Defending champions face new challenges without star players
With Devin Coppinger at UW and Anthony Canales trying to make it at Western, defending champs turn to new leaders
By Joe Kramer Sports Editor
WHATCOM — In high school sports, maintaining excellence is often more daunting than achieving it with a constant revolving door of players. This season represents a significant turning point for two defending state champions, Nooksack Valley girls basketball and Lynden boys basketball. Both programs must navigate new territory after losing cornerstone players who defined their championship eras.
For Nooksack Valley, the departure of Devin Coppinger, a three-time Washington State Player of the Year and the offensive cornerstone of two consecutive state championships, marks the end of a golden era. Coppinger’s impact on the court is impossible to overstate. In her final high school game, she scored 27 points to lead the Pioneers to a dramatic 70-67 victory over Deer Park in the 2A state championship. Her ability to take over games was the driving force behind Nooksack’s unprecedented run.
Head coach Shane Wichers knows the challenges
ahead. The Pioneers lost Coppinger and fellow graduates Lainey Kimball and Kaylee Anderson, who were critical contributors to their championship success.
“These seniors are leaving a great legacy,” Wichers said after last year’s championship. “Devon, Lainey, Kaylee, Tana — just their work ethic. Hopefully, the younger kids can carry that.”
Junior center Grace DeHoog has already begun to step into a larger role and scored 18 points in the Pioneers’ season-opening 40-33 win over Sultan. The game highlighted some early challenges for the team, including a 29% shooting performance from the field, but also showed DeHoog’s potential to anchor the team moving forward.
This season presents an opportunity for younger players to grow and for Nooksack Valley to develop a new identity on the court. With a proud legacy established, the focus now shifts to how the program can build on its recent success while adapting to the loss of a cornerstone like Coppinger.
Meanwhile, in Lynden, the Lions are navigating life without Anthony Canales, the school’s all-time leading scorer and a three-time state tournament MVP. Canales’ dominance was unmatched in recent program history, and his ability to excel in critical moments solidified his legacy as one of the most accomplished players in Lynden basketball’s storied history.
Nooksack Valley girls basketball will look to succeed this season without Devin Coppinger. (Joe Kramer/Lynden Tribune)
In Lynden’s commanding 85-54 championship win over Grandview last season, Canales scored 29 points and led the Lions to their third consecutive 2A state title.
Head coach Brian Roper, who has guided Lynden to seven state championships, isn’t one to dwell on past glories. His focus remains on the present, emphasizing “daily improvement and effort.” Despite losing Canales and several other key seniors, Lynden is off to a 3-0 start this season, a testament to the program’s depth and resilience.
Roper’s system thrives on preparation and teamwork,
which are values instilled in every player who enters the program. This year’s team is anchored by returning seniors Brant Heppner and Jack Stapleton, both 6-foot-5 forwards who bring size, skill and leadership to the court. Heppner, an All-State selection, is expected to be the Lions’ go-to player this season, while Stapleton provides versatility and stability.
While the Lions’ frontcourt is a known strength, the backcourt is less experienced, with underclassmen stepping into key roles. Integrating new varsity players is always a challenge, but Roper sees
it as an opportunity to build chemistry and develop the next wave of contributors.
What unites Nooksack Valley and Lynden this season is the challenge of maintaining excellence amidst significant roster turnover. Both programs boast strong coaching and tradition, but they’ll need more than that to navigate their respective transitions successfully.
For Nooksack, the upperclassmen can carry forward the lessons and values instilled by the championship teams that came before them. Past squads’ hard work, unity, and determination set a standard that this year’s group can strive to uphold. While players like Grace DeHoog, Kate Shintafer and Payton Bartl are stepping into more prominent roles, the team’s success will hinge on how well they embody the spirit of the Pioneers’ recent golden era.
For Lynden, it’s about blending veteran leadership with the energy and potential of younger players, all while adhering to the process-driven approach that has defined Roper’s tenure.
