Clay Hammontree splits two Lynden defenders as he drives to the hoop. Photo by Shaun McWhinney The boys’ basketball team took on the Lynden Lions at the CHS home court in front of a standing room only crowd on Friday, February 26th. The game was the first round of the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament. The larger than life Lions who took 4th in State last year were too much for the Red Wolves and won by a score of 61-40.

The first quarter was a battle to the boards as both team traded leads back and forth till the buzzer with Lynden up by two; however the Red Wolves went cold in the second quarter only scoring eight points to the Lions 17 and were down 30-23 at half. The third quarter was once again a battle with the Red Wolves tying the game and outscoring the Lions 13-12. However, the Lions took off in the fourth quarter scoring 19 points to the Red Wolves four to end the game with the win. The Lions had many tough big players (three scored in double digits) that rotated in and wore the Red Wolves down. They also stuck to our 3-point players like glue and did not allow many shots from beyond the arc.

Many fans were excited to see U of W football player Jake Locker in the crowd as he was there to watch his cousin Colton Rekers play for the Red Wolves. Locker also did the honors of drawing the 50/50 winner at half time.

Joe Corpus led the way for the Red Wolves scoring 14 points, followed by Rekers and Daniel Campbell with seven. Rekers and Campbell both dropped in one from beyond the 3-point arc. Rekers also led the Red Wolves in rebounds pulling down six. Zach Taylor was held to five points, however led the team in assists with nine. Tanner Marty had some key blocks for the Red Wolves.

The Red Wolves move into the consolation bracket and need to win the next two games in order to advance to the State Tournament play in Yakima.