NWC Game Reports (12/07-12/17)

I had the privilege to attend multiple games within the Northwest Conference to see how the teams are looking early in the season. Here are some game reports from some of the games.   12/07 - Lake Stevens @ Lynden Christian - Final Score: 66-46 Lynden Christian   -LC got off to a fast start and didn't look back against 4A Lake Stevens. [player_tooltip player_id='1587970' first='Gannon' last='Dykstra'] was key the entire game, running the point smoothly by making excellent passes coming off screens and creating his own shots from the midrange level, Gannon finished with 24 points. Gunnar Dykstra stepped up for the Lyncs with [player_tooltip player_id='2392727' first='Dawson' last='Hintz'] out still while recovering from a football injury. Gunnar dropped 4 threes, being able to move to the open spots in the defense. Sophomore big [player_tooltip player_id='2457277' first='Kaden' last='Veldman'] almost had another double-souble, finishing with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2021655' first='Boyce' last='Robertson'] stepped up big on the defensive end for the Lyncs, making some huge stops and having some key steals in big momentum shifting moments. Overall, the Lyncs played excellent team defense the entire game and didn't look back after gaining a lead in the first quarter.   Standout Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1587970' first='Gannon' last='Dykstra'], [player_tooltip player_id='2457277' first='Kaden' last='Veldman']   12/07 - Marysville-Getchell @ Squalicum - Final Score: 59-56 OT Marysville-Getchell   -Squalicum got off to a great start at the beginning of the game with [player_tooltip player_id='2817011' first='Marcus' last='Nixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway'], & [player_tooltip player_id='2835618' first='Blake' last='Elston'] hitting some shots early. Nixon was excellent all game long, being able to attack downhill and absorb contact down low to get the finish at the rim. He finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway'] shot the ball very well, hitting 3/4 three point attempts while finishing with 17 points and dishing out 6 assists. Laki Fagaautua was big off the bench for the Storm too, bringing a big spark to the lineup. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1444804' first='Arion' last='Palacol'] took over in the 2nd half. Bubba went takeover mode on the Storms defense as they tried to throw multiple defenders his way but nothing worked. Palacol ended with 41 of the Getchell's 59 points while knocking down 5 threes in the game. He would end up hitting both free throws with under 4 seconds left to secure the win for his team.   Standout Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1444804' first='Arion' last='Palacol'], [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway']   12/09 - Burlington-Edison @ Squalicum - Final Score: 66-60 2 OT Burlington-Edison   -Squalicum did a great job at controlling the pace of the game in the first half, staying ahead of the Tigers by a steady 8-12 points. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2835618' first='Blake' last='Elston'] was fantastic early in this game as he played excellent defense on Burlington's guards while hitting some 3's on the offensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='2817011' first='Marcus' last='Nixon'] made big time plays throughout the game, finding his teammates often and getting to the rim effectively by using his speed and athleticism to his advantage. Burlington-Edison wing [player_tooltip player_id='2205052' first='Logan' last='Heigert'] wasn't ready to lose this game on the road though. Heigert and the Tigers utilized their height to their advantage in the 2nd half, causing mismatches for the Storm who are a bit undersized compared. The Tigers hit big shots late in the game and really stepped things up on the defensive side of the ball, creating many turnovers and easy buckets for the team. They fought their way back into it late in the game and lead late in the 4th. The Storm kept fighting with Calloway knocking down a game tying 3 with under 20 seconds left in the game. After the Tigers failed to get a bucket, the Storm turned back to Calloway to knock down the game winner. He would miss his attempt but Laki Fagaautua got the offensive board and went up with under 1 second left but the refs called a foul with 0.4 left on the clock. With the game tied at 48, Fagaautua stepped up to the line for 2 attempts after the foul was called on the shot. He would proceed to have both bounce off the rim and the game was headed to OT. With both teams exchanging buckets in OT, we ended up being tied once again. During the 2nd OT, the Tigers were ready to wrap things up and go home with the win. Burlington stepped up the intensity on the defensive end and it was too much for the Storm to handle as the Tigers ended up winning 66-60 in 2 OT.   Standout Players: [player_tooltip player_id='2205052' first='Logan' last='Heigert'], Tim Feskov, [player_tooltip player_id='2817011' first='Marcus' last='Nixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2835618' first='Blake' last='Elston']   12/12 - Squalicum @ Lynden - Final Score: 52-34 Lynden   -Lynden got off to a quick start in this one but the Storm were able to stay close throughout the first half. The Lions used their length and size to out-rebound the Storm by almost 20. [player_tooltip player_id='2817005' first='Jack' last='Stapleton'] was huge for the Lions, grabbing many loose balls and offensively boards. Lynden kicked in on during the 3rd quarter, overwhelming the Storm with their length and hustle. The Lions continued to hit shots with [player_tooltip player_id='2835606' first='Gordy' last='Bedlington'] facilitating the offense smoothly for the past 3 time 2A champion Lions. [player_tooltip player_id='2835618' first='Blake' last='Elston'] & [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway'] did their best to get the Storm back to the game, making it almost a 10 point game in the 4th before the Lions put the foot back on the gas to gain a bigger win.   Standout Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1696692' first='Brant' last='Heppner'], [player_tooltip player_id='2817005' first='Jack' last='Stapleton']   12/17 - Meridian @ Squalicum - Final Score: 56-45 Meridian   -Squalicum got off to an amazing start here, setting the tone in the first half by defending at a high level and forcing the Trojans to take bad shots. [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway'] played with confidence, shooting the ball very well and getting his teammates open shots. The Storm were up 10/12 points at halftime. When the 2nd half started, Meridian turned their defense up a notch. They swarmed the Storms ball carrier every possession, forcing many turnovers that led to easy buckets. [player_tooltip player_id='1984464' first='Talon' last='Jenkins'] stepped up in the 4th to help his team get the comeback victory by hitting some huge late game 3's.   Standout Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1984464' first='Talon' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='2182748' first='Hunter' last='Calloway']

I had the privilege to attend multiple games within the Northwest Conference to see how the teams are looking early in the season. Here are some game reports from some of the games.