The early struggles for Nooksack, highlighted by their 29% shooting performance against Sultan, are a reminder of the adjustments required after losing a generational talent like Coppinger. Similarly, Lynden’s strong start underscores their ability to reload rather than rebuild, but the actual test will come as the season progresses and the Lions face tougher competition.
Greatness in high school basketball isn’t just about the stars who fill the stat sheet; it’s about the systems, cultures, and communities that sustain success. Nooksack Valley and Lynden have
their commitment to excellence, and while this season marks a turning point, both are poised to continue thriving.
For Nooksack, the road ahead will be shaped by new
faces stepping into larger roles.
For Lynden, the challenge is to write the next chapter of a dynasty that has already etched itself into the history books.
Lynden girls basketball
Schedule
12/2: Lynden 66, Riverside Secondary 50
12/10: Lynden 76, Oak Harbor 9
12/12: vs. Squalicum
12/14: vs. Tahoma
12/16: @ Lakewood
12/18: @ Bellevue
Christian
12/20: vs. Ferndale
12/21: vs. Stanwood
1/4: @ Mount Vernon
1/8: vs. Sedro-Woolley
1/15: @ Sehome
1/17: @ BurlingtonEdison
1/20: vs. King’s
1/21: vs. Meridian
1/27: @ Mount Baker
2/1: @ Lynden
Christian
2/4: vs. Anacortes
2/7: vs. Nooksack Valley
Lynden boys basketball
Schedule
12/3: Lynden 63, Tamanawis 56
12/10: Lynden 71, Oak Harbor 48
12/12: vs. Squalicum
12/16: vs. Lakewood
12/20: @ Ferndale
12/21: vs. Stanwood
12/27: @ Grandview
12/28: @ Annie Wright
12/30: vs. Archbishop Murphy
1/4: vs. Mount Vernon
1/8: @ Sedro-Woolley
1/11: vs. Bellingham
1/15: @ Sehome
1/17: vs. Burlington-Edison
1/20: vs. King’s
1/21: @ Meridian
1/23: @ Blaine
1/27: @ Mount Baker
2/1: @ Lynden Christian
2/4: @ Anacortes
2/7: vs. Nooksack Valley
Lynden boys wrestling
Schedule
11/30: @ MeridianMulti-team event (zero wins)
1/4: @ Sultan - Multiteam event (zero wins)
1/9: @ Squalicum
1/15: NWC Dual Match @ Burlington-Edison
1/22: vs. Sehome
1/25: @ Lynden - Multiteam event
1/28: @ Mount VernonMulti-team event
Lynden girls wrestling
Roster: Emily Anderson, Piper Arneson, Allyson Bartlett, Gabriela Briceno, Alexandra Butler, Isabel Dominguez, Jennifer Dominguez, Silvia Feliciano, Marliana Flores, Carla Gutierrez, Hayden Kifer, Lizeth Lopez, Lily Miller, Macie Miller, Yaretzi Nava Gonzalez, Kimber Nelson, Elisbeth Tellez Perfecto, Tanya Timofeyev, Daisy Vasquez Cruz, Leslie White, Estrella Yoc.
Schedule
12/5: vs. Multi-team event (32 points)
12/14: @ Everett - Multi-team event
12/19: vs. Burlington-Edison
12/21: Royal Classic @ Lynnwood
12/28: @ Blaine - Multi-team
1/11: @ Oak Harbor - Multi-team event
1/14: vs. Nooksack Valley and Sehome
1/22: vs. Meridian
Lynden boys swim
Roster: Samuel Asmussen, Mason Friesen, Elijah Goldman Lemay, Aaron McLendon, Brendon Mrak, Oliver Petree, Jose Sanchez-Gutierrez, Ryan Small, Eugenio Sotomayor, Sebastian Uribe, Nolan Vanderpol.
