Bear Creek Boys Basketball Makes History in 2025: A Season of Grit, Growth, and Glory
For the Bear Creek High School boys basketball team, the 2025 winter season was nothing short of historic. Under the leadership of Head Coach Tyler Mendezona, the team broke long-standing school records, reached new milestones, and, for the first time since moving to the 1A classification eleven years ago, punched their ticket to the state tournament at the Yakima Sundome.
Driven by standout performances, the emergence of young talent, and a gritty senior core, Bear Creek’s season was defined by resilience, unity, and competitive fire. As the dust settles on this incredible run, Coach Mendezona and his squad are already looking ahead, knowing that this season was just the beginning of something special.
A Season to Remember
In Coach Mendezona’s own words, “The season went really well.” That’s an understatement considering what this year’s team accomplished.
Not only did Bear Creek post the most wins in a single season since joining 1A, but they also qualified for the state tournament for the first time in over a decade—a feat that signals the program’s growing presence on the Washington high school basketball map.
More than wins and records, though, this team was built on grit, teamwork, and heart. “This group battled hard and played as a team with a ton of grit,” Mendezona said. “They truly earned every bit of success they had.”
The Engine Behind the Run: Max Bieber
Every successful team needs a player who can take over a game, and for Bear Creek, that player was senior Max Bieber. The heart and soul of the team, Bieber’s final season was a masterclass in dominance, leadership, and record-breaking excellence.
Let’s take a look at what he achieved this year:
MVP of the league
Surpassed 1,000 career points
Broke the single-game scoring record (38 points)
Set a new school record for points in a season
Set the single-season steals record
“He was the driving force of our team and willed his team to a lot of wins,” said Coach Mendezona.
Max’s performance wasn’t just about numbers. He inspired his teammates, set the tone in practice, and was the go-to player in clutch situations. His legacy will live on at Bear Creek, and his competitive spirit has set a new standard for future players.
The Turning Point: Coming Together Over Winter Break
For many teams, there's a moment in the season when everything starts to click. For Bear Creek, that “ah-ha” moment came during winter break.
“It happened for us over winter break—we really started to trust each other and grow together as a team,” Mendezona shared.
From that point forward, Bear Creek began playing with more confidence, chemistry, and cohesion. It wasn’t just about talent anymore—it was about unity. That bond carried them through conference play and into their historic state tournament berth.
Youth Movement: The Rise of Jensen and Whitlock
While Bieber was the centerpiece, the emergence of young players like Conner Jensen (sophomore) and James Whitlock (freshman) was equally critical to Bear Creek’s success.
These two underclassmen grew into major roles on both ends of the court, contributing timely buckets, defensive stops, and mature play far beyond their years.
“Conner and James both grew into HUGE roles for us this year,” Mendezona said. “Offensively and defensively, they became key contributors and were huge parts of our success down the stretch.”
Their rapid development is not just a reflection of their talent—it’s a testament to the team culture and coaching that encourages growth and responsibility at every level.
Toughness in the Face of Adversity
Every season brings its share of adversity, and this year was no different. The team battled through illnesses and absences, with key players missing crucial games. But rather than folding under pressure, Bear Creek embraced a “next man up” mentality.
“We had a lot of sickness this year and key guys missed key games,” said Mendezona. “But we have a ‘next man up’ philosophy, and the other guys really stepped up to the challenge.”
That mindset—of being ready when your name is called—proved vital. Depth players seized their moments, and the team’s collective resilience shone through in high-pressure situations.
A Senior Class Built for Battle
Though not large in number, Bear Creek’s senior class was mighty in impact. They brought something the program hadn’t had in a while: a gritty, competitive edge.
“This senior class was incredibly gritty,” Mendezona reflected. “They brought a competitive edge that we haven’t had in our program in some time. They were tough and willed their team to multiple wins.”
Their influence went far beyond stats. They modeled what it means to lead, to compete, and to leave everything on the court. Their legacy will be more than just banners or trophies—it’s the culture they’ve helped instill.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
As Bear Creek turns the page on a landmark season, the excitement for the future is palpable.
With young stars like Jensen and Whitlock returning and a hungry group of underclassmen waiting in the wings, Coach Mendezona sees the potential for sustained success.
“We have some young guys that are really hungry and ready to contribute,” he said. “They’re working hard this off-season and want to repeat the success we had this last year.”
But repeating—or surpassing—success won’t happen automatically. The focus now is on growth. Coach Mendezona is looking for his players to continue improving both individually and as a team, sharpening their skills, building strength, and deepening their basketball IQ.
