CONNOR’S PICKS
Boys basketball: Anacortes at Lynden
7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, Lynden High School
Wednesday’s game got even more interesting after Anacortes’ decisive win over previously unbeaten Lynden Christian last Saturday.
Lynden (12-3, 9-0 Northwest Conference) is the last team in the NWC with an undefeated record in league games, and it is set to face Anacortes (12-3, 8-2 NWC), which has won four straight games.
When these teams met last season, both were undefeated in league. Lynden won, 78-73, before going on to win its second straight 2A state championship as the state’s No. 6 seed. Anacortes entered the state tournament as the No. 2 seed, but lost its opening round game and was eliminated.
Each team has a headliner in this one: Lynden senior guard Anthony Canales versus Anacortes junior guard Davis Fogle.
Canales is a two-time 2A state tournament MVP, and he is now leading the back-to-back state champion Lions in his final season with Lynden. When big games arrive, so does Canales.
Fogle is a pure basketball player who is fresh off a 43-point performance against LC. He is arguably the best player in the conference. Even if you try to double- or triple-team him, he can still put the ball in the basket.
Lynden’s biggest advantage is the supporting cast around Canales. Senior forward Brant Heppner is also among the top players in the NWC, providing a presence in the post for the Lions.
The winner of this one will have an upper hand heading into districts.
WWU: Women’s basketball vs. Montana State Billings
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Carver Gym
There’s some heated history between these teams after the past two seasons.
Two years ago, Western Washington University women’s basketball beat Montana State Billings by six points in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference semifinals on its way to the Vikings’ first-ever national championship game appearance.
Last season, MSUB beat Western twice in the regular season, including a 66-64 overtime win over the Vikings late in the year. Western bounced back and beat the Yellowjackets, 76-71, just a few weeks later in the GNAC final, ending MSUB’s season.
Now, Western (12-3, 4-1 GNAC) and MSUB (15-3, 6-0 GNAC) are on a collision course once again as the league’s top two teams.
The matchup to watch: Western senior post Brooke Walling versus MSUB senior post Kola Bad Bear. Walling is averaging 17.1 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.6 blocks per game for the Vikings. Bad Bear is contributing 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Yellowjackets.
Western last beat MSUB at Carver Gym on Dec. 7, 2019. It’s as close to a must-win game as the Vikings will have until mid-February.
Recreation: Ski Dattle
11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Salmon Ridge SnoPark parking lot, off Mt. Baker Highway state Route 542
If you’re looking to get out on the powder, want to learn a new sport and don’t want to break the bank, the Ski Dattle cross-country skiing event is a great option.
The City of Bellingham and Nooksack Nordic Ski Club created the event for those who want to try cross-country skiing with a bit of direction. Participants will trek along a 1.4-mile loop within the Salmon Ridge SnoPark in two hours.
You must bring your own cross-country skis, boots, and poles and purchase a $25 Daily Sno-Park Permit.
The event allows ages 9 and up, and pre-registration is required online. Another session will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Updates on conditions at the Salmon Ridge SnoPark are frequently posted on the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club’s website.
FULL CALENDAR
Friday, Jan. 19
Boys basketball
Mount Vernon at Lynden, 7:15 p.m.
Blaine at Burlington-Edison, 7:15 p.m.
Ferndale at Anacortes, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Lynden at Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.
Anacortes at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
Girls wrestling
Blaine at Lady Huskie Invite, 4 p.m., Othello High School
Boys swim
Bellingham, Sehome, Squalicum at NWC Invitational Dive, 2:55 p.m., Fidalgo Pool
Girls bowling
Nooksack at Ferndale, 3:15 p.m., Mt. Baker Lanes
Blaine at Meridian, 3:15 p.m., Mt. Baker Lanes
Saturday, Jan. 20
Boys basketball
Bellingham at Squalicum, 7:15 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Meridian, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Meridian at Sedro-Woolley, 1 p.m.
Squalicum at Bellingham, 5 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Blaine at Quincy Mat Animal Boys Wrestling Tournament, 9 a.m., Quincy High School
Girls wrestling
Bellingham, Mount Baker at Mountlake Terrace Tourney, 9 a.m., Mountlake Terrace High School
Blaine at Lady Huskie Invite, 10 a.m., Othello High School
Boys swim
Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Sehome, Squalicum at NWC Swim/Dive Invitational, 9 a.m., Fidalgo Pool
WWU
Women’s basketball at Western Oregon, 2 p.m., New PE building
Men’s basketball vs. Alaska Fairbanks, 7 p.m., Carver Gym
WCC
Women’s basketball at Bellevue College, 2 p.m.
Men’s basketball at Bellevue College, 4 p.m.
