Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Scotlyn Helm attacks the basket. (Photos courtesy Megan Richter)

“We’re leaving with a full heart.”

Coupeville High School girls’ varsity basketball coach Megan Richter, who recently stepped down to focus on family, led her final summer camp, setting up the Wolf hoops program for continued growth.

The Firecracker Skills Clinic drew 14 girls who spent three days putting in “countless reps” and showing “so much growth.”

“Watching these girls show up every day ready to work, compete, ask questions, and encourage one another reminded me why we love coaching,” Richter said.

“Basketball is about so much more than making shots or learning new moves. It’s about building confidence, learning to be a great teammate, and finding the courage to keep improving, even when it’s hard.

“This group embraced that, and we’re proud of every one of them.”

Future Wolf hoops stars, ready to rain down buckets today.

As she steps away (for now, at least) Richter reflected on a journey in which she has both played and coached at every level for Coupeville basketball.

While she won’t be the one calling the shots going forward, her pride in what she has helped shape is unmistakable.

“Thank you to all of the players and families for trusting me with a small part of your summer,” Richter said.

“We can’t wait to watch these girls continue to grow, and we’re excited for what’s ahead for Coupeville girls’ basketball.

“Keep working. Keep competing. Keep believing in yourselves. The future is bright. Go Wolves!”

Anna Powers (center) enjoys her time as an athlete. (Photos courtesy Kelly Powers)

Anna Powers rarely stops moving.

Or at least it seems that way, as the speedy three-sport athlete finds time to excel in cross country, basketball, and track and field, while also filling her free hours with tons of other activities.

Powers, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School this fall, “loves taking pictures, shopping, hiking, baking, and going to the pool with my friends.”

Then toss in reading and doing puzzles, plus playing badminton — “I have a net in my back yard, and I play with my family all the time” — plus her involvement in Scouts and theater.

Loppers in hand, Powers clears the trail.

Being a Scouts member has her working on service projects, fine-tuning her culinary skills — “I’m an excellent s’mores maker!” — and backpacking through nature.

Meanwhile her love of musicals brings Anna and big sis Allie to the stage at the Whidbey Playhouse.

The Powers siblings are featured in a production of “Mean Girls Jr.,” and can be seen (and heard) in action between July 19-August 2.

As she juggles her many interests, the outgoing young Wolf has already made a name for herself as an athlete to watch.

Powers ran all three years she was in middle school, capping her 8th grade season of cross country by claiming top two finishes in five of her seven races.

Zipping down trails just seems to come naturally to her.

“My favorite sport is 100% cross country,” Powers said. “I love the people, the competition, the bus rides, and I guess the running.

“Also, my coach, Mrs. (Amber) Wyman was such a good coach; she made the practices fun and silly but also effective.

“Also, fun runs during the summer are a great way to see my friends and get some good exercise.”

Powers has already set goals for her high school harrier career, and, once again, shows a strong balance there.

“I want to go to state for cross country and I want to letter in cross country,” she said. “I also want to have fun!”

As a track and field star, Powers competed in eight different events across three CMS seasons, running relays, clearing the hurdles, chucking the shot put and discus, soaring as a long jumper, and powering through both the 800 and 1600.

Always ready to tackle a new challenge with a positive attitude.

Meanwhile, upholding her commitment to staying busy, she balanced two different basketball teams, playing for both the middle school squad and the high school JV team as an 8th grader.

Powers plans to stay with all three of her sports as she makes the transition to high school, getting something positive out of all her diverse pursuits.

“I like being a part of a team, competing, and having a practice to look forward to after school; the exercise is also a bonus,” she said.

“I hope that doing multiple sports makes me a well-rounded and competitive athlete.”

Through it all, Powers has drawn support from family and friends, and she pays special tribute to her mom, Kelly, for being her go-to person.

“My mother has always been a huge supporter of all my sports,” she said.

“She has been my coach countless times, and she has always helped me whether it be helping me fix my hurdle form or waking up early to make me a breakfast sandwich before school.”

The ever-busy star, momentarily at rest.

Artwork by Lori Angdahl.

I grew up in the book stacks.

My mom was a children’s librarian in Kelso when my sister and I were younger, and we haunted the two-story building many days.

We also got to see a side of things few other kids did, as my dad was a window washer/carpet cleaner and was contracted to clean the library from top to bottom each year over a holiday break.

When that happened, the four of us stayed there overnight, eating in the librarian’s kitchen, otherwise off limits to young ruffians, and listening to the haunting strains of passing trains in the night on nearby tracks.

I was expected to help my dad from time to time, mainly when it was time to drain the carpet cleaning machine, but otherwise I could devote my hours to reading anything and everything I could get my hands on, regardless of which section the books and magazines were stored in.

