1A/2A/3A District Tournament Previews
- Ted House
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Ten weeks of Northwest Conference basketball now seems like it went by in about five minutes. We turn the page to the post-season, and here is a preview of what is around the corner.
1A BOYS
GAME #1
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 700pm, Loser Out
Winner at #1 Lynden Christian, Friday, Feb 13, 730pm
The Mountaineers have lost 12 straight games and the Borderites have lost ten straight games. But that’s the life of 1A teams in a league stacked with 2A and 3A teams. They play a brutal schedule and have to use those losses as growth for this moment.
The Borderites are coming off of a one-point loss at Sedro-Woolley, and have league wins over Bellingham and Mount Baker (71-61). This is the fifth season of the five-team 1A district tournament. This is the third straight time that these teams have met in this game. The Mountaineers won those two, last year 47-46.
Each team’s leading scorer is their big guy: 6-6 senior Landon Melton for the Borderties (12ppg), and 6-5 junior, and three-year starter, Kell Reardon (14ppg) for the Mountaineers. They are the only players who average in double-figures, so one of those lineups will have to go above and beyond.
GAME #2
Friday, Feb. 13, 700pm
Winner to semifinals
Speaking of familiarity, these two teams are in this position for the third straight year. And, for the four years of this tournament, where only two teams advance, the Pioneers have finished third each time. And each time to the hands of the Trojans.
In their regular season matchup, the Pioneers overcame a 21-point second quarter deficit, and the 22 first half points from Trojan junior guard, Gabe Galbraith. The Pioneers tied the score but lost on a free throw by junior Pierce Brzozowski with point-four seconds left.
The Trojans have players who have had breakout games like that. Senior 6-5 center Daniel Larsen tossed in 33 points against Ferndale, and Brzozowski had 34 in their last game, which was an overtime loss at Bellingham.
The Pioneers have four very capable jump-shooters in, Cole Coppinger, Crew Bauman, Jayden Anderson, and Owen Wichers. All 6-0 to 6-3 and all seniors, they also used that length aggressively defending the passing lanes on defense.
Whether these teams play once or twice in this tournament, they will most certainly be games to watch.
GAME #3
Friday, Feb. 13, 730pm
Winner to Semifinals
The Lyncs would seem to be a shoo-in for their fifth straight 1A district title, which will put them in position for a run toward a state title. Going undefeated through the Northwest Conference gauntlet of 15 games is a major accomplishment on its own.
The guard duo of juniors Dawson Hintz (22ppg) and Gunnar Dykstra (17ppg) is one of the most dynamic in the state. They also combine for nine assists a game. Junior 6-4 forward Kaden Veldman (13ppg/10rebs) can score, rim protect and run the floor. Add the strength of 6-2 senior Boyce Robertson, and the speed and shooting of senior Eli Maberry and junior Harvest Howell, and the Lyncs have all the pieces in place.
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
The foursome of Mount Baker, Blaine, Nooksack Valley, and Meridian are well off the pace of Lynden Christian, but much closer in competition to each other than in previous years. The Pioneers should be focused on getting out of that third-place rut. These teams are closer to each other this year, so funny things could happen among those four, but something tells me we are headed toward another Meridian-Nooksack showdown.
1A GIRLS
GAME #1
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 700pm
Winner at #1 Lynden Christian, Friday, Feb 13, 530pm
GAME #2
Friday, Feb. 13, 500pm
Winner to Semifinals
Game #3
Friday, Feb. 13, 530pm
Winner to Semifinals
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
Much like the boy’s tournament over the past four years, Lynden Christian and Nooksack Valley have split the four titles, while Meridian has been left home in third place each time.
The Lyncs only losses have been to Lake Stevens, Napavine, and Lynden. The Lyncs and Pioneers seem to be heavy favorites to continue their dominance in the 1A tournament.
The difference this year for the 1A boys and girls’ qualifiers (top two), is the fact that they will go directly to state. They will not have to play the play-in games with District 2 this year. District two sends their top three to state.
