All-Northwest Conference Teams, Plus
- Ted House
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Here is the list of All-Northwest Conference First and Second teams, and a few words on each player. After that, I added some more players worth mentioning for their efforts this season.
Coach of the Year: AJ Yost, Anacortes
Seahawks finished 3rd at the state tournament in his second-year head coach after six years as an assistant with the Seahawks.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Rob Gray, Meridian
Having a veteran coach on your bench is always a good thing.
Player of the Year: Ethan DeJong, Senior, Sedro-Woolley
As smooth and efficient of a player as you will see. Saw every kind of defense and still averaged 28 points per game, and defended your best player.
First Team
Spencer Adams, Senior, Lynden
Developed into an end-to-end player with great outside shooting ability, and a top assist man.
Micah Dickison, Senior, Anacortes
One of the most difficult matchups in the league. Hits big shots from 3-point land or will take you to the rim. State Tournament First Team.
Gunnar Dykstra, Junior, Lynden Christian
State Tournament first team. Quick and light on his feet. Can stop or change direction on a dime and can make any kind of shot. Top shelf basketball IQ.
Caleb Greenland, Senior, Lakewood
The Cougars all-time scoring leader gave coaches headaches for three years. At 6-2, was the Cougars’ “Big Guy.” He could drain three’s or slip through the gaps for inside scores.
Joe Harward, Senior, Bellingham
A freight train with the ball in his hands. Could score in bunches and carry the team through stretches. Highly competitive motor.
Logan Heigert, Senior, Burlington-Edison
Another player with inside/outside abilities with the added feature of being 6-6. Broke the Tigers’ records for single game, season, and career scoring, all formerly held by Evan Coulter who played for the Tigers through the 2010 season.
Dawson Hintz, Junior, Lynden Christian
MVP of the ’26 state tournament for the champion, Lyncs. Unbelievable athleticism with extremely long range. NWC version of the human highlight reel.
Xavier Kelley, Senior, Sehome
Smooth on offense with a jump shot kids should emulate. Always seemed to find the right spot to appear in opponents’ defenses.
Xavier Ochoa, Oak Harbor
Four-year varsity player and three-year starter for the Wildcats. Great all-around game and can score from anywhere.
Second Team
Blake Elston, Junior, Squalicum
Became a solid scorer for the Storm and has a great 1-on-1 game with a variety of moves.
Taran Hanjrah, Senior, Mount Vernon
Made his home at the low post. Good luck stopping this guy in an area that’s been a lost art in recent years.
Ty Jorgenson, Senior, Lynden
Jorgenson was just getting to the top of his game after a late season start due to his summer injury. Became an inside force for the Lions at both ends of the floor.
Lucas Roberts, Junior, Anacortes
Half of the 6-5 twin tandem for the Seahawks. Good outside shooter with the ability to get over the rim. Potential to be a dominant player as a senior.
Spencer Roberts, Junior, Anacortes
Half of the 6-5 twin tandem for the Seahawks. Good outside shooter with the ability to get over the rim. Potential to be a dominant player as a senior.
Mantaj Singh, Senior, Ferndale
He could put 20 in his scoring column on any night. Consistent scorer with a great shooting touch.
Cliff Tadema, Senior, Sedro-Woolley
One of the most improved players in the league. Hit big shots in late season big games.
Kaden Veldman, Junior, Lynden Christian
Very active at both ends of the floor. Can hit the 3-pointer or dominate inside. Great shot blocker at 6-4.
Madden Whitlock, Senior, Burlington-Edison
Another player who improved a lot during the season. Very effective scorer and hit big shots for the Tigers.
Nolan Wright, Senior, Sehome
One of the purest jump shooters around. Four-year quarterback in football and basketball. Spent most of the season as more of a distributor this year but had big scoring games late in the season.
OTHERS who did not make the first or second team but deserve a mention for the types of players they were.
Orion Granberg-Kiddle, junior, Squalicum
He got better and better throughout the season and will be a force inside for the Storm as a senior.
Cole Turrell, senior, Sehome
A big lineman with soft hands. Excellent around the hoop and looked like he had a lot of fun on the basketball floor.
Carter Duckworth, senior, Sehome
One of the league’s most improved players from December to February. Became a steady scorer and much more than Turrell’s wingman.
Owen Wichers, senior Nooksack Valley
Wichers led the Pioneers in scoring and a big reason they returned to state this year.
Kell Reardon, junior, Mount Baker
Reardon has been a starter for three seasons, and one still to go. Big, strong, and athletic and the central piece of the improving Mountaineers.
Gabe Galbraith, junior, Meridian
One of several juniors on the Trojans roster. Scored 22 points in a half against Nooksack in January.
Boyce Robertson, senior, Lynden Christian
Robertson had a late start to the season but gave the Lyncs more and more each game. He saved his best for last against Zillah in the state championship.
Brody Price, senior, Lynden
The muscular 6-0 guard often defended much taller players and thrived on it. Hustle to the extreme.
Tracen Pazaski, sophomore, Ferndale
Averaged 11 points a game for the Golden Eagles and will be a key piece next year.
Houston Wills, sophomore, Ferndale
Also averaged 11 points a game for Ferndale and became one of the better outside shooters in the league.
Landon Melton, senior, Blaine
Strong all-around player for the Borderites at both ends of the floor.
Calvin Van Hofwegen, senior, Bellingham
Did hit damage on the perimeter with his 3-point shooting. He hit seven in their rivalry game with Sehome.
Jae Thompson, senior, Sedro-Woolley
Even with teammate Ethan DeJong, it seemed like Thompson was the heart and soul of the Cubs. He had a huge game against Mount Vernon that eliminated the Bulldogs from the 3A district tournament.
Kingston Collins, sophomore, Mount Vernon
The 6-7 soph couldn’t help but learn the low post from Taran Hanjrah. He could be a dominant player over the next two seasons for the Bulldogs.
Derek Wilson, junior, Lakewood
He won’t replace the scoring of Caleb Greenland, but his game is steals and drives to the rim with reckless abandon.
Paxton Booth, senior, Burlington-Edison
Booth always seemed to be “Mr. Right Place, Right Time” for the Tigers. He had a bunch of big-time scores for the Tigers.
Ryan Harrington, junior, Anacortes
A guy who did the dirty work all season for the Seahawks and had his best games in Yakima.
~ Ted House