Lauren Rose (30), part of the bright future of Wolf basketball. (John Fisken photo)
Safe at home.
Lauren Rose has a jump shot that most high school players would envy.
With a quick release and a soft follow-through, the Coupeville Middle School eighth grader is money when it comes to nailing other teams with pull-up daggers.
Playing with a talented point guard in Mia Littlejohn, who can drive and dish, Rose makes the most of her opportunities when the ball comes her way.
Part of a talented group of CMS girls, which also includes post players Katrina McGranahan, Sage Renninger and Kyla Briscoe, she is the future of Wolf basketball, and it’s a bright future.
Not bad for a softball junkie who only started playing hoops a season ago.
“Before that I was never really interested, but I decided to give it a shot,” Rose said. “There were a lot of new players on the team so I didn’t feel like I would be inferior skill-wise.”
While she has confidence in her ball-handling and enjoys being a team player, it’s her shot-making (which has been flawless in games I’ve seen) that still concerns her.
“I would really like to work on my shots. I would also like to be more aggressive,” Rose said. “What I enjoy most about basketball is the team effort. Everyone on the court has a specific job and when everyone does that job, points are scored. It’s like a well-oiled machine.”
Whether it’s on the playing field (she’s a third-baseman/shortstop in softball and also plays volleyball) or the classroom, Rose is all about putting the work in.
“My goal for this season is for our team to have more wins than losses,” Rose said. “Last year we won four and lost four. This year we are well on our way to beating they record, but we still need to play our hardest.”
A straight-A student and math whiz, she’s one of just 11 CMS eighth graders to have started in geometry this year.
Finding the balance between being a three-sport athlete and getting her classroom work done is never easy, but she enjoys the challenge.
“I am a very hardworking student,” Rose said. “I don’t have a lot of free time with all my sports, but, when I do, I love to spend it doing something outside or just relaxing.”
Supporting her along the way have been her family and coaches, all of whom have drawn out something special from within her.
“My parents encourage me to strive for my goals, whether it’s sports or school related. They come to almost all of my games to cheer me on,” Rose said. “My coaches have shaped the kind of player I am.
“I have never had a coach that didn’t improve my skills as an athlete.”
Coupeville Sports 
Last year the girls went over after the season and played in the Mnt Vernon Tulip Tourney. Most of the girls had only played one year of organized ball that being their 7th grade MS season. We definately were outmatched skill wise but the girls really played hard and never quit. For our last game against Friday Harbor we ended up losing both Mia and Kalia to a soccer tourney and went into the game short handed to say the least. Lauren must have decided it was her time. She came out firing with that sweet jump shot and drained 14 points in a much closer game than our first couple. She ended up with the high game for the tourney and it looks like she is continuing where she left off last year. Great kid to be around!