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Coppinger, Hommes named Northwest Conference MVPs

All-conference teams announced

By Hailey Palmer Staff Reporter

Nooksack Valley sophomore Devin Coppinger and Lynden Christian senior Andrew Hommes lit up the court all season. Now, they’ve got the recognition to prove it.

Coppinger and Hommes were named MVPs of the Northwest Conference for the 2021-22 basketball season. The Nooksack Valley girls finished second in state and the Lynden Christian boys claimed the 1A state title.

Both were pillars for their teams this season, often drawing the opposing team’s best defender.

Coppinger averaged 20.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3 steals a game as a sophomore. She shot 55% from 2-point range, 29% from deep and 78% from the line.

Hommes averaged 18.2 points per game, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his last season for the Lyncs. He also had three consecutive double-doubles in the state tournament, where he was named the most valuable player.

After last year’s MVP honors went to Lynden’s Jordan Medcalf, Hommes said one of his goals was to earn the next one.

“I love seeing [Medcalf] succeed and love playing with him, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to have,” Hommes said. “It’s nice in my senior year being able to get it, but it all goes out to my team. I love this team and they’re the only reason I have it.”

Lynden Christian head coach Tim Zylstra put it simply. There’s no state championship without Hommes on the team.

For more than 20 games, Hommes was guarded by the other team’s best player and did what had to be done to win games, Zylstra said.


Lynden Christian's Andrew Hommes scores a basket while under pressure from defenders.
Lynden Christian’s Andrew Hommes scores a basket in a postseason game against Blaine. Lynden Christian beat Blaine 86-57. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

“[Hommes] helped us win a lot of games, but there were nights he shared the ball just as well,” Zylstra said. “He was able to put up some great numbers because his teammates shared with him, but him sharing the ball and willing to be part of a team really helped us to win the state championship.”

The 6-foot-6 Hommes said playing in a division as talented as the Northwest Conference makes the honor that much better.

“I’ve always had winning it as a goal, but once COVID hit I came to the realization that it maybe won’t happen,” Hommes said. “I don’t take any of this for granted. I’ve grown up playing with this team and it’s a dream come true.”

Hommes has one high school game left as he was selected for the all-state game that is scheduled for Saturday at Curtis High School in University Place.

Coppinger is in an entirely different place from Hommes.

She has two seasons in front of her and has shown she’ll be a headache for opposing teams until 2024.

Coppinger said she was grateful to earn MVP honors but, like Hommes, credited teammates.

Nooksack Valley’s Devin Coppinger scores an easy basket as defenders watch from behind her.
Nooksack Valley’s Devin Coppinger scores an easy basket as Nooksack Valley downed Wapato 50-37 in a quarterfinal match of the 1A girls basketball championships at the Yakima Valley SunDome on March 3. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

“They helped me elevate my game and do what I needed to do,” she said. “It’s just awesome to be noticed for that.”

Nooksack Valley head coach Shane Wichers said it’s rare for a player to impact the game in every facet the way Coppinger can.

“She can do so many different things and that’s not normal,” Wichers said. “Usually you get players who can really have an impact in one or two areas. That’s what makes her special. She can do whatever she needs to do in that moment.”

Conference MVP is nice but the 5-10 Coppinger is after more. 

A return to the state tournament, and championship game, is already on the mind for not only Coppinger, but the rest of the Pioneers.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to where we were this year, and hopefully, getting a different result,” Coppinger said. “I’m excited to see us improve and we’re just honestly ready to be back at it.”

Coppinger’s offseason isn’t much of an offseason. Her Amateur Athletic Union season with Tree of Hope on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League circuit begins March 26.

She’ll compete with Tree of Hope throughout the summer before the countdown to the high school season will start up again.

The rest of the all-Northwest Conference teams are below.

Boys

First team:

Jordan Medcalf, Lynden

Grant Kepley, Sehome

Justice Taylor, Lakewood

Anthony Canales, Lynden

Jazen Guillory, Ferndale

Tyler Sipma, Lynden Christian

Second team:

Scott Baldwin, Blaine

Connor Anderson, Burlington-Edison

Mathew Storms, Sehome

Blake Conyers, Lakewood

Quinn Swanson, Mount Vernon

Lucas Rodio, Mount Vernon

Jesse Sapp, Ferndale

Reed Richardson, Squalicum

Head coach of the year: Brett Farrar, Blaine

Assistant coach of the year: Jesse Farrar, Blaine

Girls

First team:

Camryn Kerr, Anacortes

Amey Rainaud, Burlington-Edison

Haylee Koetje, Lynden

Demi Dykstra, Lynden Christian

Libby Stump, Lynden Christian

Skyleigh James, Meridian

Hallie Kamphouse, Nooksack Valley

Second team:

Mazy Wright, Bellingham

Hailey Pike, Blaine

Sydney Reisner, Burlington-Edison

Adia Newcomb, Lynden

Ellie DeWaard, Meridian

Madison Barter, Mount Baker

Maddie Schumacher, Sehome

Mari Binning, Squalicum

Head coach of the year: Shane Wichers, Nooksack Valley

Assistant coach of the year: Kim Kirk, Sehome

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