Schedule
12/5: Mount Vernon 114, Lynden 52
12/10: Squalicum 125, Lynden 38
12/12: vs. Ferndale
1/7: vs. Anacortes
1/9: @ Bellingham
1/14: @ Sehome
1/16: vs. Oak Harbor
1/18: NWC Swim/ Dive Invitational @
Fidalgo Pool
1/21: vs. Burlington-Edison
1/23: @ SedroWoolley
2/14: NW District Championships @ Fidalgo Pool
2/15: NW District Championships @ Fidalgo Pool
Ferndale girls basketball
Roster: Olivia Smetana, Brooklyn Larrabee, Ari Gilday, Jilly Fox, Kenzie Dawson, Kayla Washington, Isabella Vargas, Abbey White, Kayla Lee.
11/30: Ferndale 60, La Conner 42
12/3: Sehome 49, Ferndale 39
12/6: Jackson 58, Ferndale 33
12/10: vs. Anacortes
12/13: @ Stanwood 12/14: @ Nooksack Valley
12/18: vs. Oak Harbor
12/20: @ Lynden 1/3: vs. Lakewood 1/6: @ Squalicum
1/7: vs. Everett 1/9: @ Mount Vernon 1/15: vs. Sedro-Woolley
1/17: @ Bellingham
1/21: @ Sehome
1/25: vs. BurlingtonEdison
1/28: @ Meridian
1/30: @ Blaine
2/3: vs. Mount Baker
2/6: vs. Lynden
Christian
Ferndale boys basketball
Schedule
12/5: @ Snohomish 45, Ferndale 32
12/11: vs. Mariner
12/14: vs. Nooksack Valley
12/16: vs. Marysville-Pilchuck
12/18: @ Oak Harbor
1/3: @ Lakewood
1/6: vs. Squalicum
1/9: vs. Mount Vernon
1/11: @ Anacortes
1/15: @ SedroWoolley
1/17: vs. Bellingham
1/21: @ Sehome
1/25: @ BurlingtonEdison
1/28: vs. Meridian
1/30: @ Blaine
2/3: @ Mount Baker
2/6: @ Lynden
Christian
Ferndale boys wrestling
At press time, rosters were not available. Visit ferndalegoldeneagles.com, for more information.
Schedule
12/12: vs. Burlington-Edison
12/19: @ Edmonds-WoodwayMulti-team event
12/27: @ Clark County Event Center - Pac Coast Tournament
12/28: @ Clark County Event Center - Pac Coast Tournament
1/11: @ Mount Vernon - Paul Reiman Wrestling Tournament
1/14: vs. Mount Vernon
1/16: @ Sedro-Woolley
2/8: @ Monroe
Ferndale girls wrestling
Schedule
12/5: vs. Nooksack Valley and Sehome
12/7: @ OrtingMulti-team event
12/11: @ Mount Vernon
12/14: @ EverettMulti-team event
12/19: vs. Mount Vernon
12/21 @ Juanita
1/6: @ Mount Vernon
1/10: Braided 64
- Day 1 @ KelsoMulti-team event
1/11: Braided 64
- Day 2 @ KelsoMulti-team event
1/15: @ Blaine
1/23: @ Mount Baker
12/28: @ BlaineMulti-team event
1/28: @ Decatur
At press time, rosters were not available. Visit ferndalegoldeneagles.com, for more information.
Ferndale girls bowling
Roster: An-
gel Bowden, Natalie Brood, Harleen Deol, Aria Hopkins, Calliope Kincaid, Lisa “Levi” Marsau, Madison McFadden, Marisa Miller, Haylee Ochoa, Isabella Silva Ruvalcaba, Kalli Svann, Kendra Ziesing.
Schedule
11/13: @ Mount Vernon 1491, Ferndale 1407 11/26: @ Ferndale 1354, BurlingtonEdison 1157 12/4: @ Everett 12/9: vs. Anacortes 12/10: @
Anacortes 1/10: @ Mount Vernon 1/13: vs. Nooksack Valley 1/15: vs. Blaine 1/17: vs. Cascade (Everett) 1/21: @ 1/24: vs. Jackson
Ferndale boys swim
Roster: Jake Baker, Aiden Britain, Aron Dahlstrom, Makoto Evanson, Maddox Gemin, Antonio Goni-Janeiro, Tyler Grumbles, Mason Helt, Cole Henken, Markus Little, Logyn Lively, Jacob MacGregor, Luke Mitchell, Zayden Moreau, Ethan O’Larey, Odin Overson, Hudson Sargent, Oliver Seigman, Benjamin Stauffer, Grant Stauffer, Caedyn Thomas, William Toppe-Gregory, Rune Volker, Russell Warbus, Aiden White.
