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Over and Back 2023

by
Hoop

Nine 1A and 2A boys and girls teams from the Northwest Conference took a trip to the SunDome in Yakima for their respective state tournaments. While it was difficult losing three on Wednesday’s elimination day, the other six were still playing on Saturday. Half of those six won championships. The other three finished second, second, and third.

This is still the Northwest Conference of Champions.

But before we talk about state, we need to review the Northwest Conference’s regular season.

This was the best, and most exciting boys basketball season in the history of the NWC, which dates back to the 2006-07 season.

The three-headed monster in 2A between Anacortes, Sehome and Lynden was epic. Lynden beat Anacortes; Anacortes beat Sehome; and Sehome beat Lynden. When you add Lynden Christian to the mix, well that’s like a foursome of Nicklaus, Watson, Miller, and Palmer. (Or, for you youngsters, Woods, Spieth, Thomas, and McIlroy).

Their games were physical, emotional, and intense. My only worry was that they might spend too much energy on each other, and not have enough for the rest of the state.

Starting with the 2A classification, no 2A tournament has ever been deeper. I thought there were seven teams in the top eight in the RPI list that could win the championship. If there was one that I didn’t give that chance to, it was #4 Renton. Going into regionals, I didn’t think they had what it took to be in the final mix. Great record. Only one loss, but a low strength of schedule, and a league that did not prepare them for what was next.

Anacortes, Sehome and Lynden were a given. Each had the talent, bench, and brains to win the big one. Mark Morris is a constant top 10 program. No titles since 1987, but they are always a factor. RA Long, right across the I-5 from the Monarchs campus, beat them for their district title, so they were in the mix as well.

Pullman came in undefeated, but they are hard to get a vibe on because they play a lot of teams from Idaho. But they have been a strong state level program for over a decade and were in last year’s championship game. Prosser was the champion of the CWAC and split two games with Lynden and Sehome in December.

I would even give you #13 North Kitsap and #11 Tumwater as “sleepers.” The Vikings have a fantastic junior guard tandem, and Tumwater is physically as tough as they come.

The fact that Sehome lost to Mark Morris, and Anacortes lost to Prosser in the regional round, proves what I said about the depth of the 2A field.

To take it further, around the state, there were 12 state tournaments. There were nine #1 seeds that won championships in 2023. The other champions were a #2, a #4, and a #6.

In the 2A title game, #6 Lynden beat #4 Mark Morris. #1 Pullman took third by beating #7 Prosser. And #11 Tumwater beat #13 North Kitsap for 4th. In the 2A boys tournament, the number in front of your name was worth less than a bag of spilled popcorn on the SunDome floor.

Unfortunately, those regional losses sent the Mariners and the Seahawks to Wednesday games in the SunDome, where there is no room for error. The Seahawks were beaten by #10 Enumclaw, and the Mariners were nipped by North Kitsap. On the girls side, Lynden was eliminated by Othello, while Burlington-Edison finished second for the second straight year, losing in both title games to a very powerful Ellensburg team.

As I said at the top, six of the nine teams from the NWC were still playing on Saturday. Last year was a great year for the league trophy case as the NWC brought home three titles and two second place finishes. This year, there were three more championships, two seconds and a third place. No teams were eliminated after Wednesday’s games.

Lynden’s run to the title was amazing. After losing to Sehome in the district semifinals, the Lions had to win two loser out games to get to regionals. Then they beat Archbishop Murphy by 40 points, and Lakewood by 17 to qualify. Their matchup with #4 Renton in the regional round was probably the best matchup they could get versus anyone in the top eight.

Eighteen became a very popular number for the Lions as they rolled to their 12th state championship. They beat Renton by 18, then shocked North Kitsap by 34, a team they beat at the buzzer in January.

The Lions won their last two games by 18 points as well, defeating Prosser in the state semis, and Mark Morris in the final. In their last six post-season games, the Lions surrendered only 41.2 points per game, and margin of victory of 24.2.

The Lions have won an unprecedented four of the last five 2A championships, giving them six 2A titles in all. They have combined with their own football program to win back-to-back championships in each of the last two school years, and for the sixth time in their history.

They have also won state championships four times in the same season as Lynden Christian.

Speaking of the Lyncs, they also had a one-sided statistical finish to their 26-2 season, and their second straight title.

In the post-season, the Lyncs went 7-0, with the closest game being the 10-point win over Kings in the championship game. They gave up an average of 44.4 points per game in their last seven, and a margin of victory of 24.4. This was the Lyncs third title in the last five years.

Even though Zillah was upset by Blaine in the regional round, the 1A state tournament was still centered around their own three-headed monster. With the Lyncs 2023 championship included, over the last nine years, LC, Zillah and Kings have evenly split those nine titles. They also have combined for five second place finishes in that span.