2A BOYS
PLAY-IN GAME
Monday, Feb. 9, 600pm
Winner at #1 Lynden, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 600pm
The young Tomahawks from the Wesco 2A/3A North went 0-5 against NWC teams this year, including a 71-24 loss to the hands of the Bayhawks. They have lost five straight games, all by 34 or more points.
The Bayhawks got by Meridian in overtime in their last game of the season. They have been streaky but have pushed some of the league’s top teams. They lost to Lynden by 11, and Anacortes by 12. They also have a 10-point loss to Sehome, and a five-pointer to Burlington-Edison. Senior forward Joe Harward (22ppg) gets outside help from junior guard Calvin Van Hofwegen (12ppg). They will need a third source, which could be sophomore guard Emmett Vanhouten (8ppg).
GAME #1
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
The Storm had a five-game winning streak in the middle of the season but lost six in a row before beating Oak Harbor in their final regular season game. Three juniors lead the team in scoring, led by Blake Elston (14ppg). Hunter Calloway averages 11 points per game, after missing the 2025 portion of the season. Orion Grandberg-Kiddle, at 6-5, gives the Storm 11 a game.
The Seahawks beat the Storm 53-43 in the regular season. Senior 6-4 forward Micah Dickison leads the Seahawks at 21 points per game. The Roberts twins, 6-5 Lucas and 6-5 Spencer, add 12 and 11 points a game to the Seahawks. The Seahawks, as they have for years, put pressure on you at both ends of the floor. They are among the top teams in the league in scoring defense.
GAME #2
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
The Wildcats, from the Wesco 2A/3A South, are close to an unknown to the NWC. They played Anacortes to a five-point loss in December, 64-59. They have three tough guards in 6-0 senior Willie Sears, 6-0 sophomore Carter Hagen, and 5-10 freshman, Vlad Bondarchuk. Those three have an upper-level knowledge and feel for the game.
The Mariners won six of their last seven games, including the final over Burlington-Edison. Senior forward Xavier Kelley scores a smooth 18 points a game to lead the Mariners. Junior guard Quincy Tanovan adds 10 more, with four-year starter at the point, Logan Wright at just under ten points a game. The recent difference in the Mariners is the inside duo of seniors Cole Turrell and Carter Duckworth. Duckworth has shown steady improvement throughout the year, and Wright has increased his scoring, averaging 18 points per game in his last three games.
GAME #3
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
The defending district champion Cougars won at Burlington 54-43 during the regular season. The Tigers have 26 points a game from 6-6 senior forward Logan Heigert, while senior guard Madden Whitlock, at 15 a game, has scored 28 and 25 in his last two games.
Lakewood is led by their all-everything, senior guard Caleb Greenland. (Average unknown but must be 20+). The Cougars have only three seniors and start four underclassmen. Juniors Derek Willson and Drew Egger, along with sophomores Carter Langum and Chase Kirkpatrick can all drive and shoot three’s off each other.
GAME #4
#1 Lynden Lions (12-3/15-6) hosts Play-In Winner
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
The Lions are nearly at full health after missing seniors Ty Jorgenson and Spencer Adams for several games. They have won nine of ten games since they returned to full minutes. They are still awaiting the arrival of 6-6 junior forward Lewis Whitney, who could return soon from a hand injury in late December.
They seem to have their high-low game running well with Adams and Jorgenson complimenting each other, and reliable outside shooters in juniors Malachi Koenen and Gordy Bedlington, along with sophomore Jayden Navarre. They will host the Marysville-Pilchuck vs Bellingham winner. The Lions beat the Bayhawks 60-49 in the regular season.
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
As I have said many times, this is the deepest and most competitive field of teams in a district tournament that I can recall. Did the fight for seeds mean anything at all? It could be that the top three all advance, but if they do, the rest won’t go down easy. I think there are seven, maybe even eight teams that have at least a decent shot at getting into the top three.
Remember, only the top two teams advance directly to state. The third-place team will have one more game to win in order to qualify. That game will be an away game against the third-place team from the CWAC, in their District 5 Tournament.
