Lynden Christian guard Cole Bajema shorts a 3-ball versus Lynden at Jake Maberry Gymnasium. PHOTO: Jeff Bearden
Bajema Tames Lions & Crowd at The Jake
January 26, 2019
Cole Bajema knows the best time to put on a show is in front of a packed house. The senior did exactly that at a sold out Jake Maberry Gymnasium Friday night, leading Lynden Christian past Lynden 75-57 in a Northwest Conference showdown.
The Michigan bound guard scored a game high 32 points with five triples, and 10 rebounds as the Lyncs handed the Lions their first loss of the season in a match-up of top-ranked, defending state champs.
3-thousand tickets were sold for the game and fans were jammed into any and every available seat at The Jake. Despite the huge crowd, Bajema said it was all about the focus he and his teammates brought into the game.
"We had a really good week of practice, probably one of our best," said Bajema. "There's tons of people here, We just had to keep our composure. It was a lot of fun...we loved it."
Lynden Christian (18-0/11-0 NWC) seemed to relish the big stage, playing lose and quick right from the opening tip. Using an aggressive defense, the Lyncs jumped out to an 11-to-4 start in the 1st quarter to set the tone for the game. They would never give up the lead.
MORE: LISTEN TO THE FULL GAME IN OUR ARCHIVES
It's the chasing down a loose ball, it getting the big rebound, it's the big box out, it's the big jump-stop pass. It's all those little tiny things that work into it, said Lynden Christian coach Roger DeBoer. "Because the only way you're going to beat a team the caliber of Lynden and as good as Lynden is, is you gotta do the little things well, because that's what they do. So I thought our kids really embraced that."
The Lyncs would eventually hold the Lions to just 39% shooting on the night. At 17 points below their season average, Lynden matched their lowest single game point total of the year.
As for the other-worldly performance out of Bajema, DeBoer sounded very proud of what he saw out of his D-1 star.
"I think he showed why people are interested in him. Why he was offered all the different scholarships he was offered," said DeBoer. "He's the real deal and it was cool for him to have this stage to show that tonight."
Guard Luke Bos was the Robin to Bajema's Batman in the win. The senior scored 17 points for LC. Hw was clutch from long range, going 5-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Lynden (17-1/10-1 NWC) was led by the 21 points from senior guard Christian Zamora. Senior forward Clayton Whitman finished with 20 points and a trio of rim rattling dunks in the loss.
The Lions are back in action Monday with a road game at Blaine. the Lyncs return to the hardwood Tuesday playing host to Meridian.
- Doug Lange
Lynden Christian coach Roger DeBoer looks on from the bench during Friday's 75-57 victory over Lynden. PHOTO: Jeff Bearden
The packed house at Jake Maberry Gymnasium for Friday's Coaches vs. Cancer Game was the first sell-out since 2007. PHOTO: Jeff Bearden
