridian Trojan boys 2022-23 roster: Ryan Jensen, Carson Siadal, Anthony, Miranda Nolasco, Jackson Miller, Dane Beishline, Joshtyn Elmer, Julian Pullar, Landen Downey, Abner Bird and Jaxson Hurlbut

Here is the Meridian Trojan girls 2022-23 roster: Kimberly Snead, Jetzabel Huerta-Garcia, Sukhpreet Kaur, Kerri Barnes, Mirage Deneal, Sarena Mander, Regan Swope, Madison Brzozowski and Kennedy Farrar

Key Returners:

Boys:

Jaxson Hurlburt, sophomore Ryan Jensen, senior

Girls:

Mirage Deneal, senior Regan Swope, junior

The Scoop:

The Meridian Trojans wrestling squads were a nice story during the 2021-22 season. They sent five competitors to state and one of them had a second place finish.

This year the boys team only has one retuning senior in Ryan Jensen, but they are also bringing back Jaxton Hurlburt who was a sixth place finisher at state.

The girls team is returning Mirage Deneal, Regan Swope and Kennedy Farrar who were all state contestants. They will have four seniors on their roster total.

e 2022-23 Meridian Trojans boys and girls wrestling schedule can be found at meridiantrojans.com.

Smith Kia of Bellingham

Lynden

Key Returners:

Cody Moreland, senior Ethan Williams, senior Elijah Rinehart, senior

The Scoop:

The Lynden Lions’ swim squad is geared up for another good year after retaining some high level swim talents.

Last year, the Lions sent six swimmers to the Washington state meet. Three of those swimmers are returning to the team this year. Cody Moreland, Ethan Williams and Elijah Rinehart are all now seniors and they are poised for another year at state.

Here is the Lynden Lions boys swim roster for the 2022-23 season: Justin Anderson, Gage Ellis, Caleb Erickson, Joshua Grace, Conner Henry, Cody Moreland, Blaise Lovegren, Zane McKay, Colby Nosbusch, Elijah Rinehart, Jose Sanchez- Gutierrez, Eugenio Sotomayor, Lincoln Spoelstra, Gustav Van Rooyen, Ethan Williams and Kai Wol sberg

Overall, the Lynden team will have six retuning seniors and a strong roster to go into the year. The Lions will also feature some young talent with three freshman on the roster.

e 2022-23 Lynden boys swimming schedule can be found at lyndenathletics.com.

Ferndale

Key Returners:

Jaxon Dahlstrom, senior Kaden Grumbles, senior

The Scoop:

It was a rough year for the Ferndale swim team after facing cancellations due to COVID-19.

They are listed as going 0-3 in their meets in 2021-22 according tot he Wesco athletics website.

However there is room for hope this year as they bring a reloaded roster with five seniors including senior captains Jaxon Dahlstrom and Kaden Grumbles.

Here is the Ferndale Golden Eagles boys swim roster for the 2022-23 season: Roman Shields, Maxim Cowie, William James, Luke Mitchell, Odin Overson, Aron Dahlstrom, Cole Gilday, Cole Henken, Nathaniel Inman, Markus Little, Bryce Manibusan, Benjamin Stau er, Grant Stau er, Aiden White, Jaxon Dahlstrom, Malachi Dunham, Kaden Grumbles, Samuel McAllister and Jonathan OBrien

The Golden Eagles have one match before winter break then their season will really kick into gear in January.

e 2022-23 Ferndale Golden Eagles swim schedule can be found at ferndalegoldeneagles. com

Meridian

The Scoop:

Meridian bowling has been fantastic to start the season jumping out to a 6-3 record with no signs of slowing down. The team is highlighted by team captain Emma Hill.

e 2022-23 Meridian Trojans bowling

Here is the Meridian Trojans bowling roster for the 2022-23 season: Audrey Terpstra, Mariel Schmidt, Lexi Garvin, Lauren Lipton, Gisell Jimenez, Emma Hill, Dakota Hill.