The Lynden and Lynden Christian girls basketball teams each won state championships Saturday in the Yakima SunDome.
The Lynden girls beat West Valley of Spokane 60-38. Keylie Hershey had a game-high 22 points for the Lions. Liv Tjoelker had 15. Ruby VanderHaak added 12. VanderHaak was named state tournament Most Valuable Player.
The Lynden Christian girls beat previously undefeated Cashmere 58-55. The Lyncs got 12 points from Libby Stump and 10 each from Riley Dykstra and Emily Mellema. Cashmere All-American Hailey Van Lith, considered one of the best players in the country, led all scorers with 27 points. Van Lith lost her third career state championship game to a Whatcom County opponent (LC twice, Mt. Baker once).
The Lynden Christian boys lost a state championship heartbreaker to King’s in overtime 70-67. Jaden DeBoer had a game-high 28 in the loss for the Lyncs. King’s 6-7 sophomore Tyler Linhardt had 25 and 16 rebounds for the Knights.
And the Lynden boys will bring home the 3rd place trophy in Class 2A as they beat Lindbergh 72-58. Lions 6-11 center Liam Hanenburg had 25 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Lynden senior Brock Heppner had 13 points and 12 rebounds in his final game for the Lions.