Recreation
Freestyle Figure Skating, 7 a.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Saturday Morning Lily Lake (hike), 8:30 a.m, Samish Overlook Day Use Area
Winter Community Work Party, 10 a.m., East Meadow Park
Sunday, Jan. 21
NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs at Seattle Kraken, 6 p.m.
Recreation
Drop-in Hockey, 6:45 a.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Walking soccer, 6 p.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Monday, Jan. 22
Boys basketball
Sehome at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Mount Vernon at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Nooksack Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Blaine at Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Burlington-Edison, 7:15 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Anacortes, 7:15 p.m.
Ferndale at Sehome, 7:15 p.m.
Recreation
Kids Ski & Ride Mt. Baker, 6:45 a.m., Bloedel Donovan Park
Gangball, 4 p.m., Bloedel Donovan Community Building
Pound.Rockout.Workout!, 5:30 p.m., Maritime Heritage Park Pavilion
Open Track Night, 5:30 p.m., Civic Stadium
Men’s O40 Drop-in Soccer, 8:30 p.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Boys basketball
Mount Baker at Sedro-Woolley, 7:15 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Lakewood, 7:15 p.m.
Squalicum at Oak Harbor, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Sedro-Woolley at Mount Baker, 7:15 p.m.
Oak Harbor at Squalicum., 7:15 p.m.
Lakewood at Lynden Christian, 7:15 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Lynden at Meridian, 6 p.m.
Girls wrestling
Squalicum at Meridian, 6 p.m.
Boys swim
Mount Vernon at Sehome, 3:30 p.m., Arne Hanna Aquatic Center
Bellingham at Oak Harbor, 4 p.m., Vanderzicht Memorial
Girls bowling
Blaine, Meridian, Nooksack Valley at District 1 2A/1A Tournament, 12 p.m., Riverside Lanes
Recreation
Adult Skate, 8:30 a.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Boys basketball
Anacortes at Lynden, 7:15 p.m.
Meridian at Bellingham, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Lynden at Anacortes, 7:15 p.m.
Bellingham at Meridian, 7:15 p.m.
Boys wrestling
Lynden at Sedro-Woolley, 6 p.m.
WCC
Women’s basketball vs. Edmonds, 5 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Men’s basketball vs. Edmonds, 7 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks at Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Recreation
Public Skate, 8:30 a.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Thursday, Jan. 25
Boys basketball
Nooksack Valley at Mount Vernon, 7:15 p.m.
Lakewood at Squalicum, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Squalicum at Lakewood, 7:15 p.m.
Mount Vernon at Nooksack Valley, 7:15 p.m.
Boys swim
Sehome at Anacortes, 2:55 p.m., Fidalgo Pool
Ferndale at Lynden, 3:30 p.m., Forge Pool
Oak Harbor at Squalicum, 3:30 p.m., Arne Hanna Aquatic Center
WWU
Men’s basketball at Central Washington, 7 p.m., Nicholson Pavilion
Women’s basketball vs. Seattle Pacific, 7 p.m., Carver Gymnasium
Recreation
Adult Skate, 8:30 a.m., Bellingham Sportsplex
Friday, Jan. 26
Boys basketball
Bellingham at Mount Baker, 7:15 p.m.
Oak Harbor at Meridian, 7:15 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at King’s, 7:15 p.m.
Girls basketball
Mount Baker at Bellingham, 7:15 p.m.
Meridian at Oak Harbor, 7:15 p.m.
NHL
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken, 7 p.m.
Recreation
FriYay Night Bags, 6 p.m., Volli Bellingham
Saturday, Jan. 27
Boys basketball
Ferndale at Lynden Christian, 2:30 p.m.
Blaine at Anacortes, 5 p.m.
Lynden at Sehome, 6 p.m.
Girls basketball
Lynden at Sehome, 4:30 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Ferndale, 7:15 p.m.
Anacortes at Blaine, 7:15 p.m.
Girls wrestling
Bellingham, Blaine, Squalicum at Lady Knights Invite, 9 a.m., Kamiak High School, Mukilteo
WWU
Men’s basketball at Northwest Nazarene, 12:30 p.m., Johnson Sports Center
Women’s basketball vs. MSU Billings, 7 p.m., Carver Gymnasium
WCC
Women’s basketball vs. Skagit Valley, 2 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Men’s basketball vs. Skagit Valley, 4 p.m., Whatcom Pavilion
Recreation
SST Trail Day, 9 a.m., Lake Padden
Ski Dattle, 11 a.m., Salmon Ridge SnoPark parking lot
Sunday, Jan. 28
NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets at Seattle Kraken, 6 p.m.
Recreation
Jayme Biendl Memorial 5K Walk/Run, 10 a.m., Skykomish River Centennial Park
Sunday Funday Cornhole Tournament, 11 a.m., Volli Bellingham
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.
