Coupeville Sports

  Carlie Rosenkrance threw down a game-high 16 Tuesday, more than doubling Granite Falls by herself. (John Fisken photo)

They are getting closer and closer to the perfect defensive game.

First, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball team held ATM scoreless for one eight-minute quarter. Then the Wolves blanked Mount Vernon Christian for a half. Tuesday night they stretched it to three quarters.

Only surrendering baskets in one quarter of play (the third), the Wolves romped to a 33-6 victory at Granite Falls in a game in which two Coupeville players would have outscored the Tigers by themselves.

“I was impressed by how much we have stepped up over these past few games and the improvements in these girls,” said Coupeville coach Amy King. “Defense really does win games; they believe it and their execution has been excellent.”

With their defense in lock-down mode, the Wolves were able to shrug off a slower than normal start. Picking up the scoring pace in the second quarter, Coupeville rode 10 first-half points from freshman Carlie Rosenkrance to an 18-0 halftime lead.

After a brief slip in the third (the Wolves actually allowed Granite to score), Coupeville went back into maniac, you-will-not-score mode in the fourth, putting a stamp on its win.

The Wolves, who normally spread their offense around through eight or nine players, limited the point-scoring duties to five Tuesday, with Rosenkrance finishing with 16.

Sophia Jebrail tossed in seven in support, to beat Granite by herself, while Kailey Kellner and Lauren Grove each popped for four. Wynter Thorne added a bucket in a brief appearance before moving up to play in the varsity game.

But it was all about defense — AGGRESSIVE defense — for the Wolves, with every girl on the court chipping in with a contribution.

“I have to give praise to Mattea (Miller) and her aggressive tone on the court,” King said. “She was anticipating everything and played solid the entire game.  She has a great shot but sometimes shots just don’t fall, so she put everything into defense.

“Skyler (Lawrence) the same,” she added. “I asked her if she scored and with a smile she said they kept getting a hand in my face but I had a LOT of rebounds. Yes she did!”

Coming off of her varsity debut Saturday, Rosenkrance returned to the JV and lit up Granite Falls on both sides of the ball.

“I have never seen Carlie as aggressive as I saw her tonight,” King said. “She really stepped into a quiet leadership role and got a hand on so many of their passes, ripped the ball out of their hands on the press and drove the ball to score over and over again.”