McKenzie Bailey (owner of the best socks in the game) looks for an open teammate during a practice, while Miranda Engle moves past her. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
Undefeated and loving it!
It may only be two games into the season, but it’s never too early to heap praise on the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball squad, which has come out firing on all cylinders this season.
Getting contributions from their entire roster, the Wolves have roared out to a 2-0 start after paddling host Meridian 35-18 Saturday afternoon. With six players scoring, led by Miranda Engle with nine and Wynter Thorne with seven, Coupeville broke the game open in the second quarter.
Using a 14-5 run, sparked by four points apiece from Engle and Kacie Kiel, the Wolves cracked Meridian’s zone defense. After that, they called on their own defense, with Madeline Strasburg and McKayla Bailey harassing the Trojan point guards relentlessly and Strasburg picking off several passes on inbound plays.
In fact, the fired up Coupeville defense held Meridian without a field goal in the entire second half, surrendering just a handful of free throws.
The game got progressively rougher as it played out, said Coupeville coach Amy King. The Wolves racked up 20 fouls while briefly losing Kiel (twisted knee) and Engle (victim of being clocked extra hard in the key).
Both bounced back and King was pleased to see her new-to-the-game players chip in with hustle and strong play, as well.
“Samantha Martin had her first steal ever, racing down the court closely followed by two defenders. Another first, Julia Felici got a little physical and chalked up her first foul of the season,” King said. “Yes, I live for the “firsts” and just love watching these girls improving.”
Engle and Thorne were backed up in the scoring column by Kiel, who tossed in six and Strasburg and McKenzie Bailey, who each pumped in five. McKayla Bailey rounded out the scoring attack with her first three points of the season.
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