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Continued from B1 those games and were given the six-seed in the state tournament.

e Lions were a buzzsaw once they reached regionals and the Yakima state tournament.

ey won all four of their games by 18 points or more, it was like they turned on an extra gear when they got to state. Junior Anthony Canales was the driving force behind the Lions’ big o ensive games. He was named as the 2A state tournament Most Valuable Player. is is the second straight year he has won Most Valuable Player. Canales had his most points of the tournament in the state title win. He scored 23 points and added ve rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. Canales was left speechless after the game and said it did not feel real to win another championship. e other standout player for the Lions was senior Kobe Baar. He had 16 points on 8-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals. He also got his rst career dunk late in the fourth and it sent the crowd crazy. Baar was named as an All-Tournament second-team selection.

Baar said, “I just feel blessed that I get to be able to have the opportunity to play for this program and play with these people.” e championship game was a physical one. ere were at least 30 fouls called in total and it put a lot of players in foul trouble early.

One of those players was senior Coston “Bubba”

Parcher who fouled out in the fourth quarter. A couple of the calls made on Parcher received loud boos from the Lynden fans. Once he had to leave the game, the crowd started an endearing “we love Bubba” chant. e Lynden defense was the most impressive part of their game. Mark Morris guard Braydon Olson scored 21 points on 7-23 shooting and was the lone bright spot for the Monarchs. As a team, Mark Morris shot 14-48 from the eld and 1-15 from the three-point line. Lynden was too prepared on defense.

Early in the game, Parcher was e ective with seven points in the rst and second quarters. He helped give the Lions an 11-8 lead at the end of the rst. When Parcher was hit with foul calls, junior Brady Elsner stepped up to play an important role. He was solid on defense and was not intimidated by the talented Mark Morris guards.

Roper said their defenders play hard for each other and it provides an o ensive boost for them.

“Our kids buy in and believe in it,” Roper said. “I think they play so hard for each other, and are so committed to the defense and rebounding.” e Lions scored 19 points in the third and blew the doors o the game. e Lions pulled ahead by 20 with four minutes remaining in the game after a Canales fast break bucket. e Lions and Mark Morris both subbed in all of their reserves and let the game run out.

Lynden started to pull away after halftime. ey had a 25-16 lead at the beginning of the third quarter.

It is the fourth time in Lynden's history that they have won back-to-back state championships. ey joined the Lynden football team in winning back-toback state championships this year.