There has hardly been a moment of my life when I didn’t have a library card, and my sister has kept that tradition alive with all three of her sons.

The past 20 years or so, I’ve lived less than a mile from the library in Coupeville, making the trip easy, even during times when I’ve been without a working vehicle.

While I might not get to hang out there reading Mad Magazine at 2:00 AM like in my younger days (and why not??), the Sno-Isle system has been invaluable.

Now, with one simple vote, you can help repay all that our librarians bring to our communities.

Coupeville Sports, and the son of a librarian, fully endorses voting Yes on Proposition 1, a replacement levy which renews and restores funding as the current levy, passed by voters in 2018, expires.

There is much to be said for why this is the right choice, and all the facts and FAQ’s can be found here:

Vote YES for Sno-Isle Libraries!

Do it for my mom’s memory.

But mainly, do it so your own children can have all the same benefits my sister and I were given when a lifetime of library love was nurtured.

John Patton

One of two men responsible for creating “The Bucket,” the trophy given to the winner of the annual Coupeville vs. South Whidbey High School football game, has retired.

John Patton, who was the Falcon Athletic Director when he and CHS counterpart Willie Smith got creative to solve a disagreement between students at their respective schools, has been the SWHS Principal since 2011.

His retirement, which caps a three-decade run in the world of education, was effective July 1.

“Principal Patton’s departure marks the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter for the South Whidbey School District, where he has been a cornerstone of leadership, sportsmanship, and school spirit,” said South Whidbey Superintendent Dr. Becky Clifford.

“(His) impact on generations of students, athletes, and staff is immeasurable. Over his distinguished career, he has worn many hats, leaving a lasting legacy in every role.”

Patton’s run includes 14 years as SWHS Principal and six as Assistant Principal.

“He guided South Whidbey High School with steady leadership, excellence, and a deep care for the student body,” Clifford said.

“He successfully guided us through high academic and athletic achievements, enrollment declines, the major transition and expansion from a 9-12 campus to a 6-12 campus, and the massive construction project that impacted the high school staff first.”

“We thank Principal Patton for his exceptional service, his unmatched dedication, and the incredible legacy of leadership he leaves behind.”

Liam Blas and CHS coach Bennett Richter claim their prize. (Kevin Blas photo)

While his departure will be felt mostly on the South end, his athletic legacy will live on every time CHS gridiron players, coaches, and fans look at The Bucket, currently residing in Cow Town after the Wolves demolished the Falcons 35-6 last fall.

The trophy, which features each team’s logo — and a big dent courtesy of a pissed-off South Whidbey coach who kicked The Bucket after losing the rivalry game years ago — has been in play since 2008.

It was the brainchild of Smith and Patton in response to an incident at a volleyball match, where a Coupeville student filled a bucket with water and dumped it on South Whidbey fans, setting off a near-riot.

Looking to turn a negative into a positive, the duo transformed the weapon of mass hydration into a trophy, cementing their places in Whidbey athletic lore.

The Wolves go coast-to-coast, sort of. (Photos courtesy Brad Sherman)

They trekked across the state, drawn by the sound of squeaking sneakers.

A pack of 20 Coupeville High School basketball players and their coaches recently traveled from Cow Town to Spokane to attend a summer hoops camp held at the hardwood hotbed of Gonzaga University.

The school which produced all-timers like John Stockton, Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren, and Jean-Claude Lefebvre (look him up…) welcomed the Wolves and other schools from across multiple states and countries.

While in Spokane, the CHS hoopsters squared off with rival squads from Washington, Oregon, Montana, and the wilds of Canada, playing 12 games.

“Our boys worked hard this week against some great competition,” said Wolf varsity head coach Brad Sherman.

“Great crew of guys to cross the state with. Proud of the hard work and commitment to growth.

“Looking forward to the year ahead with these boys – but right now just grateful for the opportunity we had in Spokane this week!”

Ready to rumble.

Games were played at various spots across the Gonzaga campus, with start times ranging from early morning to late evening.

The Wolves also participated in weight room and court clinics, short situational games, late night team bonding in the dorms, and a couple of froyo trips “in the rare down time.”

Topping things off, Coupeville played one of its games on the main Gonzaga court, where Mark Few’s Bulldogs routinely terrorize the top teams in the nation.

“Playing on that court, that was pretty cool,” Sherman said.

 

Making the trip:

Sage Arends
Colton Ashby
Liam Blas
Nathan Coxsey
Jaxen Curry
Diesel Eck
Xander Flowers
Carson Grove
Gracen Joiner
Khanor Jump
Riley Lawless
Liam Lawson
Mahkai Myles
Les Queen
Kamden Ratcliff
River Simpson
Cyrus Sparacio
Trey Stewart
Brian Thompson
Aiden Wheat