Schedule
12/5: vs. Bellingham
12/10: @ BurlingtonEdison
12/12: @ Lynden
12/17: @ Anacortes
1/9: vs. Mount Vernon
1/14: vs. Sedro-Woolley
1/16: @ Squalicum
1/18: NWC Swim/Dive Invitational
1/21: @ Oak Harbor
1/23: vs. Sehome
LC boys basketball
Roster: Dawson Hintz, Gunnar Dykstra, Carter Ahlers, Eli Maberry, Boyce Robertson, Harvest Howell, Gannon Dykstra, Luke VanKooten, Kaden Veldman, Chris Kooiman.
Schedule
12/4: Lynden Christian 84, Holy Cross Regional 41
12/7: Lynden Christian 66, Lake Stevens 46
12/10: vs. Mount Vernon
12/12: @ Sedro-Woolley
12/14: @ Archbishop Murphy
12/16: vs. Bellingham
12/19: @ Sehome
12/23: @ Arlington 1/3: vs. Burlington-
Edison
1/6: @ Meridian
1/10: vs. Blaine
1/14: @ Mount Baker
1/18: @ Squalicum
1/22: vs. Anacortes
1/24: vs. Nooksack Valley
1/29: vs. Oak Harbor
2/1: @ Lynden
2/4: vs. Lakewood
2/6: vs. Ferndale
LC girls basketball
Schedule
12/7: Lynden Christian 55, Lake Stevens 48
12/10: Lynden Christian 57, Mount Vernon 26
12/12: vs. Sedro-Woolley
12/14: @ Archbishop Murphy
12/20: vs. Sehome
12/23: vs. Arlington
1/3: @ Burlington-Edison
1/6: vs. Meridian
1/10: @ Blaine
1/11: vs. Bainbridge
1/14: vs. Mount Baker
1/18: vs. Squalicum
1/22: @ Anacortes
1/24: vs. Nooksack Valley
1/29: @ Oak Harbor
2/1: vs. Lynden
2/4: @ Lakewood
2/6: @ Ferndale
Roster: Danya Dykstra, Tyra Dykstra, Kortnee Tolsma, Estela Hernandez, Ella Fritts, Grace Hintz, Alisa Scott, Gracelyn Russell, Allison Shumate, Sara VanLoo, Makalie Tveter, Ellie Pierce, Jocelyn Eshuis.
NV girls basketball
Schedule
12/4: Nooksack Valley 40, Sultan 33
12/10: Archbishop Murphy 81, Nooksack Valley 41
12/11: vs. Lakewood
12/14: vs. Ferndale
12/17: @ Mount
Vernon
12/19: vs. SedroWoolley
1/4: @ Bellingham
1/7: vs. Sehome
1/9: @ BurlingtonEdison
1/13: vs. Meridian
1/22: vs. Mount Baker
1/24: @ Lynden
Christian 1/27: vs. Anacortes
1/31: @ Squalicum
2/3: @ Oak Harbor
2/4: vs. King’s
2/7: @ Lynden
NV boys basketball
Roster: Cole Coppinger, Corey Olney, Caden Heutink, Owen Wichers, Tristan Kamphouse, Westin Silves, Weston Silves, Dane Ackerman, Lance Vanberkum, Brady Ackerman.
