Lions Get Past Seahawks, Plus Outlook on District Tourneys

The Lynden Lions passed their first exam of finals week, with a 61-51 win over the Anacortes Seahawks, Tuesday night, at Jake Maberry Gym. 

This battle between two of the 2A heavyweights meant the inside track to the top seed in next week’s district tournament.  But as I have said before, I think seed placement in this year’s tournament means less than in most years due to the depth of the entire field.

This game took on a heavy dose of a defensive focus from both benches, but each team did get in a good offensive run.  The Seahawks customary 2-3 zone was abandoned just two minutes into the contest, and, even though the Seahawks came out on the short end, it was the correct move.  The Lions move the basketball around a zone defense as well as any team in the state, but the change to a man-to-man defense slowed the Lions passing game.

In the last minute of the opening quarter, the Lions took a 14-10 lead on a drive by sophomore forward Jayden Navarre.  But by the time the game neared the last minute of the half, the Seahawks outscored the Lions 20-6, for a 30-20 lead.  The Lions scored the final three points of the half to trail by seven at intermission.

Parts of that 20-6 run by the Seahawks included a four-point play by junior guard Lucas Roberts, and an emphatic one-handed jam by his twin, Spencer Roberts, off of a Lions turnover near the Seahawks basket.

The Lions closed the gap to three points early in the third quarter.  Then junior guard Malachi Koenen made a diving steal at mid court which led to a two-hand dunk by senior forward Ty Jorgenson.  On the Seahawks next possession, Koenen knocked the ball loose again, which junior guard Gordy Bedlington took for a break away lay-in, giving the Lions a 33-32 lead after three minutes of play in the quarter.

The Lions held a lead of seven points in the middle of the fourth quarter until senior forward Micah Dickison hit a 3-point shot to get the Seahawks to within four points with 3:25 to play, but the Seahawks were shut out the rest of the way. 

Through the second half, the Lions outscored the Seahawks 38-21.  Dickison was responsible for eight of the Seahawks ten fourth quarter points.  He led the Seahawks with 14.  Spencer Roberts finished with 12.

Senior forward Spencer Adams led the Lions with 23 points, which included three 3-point shots and several drives to the rim.  The Lions also went to Adams for key scores in the low post when they recognized defensive mismatches.  Bedlington and Malachi Koenen scored ten points each for the Lions.

The Seahawks (11-3) have another final exam on Thursday, when they host Lakewood (10-4).  The Cougars are coming off of an 83-54 loss to Lynden Christian on Tuesday.  The Lions (11-3) finish at Nooksack Valley on Friday.  A win by the Lions will lock up the top seed to the district tournament, something that seemed unlikely a few weeks ago. 

The Seahawks and Cougars are running #2 and #3, respectively, in the 2A district RPI.  As I have said all season, there isn’t much difference in any of the top five 2A clubs.  The top four teams do get a home game in the first round of the district tournament. 

Over the first two nights of the week, all four 3A teams held serve over four 1A teams.  On Tuesday, Sedro-Woolley beat Meridian.  On Monday, Oak Harbor beat Nooksack Valley; Mount Vernon defeated Blaine; and Ferndale got a win over Mount Baker.

Here is what that means for 3A:

Ferndale (6-8) hosts Lynden Christian on Thursday.  Should the Golden Eagles finish 6-9 they will still be in the 3A district tournament.

Mount Vernon (6-8) will qualify with a win over Mount Baker on Thursday.

Oak Harbor (5-9) needs a win over Squalicum on Friday, but, before that, they need the Mountaineers to beat the Bulldogs.  The Wildcats have a head-to-head win over the Bulldogs if they end up tied.

Only three of the four 3A teams in the NWC will qualify for the district tournament.

1A:

Meridian, Nooksack Valley, Blaine, and Mount Baker all have one game left, and would all be considered underdogs.  However, if one of them gets a win, it won’t change the order, as the team above said team still has the tiebreaker.

~ Ted House