Blaine’s win did put them in great position. They avoided the Wednesday elimination game and handled Overlake in the quarterfinals. They did run in to Kings in the semis, but the way they responded the next day against Toppenish was amazing.

The Borderites game with Kings was a 9pm tip. It’s always tough to read a team after they lose a semifinal game, on how hard they will come back the next day. Not only that, but their 3rd place game started at 1pm. That’s a quick turnaround, but the Borderites handled it like champions, beating Toppenish 70-60.

In the last five tournaments, including regional games, the Lions have a record on 19-1. The Lyncs are 18-2 over that same time.

In 25 seasons of the 2A classification, teams from the NWC have won the gold ball 12 times and finished second nine times. The last to win a championship other than Lynden was Squalicum’s back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

In the 2022-23 NWC season, six teams reached 18 wins or more, with three winning 20 or more. That betters the 2009-10 season in which five teams won 18-plus, with three reaching 20 or more.

It was another Northwest Conference get-together in Saturday’s finals. In fact, three of the four championship games were rematches of 2022.

The Nooksack Valley and Lynden Christian girls met for the 1A championship, this time it was the Pioneers taking the win in the final minute. The Tiger girls took second to Ellensburg in 2A.

On the boys side, Lynden Christian met Kings in the championship game for the third straight year. In 2022, Lynden played Pullman for the title, this time it was Mark Morris, who beat Pullman by three points the day before.

To the real important stuff, the SunDome could do better with concessions. Huge crowds each day and two concession stands. Problem was, one would open late and close early. There also used to be some fantastic ice cream, walking tacos, and a pizza stand, but no more.

The flavored lemonade stand did save the day for the second straight year.

A couple more numbers: last year, I set a personal record in witnessing 74 games. I blew that away this year, as the Lynden-Mark Morris game was #89. Probably more impressive was the 47 that my wife saw!

How will they top 2023? Wait and see, next year.

~ Ted House

2022-23 All-Northwest Conference Girls Basketball Team

by
Girls Basketball

The 2022-23 All-Northwest Conference Girls Basketball Team has been announced, as voted on by league coaches.

The Northwest Conference Player of the Year is Devin Coppinger, from 1A state champion, Nooksack Valley.

The Coach of the Year, is Nooksack Valley’s Shane Wichers. Assistant Coach of the Year is Clare Martin of Bellingham.

For the complete list of first and second teams, please see the attachment below.

2022-23 All-NWC Girls Basketball

2022-23 All-Northwest Conference Boys Basketball Teams

by
Girls Basketball

The 2022-23 edition of the All-Northwest Conference Boys Basketball team has been announced, as voted on by league coaches.

The Player of the Year is Sophomore, Davis Fogle, from NWC Champion, Anacortes.

The Coach of the Year is Brett Senff, also from Anacortes. The Assistant Coach of the year is Lakewood’s TJ Rice.

For the complete list of first and second teams, please see the attachment below.

2022-23 Boys All-NWC Team

Welcome

by
a

Welcome to the Northwest Conference Website, where you will find official information for the Mid-Columbia Conference. If you have any questions please contact your school athletic office.

What is Sportsmanship?

by
Hand shake

All Together-- Putting the Spirit of Sportsmanship in Action

FUNDAMENTALS

Everyone needs to do their part

  • Show respect for the opponent at all times 
    1. The opponent should be treated as a guest. Good sportsmanship is the Golden Role in action.
  • Show respect for the officials
    1. The officials should be recognized as impartial arbitrators who are trained to do their job and who can be expected to do it to the best of their ability. Good Sportsmanship implies the willingness to accept and abide by the decisions of the officials.
  • Know, understand and appreciate the rules 
    1. Good sportsmanship suggests the importance of con forming to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.
  • Maintain self-control at all times
    1. A prerequisite of good sportsmanship requires one to understand his/her own bias or prejudice and to have the ability to recognize that rational behavior is more important than the desire to win. Good sportsmanship is concerned with the behavior of all involved in the game.
  • Recognize and appreciate skill in performance regardless of affiliation
    1. The ability to recognize quality in performance and the willingness to acknowledge it without regard to team membership is one of the most highly commendable gestures of good sportsmanship.

PLANNING

Be prepared

  • Inform student body of expected behavior at an athletic contest
  • Assign someone to be in charge.
  • Insure traffic flow prior to and following the event.
  • Designate an area for officials to dress which is away from the players.
  • Have seating for the visiting school clearly marked.  Supply ample space for spectators, band and rally squad.
  • Have a representative greet the opposing team and show them to their dressing room.
  • Inform coaches, players, students and rally squads that the visiting team and spectators are your guests and should be treated as such.
  • Communicate with opposing school prior to the event.
  • Establish duties and responsibilities for Parents’ Clubs and Booster Clubs.