11/30: Nooksack Valley 57, Cedar Park Christian 39
12/4: Nooksack Valley 40, Sultan 33
12/10: Nooksack Valley 67, Granite Falls 38
12/11: @ Lakewood
12/14: vs. Ferndale
12/17: vs. Mount Vernon
12/19: @ Sedro-Woolley
12/21: @ Lummi Nation
1/4: vs. Bellingham
1/7: @ Sehome
1/9: vs. BurlingtonEdison
1/13: vs. Meridian
1/16: @ Blaine
1/22: @ Mount Baker
1/24: vs. Lynden
Christian
1/27: @ Anacortes
1/31: vs. Squalicum
2/3: vs. Oak Harbor
2/7: @ Lynden
NV wrestling
Meridian girls basketball
Roster: Brooklyn Fuller, Kinsley Neal, Amelia Koning, Eden Bernardy, Onica Martin, Kaitlyn Storgaard, Maddy Swanson, Sofia Brooks, Melanie Short, Sierra James, Madyn Cline-Malarz, Taya Benson.
Schedule
12/2: Meridian 57, Friday Harbor 35
12/9: Meridian 55, Sehome 51
12/12: @
Burlington-Edison
12/17: @ Squalicum
12/20: vs. Blaine
12/21: @ Cedarcrest
12/26: vs. Sultan
1/4: @ Mount Baker
1/6: @ Lynden
Christian
1/9: vs. Anacortes
1/13: @ Nooksack Valley
1/16: vs. Oak Harbor
1/21: @ Lynden
1/25: @ Lakewood
1/28: vs. Ferndale
1/31: vs. Mount Vernon
2/4: @ SedroWoolley
2/7: vs. Bellingham
Meridian boys basketball
Schedule
12/2: Meridian 67, Bear Creek 66
12/9: Sehome 60, Meridian 54
12/12: vs.
Burlington-Edison
12/17: @ Squalicum
12/20: vs. Blaine
12/26: vs. Seattle
Christian
1/4: @ Mount Baker
1/6: vs. Lynden
Christian
1/9: @ Anacortes
1/13: vs. Nooksack
Valley
1/16: @ Oak Harbor
1/21: vs. Lynden
1/25: vs. Lakewood
1/28: @ Ferndale
1/31: @ Mount Vernon
2/4: vs. SedroWoolley
2/7: vs. Bellingham
Roster: Hanne Feller, Dakota Hill, Claire Hinkleman, Lauren Lipton, Natalie Nunez, Audrey Terpstra, Annabelle Thornton, Tehay Wang.
Schedule
11/13: Meridian 1490, Anacortes 1300 11/18: Meridian 1511, Blaine 1202 11/20: Squalicum 1555, Meridian 1489 11/22: Meridian 1832, Jackson 746 12/4: Meridian 1691, Mount Vernon 1556 12/6: Meridian 1540,
BurlingtonEdison 1389 12/10: vs. Ferndale 12/16: @ BurlingtonEdison 1/10: @ Anacortes
1/13: vs. Blaine 1/15: vs. Squalicum
1/17: @ Everett 1/21: @ Jackson 1/24: vs. Cascade
Meridian boys wrestling
Roster: Makoy Arnold, Peyton Bender, Landen Downey, Jonathan Henry, Jax Hurlbut, Wyatt Leuenberger, Treyson Lewis-Kelley, Adrian Meza, Carson Siadal, Vincent Truong, Ethan Valich, Maddox Wolven.
Schedule
11/30: vs. Multi-team event (two wins)
12/7: @ Bellingham - Multiteam event (zero wins)
12/18: @ Mount Baker
1/15: vs. Blaine
1/18: @ Issaquah - Multiteam event
1/22: vs. Nooksack Valley
Meridian girls wrestling
Schedule
12/5: @ Bellingham - Multi-team event (zero wins)
12/7: @ StanwoodMulti-team event
12/14: @ Everett - Multi-team event
12/19: vs. Nooksack Valley 12/21: @
CaveleroMulti-team event
12/28: @ Blaine - Multi-team event
1/11: @ Oak Harbor - Multiteam event
1/15: @ Bellingham
1/22: @ Lynden
1/29: vs. Lakewood and Squalicum
Roster: Kassidy Daniel Carroll, Kennedy Farrar, Aaliyah Fuentes, Hailey Horsmon, Abby Huerta Garcia, Sukhpreet Kaur, Sarena Mander, Jessica Mendez Ortiz, Shaylynn Nalbach, Priya Sangha, Grace Schroeder, Gretchen Zandstra.