“We need to keep growing as a team,” he added. “Some of our young guys need to keep working hard to make strides.”
Where to Follow the Bears
Fans looking to keep up with Bear Creek’s stats, players, and next season's progress can find information on MaxPreps or reach out directly to the coaching staff.
With momentum on their side, the Bear Creek Bears are poised for another exciting chapter in 2026. And if this season was any indication, this team is only just getting started.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Bear Creek boys basketball season wasn’t just about breaking records—it was about breaking barriers, redefining expectations, and laying the foundation for a new era of success.
Led by an MVP in Max Bieber, fueled by a gritty senior class, and powered by a rising core of young talent, this team proved what’s possible with belief, effort, and unity.
From the first tip-off to the final buzzer in Yakima, Bear Creek showed what it means to compete with heart—and made school history along the way.
Set a new school record for points in a season
Set the single-season steals record
“He was the driving force of our team and willed his team to a lot of wins,” said Coach Mendezona.
Max’s performance wasn’t just about numbers. He inspired his teammates, set the tone in practice, and was the go-to player in clutch situations. His legacy will live on at Bear Creek, and his competitive spirit has set a new standard for future players.
The Turning Point: Coming Together Over Winter Break
For many teams, there's a moment in the season when everything starts to click. For Bear Creek, that “ah-ha” moment came during winter break.
“It happened for us over winter break—we really started to trust each other and grow together as a team,” Mendezona shared.
From that point forward, Bear Creek began playing with more confidence, chemistry, and cohesion. It wasn’t just about talent anymore—it was about unity. That bond carried them through conference play and into their historic state tournament berth.
Youth Movement: The Rise of Jensen and Whitlock
While Bieber was the centerpiece, the emergence of young players like Conner Jensen (sophomore) and James Whitlock (freshman) was equally critical to Bear Creek’s success.
These two underclassmen grew into major roles on both ends of the court, contributing timely buckets, defensive stops, and mature play far beyond their years.
“Conner and James both grew into HUGE roles for us this year,” Mendezona said. “Offensively and defensively, they became key contributors and were huge parts of our success down the stretch.”
Their rapid development is not just a reflection of their talent—it’s a testament to the team culture and coaching that encourages growth and responsibility at every level.
Toughness in the Face of Adversity
Every season brings its share of adversity, and this year was no different. The team battled through illnesses and absences, with key players missing crucial games. But rather than folding under pressure, Bear Creek embraced a “next man up” mentality.
“We had a lot of sickness this year and key guys missed key games,” said Mendezona. “But we have a ‘next man up’ philosophy, and the other guys really stepped up to the challenge.”
That mindset—of being ready when your name is called—proved vital. Depth players seized their moments, and the team’s collective resilience shone through in high-pressure situations.
A Senior Class Built for Battle
Though not large in number, Bear Creek’s senior class was mighty in impact. They brought something the program hadn’t had in a while: a gritty, competitive edge.
“This senior class was incredibly gritty,” Mendezona reflected. “They brought a competitive edge that we haven’t had in our program in some time. They were tough and willed their team to multiple wins.”
Their influence went far beyond stats. They modeled what it means to lead, to compete, and to leave everything on the court. Their legacy will be more than just banners or trophies—it’s the culture they’ve helped instill.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
As Bear Creek turns the page on a landmark season, the excitement for the future is palpable.
With young stars like Jensen and Whitlock returning and a hungry group of underclassmen waiting in the wings, Coach Mendezona sees the potential for sustained success.
“We have some young guys that are really hungry and ready to contribute,” he said. “They’re working hard this off-season and want to repeat the success we had this last year.”
But repeating—or surpassing—success won’t happen automatically. The focus now is on growth. Coach Mendezona is looking for his players to continue improving both individually and as a team, sharpening their skills, building strength, and deepening their basketball IQ.
“We need to keep growing as a team,” he added. “Some of our young guys need to keep working hard to make strides.”
Where to Follow the Bears
Fans looking to keep up with Bear Creek’s stats, players, and next season's progress can find information on MaxPreps or reach out directly to the coaching staff.
With momentum on their side, the Bear Creek Bears are poised for another exciting chapter in 2026. And if this season was any indication, this team is only just getting started.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Bear Creek boys basketball season wasn’t just about breaking records—it was about breaking barriers, redefining expectations, and laying the foundation for a new era of success.
Led by an MVP in Max Bieber, fueled by a gritty senior class, and powered by a rising core of young talent, this team proved what’s possible with belief, effort, and unity.
From the first tip-off to the final buzzer in Yakima, Bear Creek showed what it means to compete with heart—and made school history along the way.)
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