By Morris Malakoff
Herald Writer
MOUNT VERNON – Saturday was just not a good day for the Lakewood Cougars boys basketball team.
The pre-game ceremonies came to a sputtering halt when the public address announcer forgot that the Lakewood nickname is the Cougars. After the game, their locker room was without hot water. In between, the Cougars lost a winner-to-state, semifinal game in the 2A Northwest District tournament 59-48 to Lynden Christian at Mount Vernon H.S.
The Cougars face South Whidbey in a loser-out contest on Wednesday with the survivor advancing to a winner-to-state, loser-out game Saturday.
This was a game played from the perimeter. With Lakewood center Jake Poeschel and his Lynden Christian opposite Daren Heerspink each standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing a combined 500 pounds, there wasn’t much room to maneuver in the middle. A total of 11 3-point baskets, seven by Lynden Christian, punctuated the game. Lakewood’s Ray Rocha was a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance.
Lakewood was handicapped early when Poeschel picked up two quick fouls. With the big man on the bench, Thorvilson knew there were mismatches across the court.
“We play with a lot of smaller guys,” said Thorvilson. “These guys bang on you. We had players 5-10 guarding guys that are 6-2.”
> Give us your news tips. > Send us a letter to the editor. > More Herald contact information.
Lakewood-Landman 20, Rocha 11, Poeschel 7, Olson 7, Barker 2, Star 1. Lynden Christian-Hafford 16, Hoekema 14, Heerspink 11, Kooy 11, Bogaard 4, Holleman 3. 3-point goals-Star 1, Rocha 3, Olson 1, Holleman 1, Kooy 3, Hafford 3. Records-Lakewood 12-9 overall. Lynden Christian 18-3.
Talk to us
