Boys basketball beats rival Lynden for first time in nearly 30 years

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Matt Dohner and Aaron Kortlever watched their sons, Avery and Jaxon, and the rest of Blaine’s boys basketball team beat Lynden for the first time since they were on the team. Matt watched online while away for work while Aaron watched from the stands.

On December 20, the Borderites beat the Lions 49-44 in the high school gymnasium. Twenty-nine years ago, in the 1992-93 season, Blaine beat Lynden twice in season where they lost in the first round of the state tournament to Ephrata, who went on to win state, former coach Rob Ridnour said. 

“For a Lynden standard, it wasn’t a very good year,” he said. “But anytime you beat Lynden that was a big win. Lynden was state-power every year.”

The following season Lynden changed divisions, and Ridnour said Blaine never played them again during his time as coach of the team. He coached from 1988-2000.

This year, the boys have had some tough battles and losses, losing to Burlington-Edison 61-59 by a buzzer-beater December 9. With a 3-4 record, Matt said hopefully the win will turn their season around. He said it was a tough, defensive battle – the Borderites held an undefeated Lynden to its lowest-scoring game so far this season.

“Kind of an ugly game,” Matt said. “But they deserved the win.” 

Ridnour, who led Blaine to two state championships in the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons, said this is a strong team this year. “The top eight guys on the team can all shoot and score, so when you have guys like that, you’re going to have a good team,” he said.

The Borderites are on the road the next two games at Mount Vernon Christian Thursday, December 30, and Anacortes Monday, January 3, 2022.

Sports roundup

Girls basketball

The Lady Borderites narrowly lost to Mount Vernon 54-51 in their home-opener December 17. They then traveled to Lynden December 20 where they lost 58-30. 

Blaine will host Anacortes Monday, January 3, and then travel to Lakewood Friday, January 7. Both games are at 7:15 p.m.

The girls have had a rough start to their Covid-19 delayed season. They are 4-1.

Wrestling

Boys varsity wrestling will compete at Meridian in a multi-school meet Monday, January 3. The girls team will compete next at Lynden Thursday, January 6.

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