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ALL-WHATCOM COUNTY GIRLS' BASKETBALL: [The Bellingham Herald, Wash.](Bellingham Herald (WA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Apr. 11--PLAYER OF THE YEAR KENZIE DE BOER School: Lynden Christian Position: Forward Year: Senior What she did: The four-year starter helped lead the Lyncs to four consecutive state tournament appearances, placing first, second, third and fourth during the run ... De Boer was second in the Northwest Conference in scoring with 17.7 points per game and was named the NWC's Most Valuable Player ... The Lyncs' all-time leading scorer will continue her career at the University of Montana. Coach's quote: "She's 5-11 and has great quickness to go along with that. She has a nice 3-point shot, she can beat you off the dribble and she has one of the strongest pull-up jump shots that we've had. Those three strong weapons make her an all-around player." -- Curt DeHaan COACH OF THE YEAR ROB ADAMS School: Lynden What he did: In his second year as coach at Lynden, Adams directed the Lions to the Northwest Conference crown and the program's first Class 2A State championship, beating previously unbeaten Archbishop Murphy 48-41 in the state final ... Lynden finished 23-4 a year after finishing 16-11 ... The Lions also finished second in the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament ... Selected the NWC Coach of the Year. Coach's quote: "He cares about the game. He's studious and he takes the time to make girls' basketball better. I think all of us appreciate what he does for that. Obviously you want to beat the other coach, but what Rob leaves in the bigger picture is promoting girls' basketball." -- Squalicum coach Scott Wilson ASHLEY HONEYCUTT School: Ferndale Position: Post Year: Senior What she did: After leading the Golden Eagles to the Class 3A State Tournament for the first time in 20 years as a junior, Honeycutt led the team back her senior year ... The two-time Northwest Conference first teamer led the NWC in scoring with 19.0 points per game ... Also averaged 12.4 rebounds per game ... Became Ferndale's all-time leading scorer with 1,367 points and single season leading scorer with 510 points ... Looking to continue playing basketball at schools in Washington and Oregon. Coach's quote: "She refused to let other girls out-work her. I would challenge her often to be the best on the floor, and she often lived up to that. She put a lot of time in it out of season, and that's what it takes to be a great player and have a really strong program." -Pat Foley BRANDI BENNER School: Lynden Position: Guard Year: Senior What she did: The all-Northwest Conference first-team selection helped lead the Lions to the program's first Class 2A state championship ... Finished seventh in the conference in scoring with 13.3 points, 3.7 assists and just under three steals per game ... Scored a team-high 19 points in the state title game and was named the state tourney MVP ... Selected to the All-State Tournament first team ... Will continue basketball career at Skagit Valley Community College. Coach's quote: "She's always been able to score and always been able to take care of the basketball. Several times she passed up some of her scoring opportunities to make us a better basketball team. Her unselfishness and her commitment to being a good teammate made the difference for us down the stretch." -- Rob Adams ERIKA RAMSTEAD School: Nooksack Valley Position: Forward Year: Senior What she did: The senior was sixth in the Northwest Conference in scoring with 13.4 points per game ... Averaged 10.2 rebounds per game ... Led the Pioneers in scoring, rebounding and assists ... Finished with 1,365 points in her prep career and earned NWC first-team honors for the second year in a row ... Led Nooksack Valley to a 16-8 record and one game shy of making a Class 1A State Tournament appearance ... Has a plan to continue career at next level but has not made a commitment. Coach's quote: "She played wherever we needed her this year. She could play all five positions. She did what we needed to do whether it was inside or outside...She's never satisfied with where she's at. She's always trying to improve and get better." -- Shane Wichers DEVIN PEARSALL School: Bellingham Position: Guard Year: Junior What she did: Helped lead the Red Raiders to the Class 2A State Tournament for the first time since 2005 ... Was fourth in the Northwest Conference in scoring with 16.5 points per game ... The NWC second-team selection led Bellingham offensively, averaging 20.3 points per game at state. Coach's quote: "Devin was the spark. She had a ton of energy, and she worked really hard on offense and defense. As good as her offense was, her defense was even better. She's a smart player. She's such a hard worker and she's such a competitor." -- Randy Kaui JILL TORONCHUK School: Lynden Position: Forward Year: Senior What she did: Helped lead the Lions to the Northwest Conference title and the Class 2A State Championship ... Averaged 9.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals per game ... A NWC first-team selection ... Selected to the 2A state tourney team ... Averaged 6.3 points per game at state ... Considering college offers for both volleyball and basketball. Coach's quote: "She played a dynamic role for us this year. She was asked to do a little bit of everything. We asked her to switch from guard to 'small post.' Jill's leadership is always what you could hang your hat on. She's a constant team player." -- Adams NICOLA FOLLIS School: Squalicum Position: Post Year: Senior What she did: The Northwest Conference first team selection averaged 10.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Follis had 12 double-doubles in 24 games and finished with 272 rebounds for a school season record ... Owns the single game rebound record (22) vs. Semiahmoo Secondary on Dec. 3 ... Scored 12 points and had seven rebounds in the All-State game...Headed to the University of Washington...Won't play basketball, but is considering crew. Coach's quote: "Her biggest attribute is her work ethic. I don't think I've ever had an athlete that has worked as hard as Nicola. Her work ethic is tremendous." -- Scott Wilson TAYLOR ULRICH School: Squalicum Position: Guard Year: Junior What she did: The junior co-captain led the Storm with 12.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game ... Tied the school record for 3-pointers in a game (5) vs. Sultan on Dec. 9 ... A Northwest Conference first-team selection ... Will lead a core of returners next season. Coach's quote: "She's a great athlete and great leader. We look to her when we need to score or get something done. When she was sick (strep throat) she still showed up and sat on the bench, and just her being there was a lift for our girls." -- Scott Wilson SHANNON BRANDSMA School: Lynden Christian Position: Point guard Year: Senior What she did: The three-year starter helped lead the Lyncs to a fourth-place finish at state this season ... By the end of the year, Brandsma's assist to turnover ratio was 4 to 1, which DeHaan said is about as good as the program has ever had ... Averaged 3.5 assists per game at state ... Garnered Northwest Conference honorable mention honors ... Considering continuing basketball at next level. Coach's quote: "Shannon's content to make seven assists in a game and maybe shoot one or two shots. She's looking to set people up first. She's an outstanding passer and understands the game well." -- Curt DeHaan HONORABLE MENTION Player, school Tawny Julius, Bellingham Erin Peterson, Bellingham Kristen Elsbree, Blaine Bailey Richardson, Blaine Erika Locker, Ferndale Tasha Sandusky, Ferndale Kayleigh Ryan, Lynden Christian Jasmine Hommes, Lynden Christian Hannah Swanson, Lynden Hannah Shine, Lynden Bree Park, Meridian Ali Wasel, Meridian Haley Smith, Sehome Lauren Frey, Mount Baker Austen Beard, Nooksack Valley |