Coupeville Sports

Breeanna Messner (left) and Amanda Fabrizi bring their day-glo shoes back to the basketball court one final time. (Robert Bishop photos)

Runnin’ and gunnin’.

CHS coach David King tapes Messner’s ankle before the game. (Amy King photos)

The pride of CHS.

Just when they thought they were out, they got pulled back in.

Coupeville High School seniors Breeanna Messner and Amanda Fabrizi put the basketball gear back on one more time Saturday, playing in the 14th annual Skagit Valley High School “SENIOR” Basketball Games.

Sponsored by the Skagit County Parks and Rec Department, the event drew players from schools including Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Sedro Woolley, Stanwood, Arlington, Lakewood, Oak Harbor and Mount Vernon Christian.

Family and friends were in the stands, and Coupeville hoops coaches David and Amy King, who coached both girls for many years, were first in line to see Messner and Fabrizi’s swan song.

“I would not miss them playing,” David King said. “Cleared this day and made sure nothing got scheduled.”

“What a fun game for Amanda and Bree to play in,” he added. “They both fit in well with the others players and represented themselves and Coupeville well.”

Playing together on the same squad, the Wolf duo went out winners, helping their team capture a fast-paced, high-scoring game.

Fabrizi scored her team’s first bucket, then banged home an offensive board moments later.

“One constant from Bree and Amanda, they played good defense like they have their high school careers,” King said. “Both went after loose balls and dove for them when the need was there. They deflected passes and got some steals.

“It was great to see them attacking the boards both offensively and defensively.”

The two Wolves closed the game together on the floor, playing the final five minutes along side their long-time running mate.

For their coaches, it was a bittersweet, beautiful end.

“Sitting in the stands watching these two playing with and against other senior all-stars from the area is a proud moment for Amy and me,” King said. “It proves that if you put the work in, put the team first, great things will follow.

“It also proves the athletes from Coupeville can compete at the highest level,” he added. “These two have worked hard every year to make themselves the players they are. More importantly they are great role models and have bright futures.”

For Fabrizi, who went from freezing on the CHS bleachers in the morning as she watched younger brother Clay Reilly play in a Wolf JV baseball game, to pouring in jumpers under the gym lights at night, the day was a great cap to her hoops career.

“I really enjoyed playing in this game,” Fabrizi said. “It felt like I was playing in a college game!”