Here are the first and second team honorees as voted on by Northwest Conference coaches and the first thing that comes to my mind about each player.
Head Coach of the Year: Anthony Wiederkehr II, Lakewood
Coach Wiederkehr always gets 100-percent-plus out of his players. Always a tough team to prepare for. Got to state with one starter over 6-feet tall.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Ray Ootsey, Squalicum
Storm guards definitely benefit from the knowledge of the former WWU star.
Player of the Year: Brant Heppner, senior, Lynden
Though the Lions didn’t place at state his senior year, he had a big hand in the three prior to that. Took his game to new heights. Averaged 22 points and shot an amazing 40-percent from 3-point range. Named WIBCA Mr. Basketball for 2A.
FIRST TEAM
Gannon Dykstra, senior, Lynden Christian
Averaged 23 points a game but worth much more than that. Latest in a long line of dangerous LC shooters. 1A State Tournament First Team.
Talon Jenkins, senior, Meridian
Averaged 18 a game against every defense imaginable, but didn’t force the issue. At 6-7, tough to get a hand in his face. 1A State Tournament 2nd Team.
Ethan DeJong, junior, Sedro-Woolley
Once averaged 53 points per game! Settled for just under 26. If you want to learn how to move without the ball, watch DeJong. He moves and makes you pay when get gets it. Seems to go from half court to the rim on a single bounce.
Caleb Greenland, junior, Lakewood
I call him the “Swiss Army Knife” because of the different things he can do. Smooth player and at 6-2, the Cougars tallest starter, and can score from anywhere.
Micah Dickison, junior, Anacortes
Active and aggressive player with tremendous athleticism. Tough to guard with his inside-outside game.
Caden Heutink, senior, Nooksack Valley
Four-year starter for the Pioneers. Smart and savvy, clutch player.
Evan Stacey, senior, Lakewood
Like a magician, he will make the ball disappear from your hands. Four-year starter for the Cougars. Known for his defense for three years, became a capable shooter who scored when needed.
Jaeger Fyfe, senior, Meridian
Also, a 1A State Tournament second-teamer. Combines 3-point accuracy with aggressive drives to the rim.
Logan Heigert, junior, Burlington-Edison
Smooth, 6-6 high scoring lefty. Another tall one who’s tough to guard with skills outside and inside.
SECOND TEAM
Timophey Feskov, senior, Burlington-Edison
At 6-8, best rim protector in the league. Gets the ball down floor with a good outlet pass, and runs the floor well.
Marcus Nixon, senior, Squalicum
Hard to guard in football and basketball. Good floor leader who can score in bunches. Averaged 15ppg.
Dawson Hintz, sophomore, Lynden Christian
Second team All-NWC and 1A State Tournament First Team as a sophomore. Off the chart athleticism. (I can’t wait for the 2027 senior night dunk contest).
Michael Johnson Jr., senior, Mount Vernon
Became the #1 option for the Bulldogs this season. Clutch shooter, and can score in bunches.
Xavier Ochoa, junior, Oak Harbor
Their town is out there a ways, but he’s a player you must see. 6-3 guard who has all the offensive tools as the Wildcats get better each year.
Jonah Brillowsky, senior, Ferndale
Smooth offensive player at 6-5 transformed his game to go end to end. Good 3-point shooter, with ability to create space and score inside.
Kindade Van Houten, senior, Bellingham
Wing player who’s a very slippery scorer from the arc to the rim.
Joe Harward, junior, Bellingham
Nothing subtle about Joe Harward. If he has any sort of path to the rim, he will take it. Rough and gritty and can carry the team through stretches.
Spencer Adams, junior, Lynden
Known for 3-point shooting, but a very strong rebounder with a good nose for the ball. When he gets it, you don’t get it back.
Hunter Calloway, sophomore, Squalicum
Averaged 15ppg like his senior running mate, Nixon. Will be the Storm’s go-to guy next season.
OTHERS not named to first or second team, but I would like to recognize for their talents:
Jake Andrew, senior, Anacortes
Lived on the wings shooting 3’s last year. Quick and elusive with the ball this year, and still a dangerous shooter.
Josiah Weeds, senior, Blaine
Smooth wing averaged double-figures for the Borderites.
Abdul Kanagie, senior Blaine
Raw but exciting player who improved greatly from last year.
Spencer Betz, senior, Burlington-Edison
No one had more hustle than Betz. Big elevation on the jumper and did the little things for the Tigers.
Mantaj Singh, junior, Ferndale
Will be “the man” for the Golden Eagles next season. Averaged 15ppg this year. Versatile scorer.
Hunter Wills, senior, Ferndale
Good outside shooter with great athleticism. Averaged double-figures for the Golden Eagles.
Quinton Steen, senior, Lakewood
One of a handful of effective outside shooters for the Cougars.
JJ Hoekendorf, senior, Lakewood
Good shooter and a top defender who added great toughness to the Cougars.
Nash Espe, senior, Lakewood
Another in the Lakewood mold. Tough to defend from the arc to the rim.
Jack Stapleton, senior, Lynden
At 6-7, usually drew the opponent’s best player. Foot problems kept him out of several games the past two seasons, and from a much higher ranking on this list.
Gunnar Dykstra, sophomore, Lynden Christian
Expert in creating for others and for himself. Dangerous shooter from anywhere. Top level game savvy.
Luke VanKooten, senior, Lynden Christian
Became as feared of a 3-point marksman as anyone in the league.
Pierce Brzozowski, sophomore, Meridian
He was the fuel for the Trojans, getting the ball to Jenkins and Fyfe. Capable scorer when called upon, which will be the case the next two years.
James Hedahl, senior, Meridian
Gave the Trojans inside strength. Played with great hustle. As the big guy, was often the first one down the floor.
Darius Gilstrap, senior, Mount Baker
Got better and better as the year went along. Quick and could score from the outside or on the run.
Taran Hanjrah, junior, Mount Vernon
Another player who showed great improvement throughout the season. Became a strong inside player for the Bulldogs, delivering around the rim.
Corey Olney, senior, Nooksack Valley
Excellent jump shooter who could score in streaks.
Nolan Wright, junior, Sehome
Excellent QB in basketball as well as football. A-plus jump shot.
Xavier Kelley, junior, Sehome
Brings great athleticism to the Mariners. Double-figure scorer. Will draw the attention of the opposition next year.
Cliff Tadema, junior, Sedro-Woolley
Quick, aggressive, and athletic. Plays both ends as a scorer and a defender.
Isaac Johnson, junior, Sedro-Woolley
At 6-5 is a very good outside shooter, and helped get the Cubs to the edge of a state tournament berth this year.
~ Ted House
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