PARENTS

Your example is being watched

The responsibility of PARENTS and other ADULTS before, during and after an athletic contest is to SET AN EXAMPLE OF MATURE BEHAVIOR. It is recommended that all adults:

  • Treat all people with RESPECT.
  • Give young people an example to follow.
  • Aid school officials or parent club if disturbances occur— YOU ARE A COMMUNITY LEADER
  • Support the coach, team and school in a positive manner.
  • Know and understand the rules of the game.
  • Respect the officials’ judgment and interpretation of the rules.
  • Abide by the school district policies which prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking at an athletic contest.
  • Respect the player’s efforts, win or lose.
  • Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, being never boastful or bitter.

Parent help is needed!

STUDENTS

Students—do your part!

Student habits and reactions determine the quality of sportsmanship which reflects upon the reputation of their school. Therefore, it is recommended that they

  • Know and demonstrate the fundamentals of sportsmanship.
  • Respect, cooperate and respond enthusiastically to cheerleaders.
  • Censure fellow students whose behavior is unbecoming and unsportsmanlike.
  • Respect the property of the school and the authority of school officials.
  • Show respect for an injured player when he is removed from the contest
  • Do not applaud errors by opponents or penalties inflicted upon then.
  • Do not heckle, jeer or distract members of the opposing team.
  • Never criticize the players or coaches for the loss of a game.
  • Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach.
  • Avoid profane language, suggestive gestures and obnoxious behavior.

To succeed—your help is needed!

 

RALLIES

The responsibility of the cheerleaders is to lead positive, well chosen, timely cheers which boost their own team without antagonizing their opponents.

  • Always set a good example for spectators to follow.
  • Greet the visiting rally squad and treat them as your guests.
  • Stimulate and control positive crowd response.
  • Choose the right cheers at the right time.
  • Be certain that words or gestures used in a cheer do not suggest or inflame the audience.
  • Avoid using bells, horns or noisemakers.
  • Divert the crowd’s attention by starting a popular yell when booing develops.
  • Remain silent when the other school does an organized cheer or free throw.
  • Signs may be displayed by the home school only. The signs should be of the “welcome” type and should not be antagonistic to the opponent.
  • Make sure your audience knows the yells you expect them to follow.
  • Do not choose yells which require foot stamping as this causes damage to the bleachers.

Show us how!

COACHES

You’re the leader

The coach bears the greatest burden of responsibility for sportsmanship. Your influence upon the attitudes and behavior of the players, the student body and the community are unequalled. In order for good sportsmanship to become a reality, it is essential that the coach subscribe to the values of sportsmanship and teach its principals through word and deed. Specifically, it is recommended that the coach:

  • Always set a good example for others to follow by exercising emotional control when under stress.
  • Instruct the players in their sportsmanship responsibilities.
  • Discipline those students who display unsportsmanlike behavior, if necessary; forfeit the privileges of representing the school.
  • Be a good host to opponents; treat them as guests.
  • Provide opportunities for social interaction among coaches and players of both teams before and after the contest.
  • Respect the officials’ judgment and interpretation of the rules.
  • Publicly shake hands with the officials and opposing coach before and after the contest.
  • Be sensitive to explosive situations; remove a player from a contest before serious difficulty arises.

How you play the game

PLAYERS

Play hard

The responsibility of the players for sportsmanship is second in importance only to the coach. Because players are admired and respected, they exert a great deal of influence over the actions and behavior of the spectators. Desirable behavior for the players would be to:

* Treat opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and fellow human beings.

* Shake hands with opponents and wish them good luck before the contest.

* Exercise self-control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them.

* Respect the officials’ judgment and interpretations of the rides. Never argue or make gestures indicating a dislike for a decision.

* Do not communicate with the officials regarding the clarification of a ruling. This is a function for the captain.

* Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, being never boastful or bitter.

* Congratulate the opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.

* Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing the school and community.

Demonstrate good sportsmanship!

ALL TOGETHER

The Sportsman’s Creed

The player:

  • Lives clean and plays hard. Plays for the love of the game.
  • Wins without boasting. Loses without excuses and never quits.
  • Respects officials and accepts their decisions without question.
  • Never forgets that he/she is a representative of the school.

The coach:

  • Inspires in players a love for the game and the desire to win.
  • Teaches them that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.
  • Leads players and spectators to respect officials by setting them a good example.

The official:

  • Knows the rules.
  • Is fair and firm in all decisions. Calls them as he/she sees them.
  • Treats players and coaches courteously and demands the same treatment for themselves.
  • Knows the game is for the players and lets them have the spotlight

The spectator

  • Never boos a player or official.
  • Appreciates a good play no matter who makes it.
  • Knows that the school gets the blame or the praise for your conduct.

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