The spark is back (and other things to watch for tonight)!!

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The spark is back (and other things to watch for tonight)!!

January 11, 2013 by David Svien

Madeline Strasburg — the spark that lights the fire for the Wolves — is back. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Mad Dog is back!

Now, I’m not sure whether Madeline Strasburg is even OK with that nickname, but since the Coupeville High School sophomore plays like a ferocious ball of fire on the basketball court, constantly nipping at the ball as she bats it away from foes, it kind of fits.

Plus, it would mean we could call her and teammate/best bud Hailey Hammer “Mad Dog and Hammer Time,” which would be the greatest title ever for a buddy cop show.

But anyway, we’re here to talk about the fact that Strasburg is expected back on the court tonight when big baddie Cedarcrest comes calling (JV tips at 5:15, varsity at 7). After missing several games with a knee/leg injury, the spark that lights a fire under the Wolves has been re-lit.

And Strasburg’s return isn’t the only storyline being played out tonight.

Sophomore post Monica Vidoni has reeled off back-to-back big offensive performances, dropping 22 at Granite Falls and 20 at home against King’s in JV games. The only Wolf, boy or girl, varsity or JV, to top the 20-point barrier twice this season (Ben Etzell popped for 21 in a varsity game against Granite Falls), she goes for three in a row tonight.

At the varsity level, there’s also the revenge factor.

The first time these two schools met was way back on Dec. 7 and Coupeville played a then unbeaten Cedarcrest squad virtually even in the first half. Down just 25-17 at the half, the Wolves then hit a cold shooting streak in the second half, however, and were sent home on the wrong end of a 62-24 score.

Coming off a game when it stared down powerful King’s and pushed the Knights to the very end, Coupeville will look to carry over its strong play and pull off the upset of the season.

The Red Wolves come to town at 11-2 overall, 6-1 in Cascade Conference play, with their only league loss coming to Archbishop Thomas Murphy (7-0). Coupeville is 5-7 overall and fourth in the eight-team league at 3-4.

But, I don’t know if you heard … Mad Dog is back. Now anything is possible.