File photo – Jack Westfall

Seniors Jack Westfall and Kannon Christiansen played their final basketball games for Ferndale over the weekend, as the Wildcats bowed out of the North Coast Section Division-6 playoffs with a 71-45 loss at Cornerstone Christian.

Both players played a key role on a much-improved Ferndale team this season and will be sorely missed, according to head coach Tristan Waters.

“They are the heart and soul of this team,” the head coach said of the inspirational duo. “They are the type of competitors any coach would love to have. I’m really sad to see them go, but I know they will take these life lessons and move on to succeed down the paths they take.

“These two kids are everything to the community of Ferndale. They will be missed by the town as well as the entire H-DN fanbase.”

Christiansen finished with 19 points in the loss to the No. 1 seeds in the bracket and had another impressive outing.

“I felt like he was the most dominant player in the paint out there tonight,” Waters said. “He’s a workhorse and I loved coaching him the last two years.”

Westfall added 16 points and made his presence felt in a physical game with several key blocks.

“He was a highlight reel out there tonight and it was fun to see him do his thing,” Waters said. “Jack was my leader the last two years and I’m blessed to be able to spend the time I did to work with him.”

Waters says his team “battled every second” against the top seeds, whom he believes will be hard to beat.

“They are the best team we have played all season and they are the most physical team we’ve played all season on top of that,” he said, adding that “it’s ridiculous the talent and athleticism they have.”

The Wildcats enjoyed a much improved season this winter and returned to the NCS postseason after going winless in the Little 4 a year ago.

“I’m proud of my team for how far we have come since the beginning of the season,” Waters said. “Good luck to the rest of the H-DN teams that are still alive.”

Kannon Christiansen