YAKIMA – Seventy five and counting, the Lady Lions did it again, this time by defeating Prosser 59-49 in the 2A state championship game, making it just the second three-peat in Whatcom County girls basketball. The first were the Lynden Christian teams from 1990, 1991 and 1992.
It was all Lynden early on as the game started with a 12-0 run, which was highlighted by three-pointers from senior forwards Rian Stephan and Payton Mills. The Mustangs weren’t able to crack the scoreboard until over five minutes of gametime took place.
Prosser then went to a full court press, but the ball-handling, height and passing ability of the Lions beat the press numerous times and Lynden led 19-3 after the first quarter.
“We jumped on them early,” Lynden Coach Rob Adams said. “But, I knew that wasn’t going to be the end story.”
The deep shooting ability of the Mustangs got them back into the game in the second quarter, but it was quickly countered with another Mills three-ball, as well a quick five-point spurt from senior guard Reese Nyhoff.
At the half, the Lions led 34-19, shot 66.7% from the field, and junior guard Finley Parcher led Lynden with 14 points.
The Mustangs were able to hit on more three-point shots in the third quarter, and made it an eight-point game late in the third after a made three.
In fact, Prosser outscored Lynden in the second and third quarters, but the Lions still led going into the fourth, thanks to an outstanding opening eight minutes of domination.
Mills hit her third three-pointer of the game early in the fourth quarter, and that was followed by a deep ball from junior guard Lexi Hermanutz which gave Lynden a 46-34 lead with a little more than six minutes left.
The Mustangs wouldn’t go away easily, and they proceeded to go an 11-2 run over the next two and a half minutes. Just like that, the Lions were in an unfamiliar position, up by just three points with a little over three minutes to go.
A pair of Parcher foul shots and a strong finish down low by Mills extended Lynden’s lead back to seven points with 1:37 left.
Lynden continued to control the contest throughout by playing its custom stifling defense, as well as hitting its free throws down the stretch.
It was joyous tears all around once the final buzzer went off as Lynden continued to leave a legacy.
Hermanutz led her team in numerous categories as she finished with 17 points, nine points, five assists and five blocked shots.
Parcher had 17 points, 10 rebounds and she was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2A girls tournament for the second year in a row.
Mills added 11 points, 10 boards and was named to the All-Tournament 2nd Team.
Lynden finished the season with a perfect record of 27-0.
Lynden 59, Prosser 49 PRO 3 16 13 17 - 49 LYN 19 15 6 19 - 59
Prosser: N/A. Lynden: Bowler 2, Hermanutz 17, Nyhoff 5, Newcomb 2, Slayton 0, R. Stephan 5, I. Stephan 0, Parcher 17, Mills 11.
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