Coupeville Sports

   Lauren Rose, seen here playing defense, was all about the offense Saturday, scorching the nets for a career-high 17 in a win. (Sylvia Hurlburt photo)

Lauren Rose doesn’t have time to bleed.

The Wolf spark-plug, a woman of many nicknames (“Mouse,” “Keebler Elf”) and much talent, bounced right back from a recent injury and spent much of Saturday inflicting pain on others.

Raining down a career-high 17, the super sophomore lifted the Coupeville High School JV girls’ hoops squad to a thrilling 34-32 win over visiting Mount Vernon Christian.

The win, the second in the last three games for the young Wolves, lifted them to 4-6 heading into a nine-day break.

That will give Rose a chance to heal up, though hopefully not cool down.

“Lauren made a statement tonight with her game,” said CHS coach Amy King. “Still playing with a wrapped ankle, she led the team — directing on offense, finding open lanes to drive through, as well as hitting a much-needed three.

“She just seemed to be everywhere, stealing, driving, cutting and taking shots when open. Lauren really did a nice job of leading the team,” she added. “This is her best game this season. You could see her confidence growing and it was so nice watching her take over the game.”

Rose got a fair amount of help, with freshman Sarah Wright providing the defensive muscle to complement the offense.

She hauled down a game-high 11 rebounds, rejected a shot and sparked her teammates all night.

“It seemed like Sarah was everywhere all game long,” King said. “She is very strong with the ball, rebounding, dribbling up the floor and driving to the basket.

“On inbound plays under our basket, she is seeing the defense and placing herself in the perfect position for an easy pass and shot.”

With Wright’s energy and Rose’s hot hand leading the way, Coupeville held the lead from start to finish, stretching it out to nine at one point before a late Hurricane rally.

The fourth quarter went back and forth, with the Wolves refusing to relinquish the game.

Back within a bucket with 27 seconds left on the clock, Mount Vernon opted not to foul and try for a steal instead, but Rose played smartly and flawlessly dribbled out the game.

“I think overall, this is the strongest our team has looked for the majority of the game,” King said. “Everyone did something great.

“We had several give-and-go plays that resulted in either a lay up, short jumper or foul,” she added. “The big thing that makes me so happy, is that these girls are starting to recognize gaps in the defense or creating a play or shot out of something we have gone over in practice.”

When Rose wasn’t draining buckets, the Wolves got scoring from five different players, led by Wright with eight.

Ema Smith banged home four, while Nicole Lester (2), Skyler Lawrence (2) and Allison Wenzel (1) all chipped in.

It was Lester’s first basket of the season, and the freshman scored off of a put-back on a rebound, causing “the gym to erupt.”

Wenzel (5) and Lawrence (4) combined to snag nine rebounds, while Lindsey Laxton (3), Smith (3), Ashlie Shank (2), Lester (2) and Maddy Hilkey (1) all worked the boards.

Rose made off with four steals, Brittany Powers pilfered another pair and Brisa Herrera “asserted herself on defense with a really strong grip; nobody was going to take it (the ball).”