Mount Baker boys basketball
Schedule
12/2: Mount Baker
69, Coupeville 47
12/4: Mount Baker
68, Orcas Island 50
12/7: Mount Baker
74, Friday Harbor 49
12/9: SedroWoolley 82, Mount Baker 56
12/13: @ Bellingham
12/17: vs. Sehome
12/20: @ Burlington-Edison
12/23: vs. Granite Falls
1/6: @ South
Whidbey
1/8: vs. Blaine
1/11: @ Squalicum
1/14: vs. Lynden
Christian
1/18: @ Anacortes
1/22: @ Nooksack
Valley
1/22: vs. Nooksack
Valley
1/24: vs. Oak
Harbor
1/27: @ Lynden
1/30: vs. Lakewood
2/3: vs. Ferndale
2/6: @ Mount Vernon
Roster: Luke Smith, Darius Gilstrap, Jordan Bailey, Gage Smith, Cole Lukes, Kell Reardon, Payten Abitia, Cameron Scott, Carter Hill, Christopher Armbright, Brice Cooper.
Mount Baker girls basketball
Schedule
12/2: Mount Baker 53, Coupeville 34
12/4: Mount Baker 43, Orcas Island 29
12/7: Mount Baker 53, Friday Harbor 27
12/9: SedroWoolley 60, Mount Baker 31
12/13: vs. Bellingham
12/17: @ Sehome
12/19: vs. BurlingtonEdison 12/23: vs. Granite
Falls
1/4: vs. Meridian
1/8: vs. Blaine
1/11: @ Squalicum
1/14: @ Lynden
Christian
1/18: vs. Anacortes
1/22: @ Nooksack
Valley
1/24: @ Oak
Harbor
1/27: vs. Lynden
1/30: vs. Lakewood
2/3: @ Ferndale
2/6: vs. Mount Vernon
Mount Baker boys wrestling
Roster: Oliver Amero, Rob Anderson, Jett Baker-Ackerman, Holden Bell, Carson Casillas, Cole Christensen, Gavin Compton, James Cranbourne, Isaac DeKriek, Bram Digby, Shaun Dugger, Jesus Escobar-Ramos, Tyler Evans, Dhavyon Everidge, Lakai Fairbanks, Breckin Fowler, Wyatt Freeman, Jayden Gauf, Nolan Jeretzsky, Joe Jordan, James Kalsbeek, Ross Kalsbeek, Raymond Klinesmith, Elijah Knutzen, Henrik Knutzen, Sylis Maple, Tommy McCann, Bryson McConnell, Gunner McGrath, Dylan Moa, Kody Moa, Andrew Montieth, Jeremiah Sheridan, Henry Tobin, Ryder Patron.
Schedule
11/30: @ Meridian - Multi-team event (zero wins)
12/11: vs. Sehome and Squalicum
12/14: @ Cashmere - Multiteam event
12/18: vs. Meridian
12/28: @ Vashon - Multi-team event
1/4: @ Sultan - Multi-team event
1/21: @ Blaine
1/25: @ Lynden - Multi-team event
Mount Baker girls wrestling
Schedule
12/7: @ Stanwood - Multi-team event
12/11: vs. Sehome and Squalicum
12/14: @ Everett - Multi-team event
12/18: @ Sedro-Woolley
12/21: @ Juanita - Multi-team event
12/28: @ Blaine - Multi-team event
1/11: @ Kelso - Multi-team event
1/15: @ Oak Harbor
1/23: vs. Ferndale
Roster: Graham Allison, Kelly Camacho, Stephany Camacho, Karalyn Cook, Wriley Courtney, Grace Gates, Zoey Mitchell, Avah Moa, Emily Moa, Sophia Moa, Nina Olson, Tyla Olson, Alina Romanyuk, Trexie Villaver, Ana Camacho.