The defending Washington State 1B Boys’ Basketball champion Lummi Nation Blackhawks were even better than advertised when they visited La Conner last Friday.

The Lummi girls’ hoops squad was impressive as well.

The two Whatcom County powers earned a sweep of La Conner Braves teams during non-league action before a packed house at Landy James Gym.

The Lummi boys, led by senior post Chayce Waite-Keller’s 24 points — a total that included a half-dozen dunks — defeated La Conner 78-21. Waite-Keller, a transfer from Monroe High School and a Central Washington University recruit, was joined in double-figure scoring by teammates Dyson Edwards (13) and Deandre James (12).

Edwards, a junior, is a grandson of all-time Braves great Glen Edwards, who attended the game, joined by a host of friends and family.

Another of Edwards’ grandsons, Jerome Toby, Jr., orchestrated the Blackhawks offense with pinpoint passing and scored four points while playing superb defense. Toby, the reigning Whatcom County steals leader, was named Most Valuable Player of the Washington 1B Boys’ Hardwood Classic in Spokane last March when Lummi secured its second state title in a decade.

Lummi, with Waite-Keller controlling play in the paint, bolted to a 28-7 first quarter lead over La Conner and never looked back.

Waite-Keller, eight inches taller than any of the Braves players, displayed excellent footwork and leaping ability in traffic. He scored all his points on two-point field goals, mostly from near or above the rim, and had no trips to the foul stripe.

The Braves were led by junior guard Jimbo Bobb, who scored nine points, including a pair of deep treys. Senior guard Hadden Zimmerman, who had been sidelined earlier with knee issues, tallied six points on a trio of contested mid-range jumpers.

Keaton Bailey and Kaleb Otis scored four and two points, respectively, for the Braves.

With the win, the Lummi boys improved to 6-2 on the season. One of their wins was against 2A Sehome of Bellingham. The Blackhawks’ losses thus far were to 2A Lakewood and 1A Lynden Christian.

After a strong start, during which they held several first quarter leads, the La Conner girls fell 61-36 to a Lummi lineup fueled by six three-pointers.

Jemma James paced the victors with 23 points. Ailina Rabang finished with 14.

Faith Jenkins led six La Conner scorers with 11 points, eight in the second half.

Maeve McCormick gave La Conner an early 6-3 lead with a floater in the lane. The Braves led again at 10-9 on a Jenkins breakaway.

La Conner’s last lead was 13-11 on a three-pointer by Nora McCormick in the final minute of the opening period. The Blackhawks answered with an 8-0 spurt to take a 19-13 advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Braves were hindered when Maeve McCormick drew her third foul late in the first quarter, limiting her playing time and forcing La Conner to employ a zone defense the rest of the game. Still, it was two Maeve McCormick free throws in the second frame that briefly trimmed the Lummi margin to 21-15.

The Blackhawks closed out the first half with a 13-4 run for a commanding 34-19 halftime lead.

Faith Jenkins was joined in the La Conner scoring column by Nora McCormick (8), Maeve McCormick (6), Kiana Jenkins (6), Isabelle Villard (3) and Sophia Edwards (2).

Lummi pushed its season ledger to 5-1. La Conner slipped to 5-2.

La Conner teams are next scheduled to play in the Mount Vernon Christian Holiday Tournament Dec. 29-31. The boys are tentatively set to open against Willapa Valley Dec. 29 (2 p.m.), with the girls paired opposite Forks Dec. 29 in a 3:45 p.m. tipoff.

Most tourney games will be held at the Mount Vernon Christian Gym. La Conner has been asked to host four games on Dec. 31, starting at 8 a.m., with teams yet to be determined.         

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.