2A Girls
PLAY-IN GAME
#9 Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks (1-9/1-19) at Bellingham Bayhawks (4-8/10-10)
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 600pm
GAME #1
Thursday, Feb.12, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
GAME #2
Thursday, Feb. 12, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
GAME #3
Thursday, Feb. 12, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
GAME #4
#1 Lynden Lions (13-0/20-0) hosts Play-in Winner
Thursday, Feb. 12, 600pm
Winner to Semifinals
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
The Lynen Lions will be after their 69th straight win in their first post-season game. They are the clear favorite in this tournament, with Archbishop Murphy hoping for a shot at them in the finals. But the Storm and Mariners will also be in pursuit of a spot in the top three.
Opposite from the boy’s tournament, the girls third-place team will host the state tournament play-in game with the third-place team from District 5.
3A Boys
Play-In Game B
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #2 Monroe, Friday, Feb. 13, 700pm
This will be a tough one for the Golden Eagles, but they have played a very challenging schedule this year. Meadowdale beat Lynden by three points early in the season and has a quick team with excellent shooters.
Ferndale played well against #1 Edmonds-Woodway this season in an 11-point loss. Mantaj Singh and his 20 points per game average will have to be on schedule, or better, plus help from the crew. Sophomores Houston Wills and Tracen Pazaski average 11 points a game with Wills shooting nearly 40-percent from 3-point range.
Play-In Game C
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #4 Shorewood, Friday, Feb. 13, 700pm
The Cubs beat the Spartans 57-46 in their first game of the season, and since then, the two have gone in opposite directions. The Spartans have a six-game and a four-game losing streak and have currently lost three in a row. The Cubs are one of the hottest teams in the tourney, having won ten straight games.
Senior forward Ethan DeJong and his 28 points per game average is getting lots of help, especially from senior guard Cliff Tadema (13ppg) and senior forward Isaac Johnson (10ppg). Senior guard Jae Thompson has been a top defender all season, plus hitting big shots in big games. The Cubs lost to Shorewood in the winner to state game last year, 45-43.
Play-In Game D
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #1 Edmonds-Woodway, Friday, Feb. 13, 700pm
The Scots broke a five-game losing streak by beating Stanwood in their last game. We will see if the Scots can handle the inside presence of the Bulldogs posts, 6-5 senior Taran Hanjrah (13.5ppg), and 6-7 sophomore Kingston Collins (9ppg). The post-season is about the half-court game, and the Bulldogs do that pretty well.
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
The upper part of the Wesco is full of tough teams, but the Cubs are in the best position to get through to the state tournament. But they will still need to pull of an upset or two. The five senior starters well remember what it takes.
3A Girls
Play-In Game B
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #2 Edmonds-Woodway, Saturday, Feb 14, 700pm
The Seagulls have lost two straight games after a five-game winning streak. They own a 40-20 win over the Golden Eagles in early January.
Play-In Game C
#12 Shorewood Stormrays (2-10/3-18) at Mount Vernon Bulldogs (10-5/14-6)
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #4 Meadowdale, Saturday, Feb. 14, 700pm
Both teams suffered a loss to Squalicum this season, as their one common opponent. The Bulldogs by seven, the Stormrays by 21. The Bulldogs have run off eight straight wins, while the Stormrays have lost ten of their last twelve.
Play-In Game D
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 700pm
Loser Out, Winner to Quarterfinals at #1 Snohomish, Saturday, Feb. 14, 700pm
Both of these teams also have losses to Squalicum, with the Cubs much more competitive in their loss. The Cubs have junior guard 5-7 junior guard Reagan Evans who averages 17 points a game and has the skills to take over a game at any point.
TOURNEY THOUGHTS
Again, the top of the Wesco is very strong, with three teams in the top eight in the state RPI. If that holds true, there is still one spot left. The Golden Eagles, Bulldogs, and Cubs are all in separate brackets to start out, so maybe someone can sneak through.
My thanks to the statistical people out there. Tyler Anderson at WhatcomPreps.com and the Skagit Valley Herald at GoSkagit.com
~ Ted House
Comments