This was a test, and a testament to each program.
King’s Way Christian wanted to put its boys basketball team against one of the best in the state.
Lynden Christian wanted the challenge of going up against a state tournament-worthy squad.
Both teams took something away from Tuesday’s game, and Lynden Christian’s Zach Roetcisoender took home a career high.
Roetcisoender scored 39 points, leading the Lyncs to a 60-51 victory over the Knights.
“We’ve been thinking about this game for a while,” Roetcisoender said. “This is a big trip for us. We played a really great team. That’s always good. We like playing great teams. It makes us better.”
The Lyncs should know. They have been to the state tournament in four of the past five seasons, finishing second last year. Lynden Christian’s tournament history dates back to the 1960s.
King’s Way, meanwhile, is a new school but also has tourney experience. The Knights finished fourth last year in Yakima.
“When the season was over last year, we wanted to make sure we were very aggressive with our non-league schedule,” King’s Way coach Daven Harmeling said. “For us, they are the benchmark. They’re (decades) ahead of where we want to go as far as being consistent. They are the ultimate team. Play with passion. They do everything the right way.”
With that said, the Knights should feel good about their performance. King’s Way was without two regulars due to injury, including starter Arda Aydin. King’s Way led after the first quarter and trailed by two at the half. The Knights would struggle to find a way to stop Roetcisoender the rest of the way, but this was not a runaway.
Roetcisoender was 13 of 23 from the floor, including four 3-pointers. He also made 9 of his 10 free throws.
Kienan Walter led King’s Way with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Skyler Freeman made three consecutive 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter, keeping the Knights within striking distance. He finished with 11 points.
Roetcisoender, though, scored his team’s first 16 points of the final quarter.
Lynden Christian coach Roger De Boer said this was a one-game trip for his squad, but the Lyncs made it a memorable one by traveling to the area Monday, then hanging out at the Adidas campus in Portland.
“We don’t get to see Southwest Washington teams very much,” De Boer said. “We thought this would be a great opportunity.”
King’s Way will travel to Lynden next season.
Roetcisoender and Walter won’t be there. They are seniors this season.
By then, both program hope to have another state tournament berth on their r?sum?s.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 60, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 51
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN — Josiah Meppelink 3, Lucas Roetcisoender 0, Jake Poag 7, Zach Roetcisoender 39, Nate Hielkema 7, Tanner Bouma 2, Grant Rubbert 0, George De Jong 2. Totals 19 (5) 17-25 60.
KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN — Judah Smith 0, Skyler Freeman 11, Karter Graves 9, Joe Mills 4, Kyle Gonzales 7, Kienan Walter 20, Preston Dangberg 0. Totals 19 (6) 7-12 51.
Lynden C. 8 14 15 23–60
King’s Way 11 9 8 23–51
