CONNOR’S PICKS
Girls basketball: Lynden at Nooksack Valley
7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, Nooksack Valley High School
If we were having an early season discussion about which local teams are guaranteed to be playing in March, these two would be near, or at, the top of the list.
Both teams reached state tournaments a season ago, and each is still undefeated after the season’s first full week. Nooksack Valley (4-0, 2-0 Northwest Conference) is the reigning 1A state champion, while Lynden (5-0, 2-0 NWC) has looked even stronger than last season when the Lions were eliminated in the first round of the 2A state tournament.
Lynden only got stronger after that disappointing finish a season ago. Rob Adams, who previously led the program to three 2A state championships before resigning in 2020, has Lynden rolling early. Adams returned for the 2023–24 season.
NV is picking up right where it left off a season ago, outscoring opponents 284-184 through four games. Out of the past four seasons, this may be the best game between these two teams we will see.
Boys basketball: Blaine at Lynden Christian
7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, Lynden Christian High School
Maybe this is hanging too much on the success of both programs a season ago, but that’s what makes it an interesting contest.
Blaine had its best run since 2000 last season (third in Class 1A), harkening back to the years Luke Ridnour, a future NBA player, led the team to its only state title in school history. The team lost a ton of senior talent, which has it sitting at 2-2 (1-1 NWC) in the early season.
Lynden Christian, on the other hand, has rolled over its title-winning energy to a 4-0 start (2-0 NWC). The Lyncs won their second straight 1A state championship last season, and they aren’t slowing down.
So, how will each team fare this year? This was a coveted matchup last season, and an early season matchup will be telling in regards to their future success.
Recreation: Open Roller Skate (Winter Onesie Skate)
6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, Depot Market Square
This is not the only open roller skate of the season, but it is the only one that is encouraging you to wear a winter onesie while rollerskating.
Still not convinced? It’s free, and it’s hosted right in the heart of downtown Bellingham. Come for the skate, stay for the other entertainment that surrounds Depot Market Square.
You will have to bring your own skates and other protective gear, so maybe add that to your list of early Christmas presents if you are currently skate-less. Either way, this will be a sight to behold and an activity worth joining.
FULL CALENDAR
Friday, Dec. 15
Boys basketball
Meridian at Lynden, 7:15 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Bellingham, 7:15 p.m.
Glacier Peak at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Squalicum at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Seattle Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Bellingham at Lynden Christian, 7:15 p.m.
Lynden at Meridian, 7:15 p.m.
WCC
Women’s basketball at Lane, 2 p.m., Lane Community College
Men’s basketball vs. Southwestern Oregon, 7 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Saturday, Dec. 16
Boys basketball
Lynden Christian vs. Kentridge, 4:30 p.m., Tahoma High School
Lynden at Mountlake Terrace, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Lakewood, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Lynden Christian at Tahoma, 6 p.m.
Ferndale at Mount Baker, 7:15 p.m.
Lakewood at Nooksack Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley at Cashmere, 10 a.m.
Girls wrestling
Blaine, Mount Baker at Santa Slam, 9 a.m., Juanita High School
WWU
Women’s basketball at Cal State East Bay, 1 p.m., Hayward, California
WCC
Women’s basketball vs. Linn Benton, 2 p.m., Lane Community College
Men’s basketball vs. Big Bend, 4 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
NHL
Sacramento Kings at Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Recreation
Wilderness First Responder Course, 8:30 a.m., Larrabee State Park
Oriental Express Trail Day, 9 a.m., Lake Padden
Community Hike: Happy Holly-Days, 10 a.m., A Avenue, Anacortes
Sunday, Dec. 17
WWU
Men’s basketball vs. George Fox, 3 p.m., Carver Gym
WCC
Men’s basketball vs. Grays Harbor, 12 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Recreation
Santa 5K at Cordata, 11 a.m. Cordata Community Park
Monday, Dec. 18
Boys basketball
Squalicum at Burlington-Edison, 7:15 p.m.
Oak Harbor at Mount Baker, 7:15 p.mno.
Bellingham at Sehome, 7:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
Bellingham at Sehome, 6 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Squalicum, 7:15 p.m.
WWU
Women’s basketball at Cal State Bernardino, 1 p.m., San Bernardino, California
NFL
Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks 5:15 p.m., ABC and ESPN
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars, 5 p.m.
Recreation
Spin Dances, 6 p.m., Bloedel Donovan Community Building
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Boys basketball
Lynden at Nooksack Valley, 5:30 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Ferndale at Sedro-Woolley, 7:15 p.m.
La Conner at Squalicum, 7:15 p.m.
Lynden at Nooksack Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Recreation
December Senior Stroll, 9 a.m., Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Boys basketball
Ferndale at North Creek, 6 p.m.
Bellingham at Meadowdale, 6 p.m.
Blaine at Lynden Christian, 7:15 p.m.
Mount Baker at Granite Falls, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Mount Baker at Granite Falls, 5:40 p.m.
Lake Stevens at Sehome, 6 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Boys basketball
Sedro-Woolley at Sehome, 6 p.m.
Girls basketball
Stanwood at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Bellingham, Ferndale at Pac Coast Wrestling Championship, 10 a.m., Clark County Events Center
Girls wrestling
Squalicum at Sedro-Woolley, 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 22
Boys basketball
Ferndale at Bellingham, 6 p.m.
Meridian at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Lynden at Sedro-Woolley, 7:15 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
Squalicum at Archbishop Murphy, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Meridian at Mount Baker, 5 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Lynden, 7:15 p.m.
Bellingham at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Blaine at Nooksack Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Bellingham, Ferndale at Pac Coast Wrestling Championship, 10 a.m., Clark County Events Center
Recreation
FriYay Night Bags, 6 p.m., Volli Bellingham
Open Roller Skate (Winter Onesie Skate), 6 p.m., Depot Market Square
Saturday, Dec. 23
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Anaheim Ducks, 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24
NFL
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 10 a.m., CBS
CDN’s sports calendar is published online Thursdays and in print Fridays. To submit an event for consideration, email connorbenintendi@cascadiadaily.com. News Producer Eric Trent compiled the featured listings.
