About the Whatcom Lightning

 My daughter has been training and playing with Whatcom Lightning over the last year. She has made tons of progress in her fundamental skills and conditioning as a basketball player. She continues to develop and grow in all aspects of the game. We are thankful for the dedicated and passionate coaches who have the knowledge and ability to help develop not only fundamental skills, but also the strength, attitude, dedication, and character of our young athlete—both on and off the court!

 My daughter has worked with the amazing duo of Jeff and Matt since 2023, and she has come a long way. They believed in her and in her potential. Furthermore, they created a space for her to learn and grow. 

 We were looking for an opportunity for our daughter to grow her basketball fundamentals, and what we found in Whatcom Lightning was so much more than just basketball. In the last year, our daughter not only grew leaps and bounds in her basketball abilities, but also as a strong, confident young lady!

Practices are not easy—you have to earn your keep—but the rewards for hard work and dedication translate into game time and tournament success!

I can confidently say that our experience with Whatcom Lightning will be the groundwork for a prosperous basketball career for our daughter, along with foundational life lessons in teamwork, self-determination, resilience, work ethic, and positivity!

My daughter Ava Clemenson showed an interest in basketball early on, but it wasn’t until around 3rd grade that I realized just how much talent she had. In Lynden, that’s considered a late start—most kids are on select teams by kindergarten.

While cutting Matt Munkres' hair one day, I asked how to get Ava on a team since most seemed full. He mentioned starting one-on-one training, and that simple idea quickly grew. Soon, more girls in the same situation began joining in.

What started as individual sessions turned into 3-on-3 games, which led to forming a team—and eventually to the creation of an entirely new program by Matt and Jeff Munkres. Through this journey, Ava has grown immensely—not just physically, but mentally. She’s learned how to dribble, focus, shoot, pass, play offense and defense, sink 3-pointers, and most importantly, how to be a team player and a leader.

Her confidence has blossomed—not just from winning, but from learning how to lose and grow from it. Every experience has made her a better player.

This past year, Ava had the chance to "play up." It was challenging, but it pushed her to grow. She learned new positions and played against older, more experienced players. When she returned to her own grade level, her growth was undeniable—she could see how far she’d come.

You’re giving amazing athletes—especially those who started late—a real chance. And you lead with faith, building both skill and character. We couldn’t ask for better coaches.

None of this would have been possible without the patience, time, and dedication our coaches pour into these players. We’re truly grateful.

 Emma has been playing for Whatcom Lightning with Coaches Matt, Jeff, and Clay for the past year, and it has been an incredible experience. She’s loved meeting teammates who not only share her love for basketball but also her determination and drive. Over this past year, she has grown tremendously—not just in her skills on the court, but in her confidence as well.

Thanks to the thoughtful, knowledgeable coaching from Matt, Jeff and Clay, she’s been able to learn and develop in a way that’s both challenging and supportive. They  know how to connect with kids and meet them where they are, fostering both their growth in skills and their belief in themselves.

It’s such a positive, encouraging environment, and we’re so grateful to have found this program!