Ryan Griggs, here shooting a free-throw in a game earlier this season, is moving to Arizona. (Shelli Trumbull photos)
All three Wolves in this photo, Anthony Bergeron (20), Josiah Campbell (shooting free-throw) and Joel Walstad (23), had big plays in their team’s win Thursday.
They sent Ryan Griggs out a winner.
Playing with the freshman fireball for the final time before his family moves to Arizona over the Christmas break, the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team nipped host Friday Harbor Thursday. The dramatic one-point victory was not only the team’s first of the season, but it was the ultimate display of team ball.
“I would rather they won this way than win the first one by a blowout,” said Wolf coach Dustin Vanvelkinburgh. “You learn a lot more in a close game.”
The Wolves, who had come within shouting distance of a win in each of their last three games, finally clicked on all aspects. Strong defense, wise decisions on offense and consistent play throughout the game.
“We played good, solid man-to-man ‘d’, made our rotations, weren’t reaching,” Vanvelkinburgh said. “I’m really proud of the boys.”
After falling behind by eight at the half, Coupeville reversed a season-long trend and controlled the second half.
As the action wound down, Josiah Campbell popped a big jump shot and Joel Walstad sealed the deal with an epic three-point bomb off a pass from Anthony Bergeron. That play was set up when Bergeron pump-faked his defender out of his sneakers, but then found the open man instead of trying to force a shot under pressure.
“That showed maturity,” Vanvelkinburgh said. “Very nice to see.”
The only down side was the news that Griggs, a six-footer with huge upside, was leaving. His family has business opportunities in Arizona, but Griggs told his coach he hopes to return to CHS for his senior season.
“He’s a great kid. Hard worker, has length. We’ll miss him, but I’m very happy we could send him out on a good note,” Vanvelkinburgh said.
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