Coupeville Sports

Bob Barker, hard at work. (Photo courtesy Sherry Roberts)

Bob Barker spent 31+ years at Coupeville High School, working as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director, affecting countless lives over the years.

A 1959 grad of what would become Western Washington University, he led baseball and basketball (both boys and girls) teams at CHS, taking three to state.

Hailed by his former players as “the best coach I ever had” and “one of the three or four people who shaped who I am today,” his impact lingers long after his retirement.

In this series, Barker responds to my questions as only he can, eloquently and passionately.

Today’s question:

“Was the 1969-1970 CHS boys’ team the best basketball team in school history?”

David,

Let me set the scene a little.

The schools in the Northwest B League were members of what was I believed called a tri-district (B schools in Snohomish, Skagit and Island county.)

Based on the total enrollment of the schools this district rated a total greater than 1 but less than 1.5. I am not sure, but lets say 1.3.

This meant that we rated more than one team in the state tournament but not enough for two teams. 

There must have been other districts in the state with the same problem, hence we would get one team one year and two teams the next and so on.

Coupeville had for many years been a strong basketball school.

One thing I noticed when I came in the spring of 1959 was there was a number of outside baskets and these were always busy before school and at lunch.

Football and baseball were just something to do until basketball season rolled around.

COACH            YEAR           TOURNAMENT PLACE
Sanman           56-57                   3rd
Boushey          57-58                   3rd
Boushey          58-59                   2nd
Boushey          59-60                   2nd
Boushey          60-61                   3rd
Boushey          61-62                   3rd
Boushey          62-63                   3rd
Boushey          63-64                   3rd
Boushey          64-65                   4th
Barker              65-66                   2nd

So you can see that some of those years where there were two teams we finished 3rd and at least two years where there was one team we finished 2nd. 

It was very frustrating.

1970 was the year that Coupeville finally broke the jinx by winning the district tournament.

In 1970 we opened the season with 12 victories and were 12-0. 

In January, when the polls opened, Coupeville was rated #1 in the state in its division and Jeff Stone led the scoring for all high school players in the state.

Now a small town such as Coupeville takes great pride in their school activities.

The school district put up a special levy in February and due to the pride in our basketball team the levy passed with well over 80%, which was really unheard of.

When we won the District tournament we became the first Whidbey Island school to gain a state berth.

Now to the question, was this the best Coupeville team in history.

I am not sure that I can say that as I had a great team in 1972, but this team due to some unfortunate circumstances did not make it to state. 

In 1971 -72 the Cascade A League had lost a couple of members, hence invited La Conner and Coupeville to join their league. 

If we had joined them and declared to play up we would have had to place in the top four in the league and then go to the A tournament in Mount Vernon and compete with perennial state powers like Lynden, Lynden Christian, Mount Baker, etc. 

We agreed to come in but would go back into the B tournament at the conclusion of the season.

The members of the Cascade thought this would be alright as they could use us as cannon fodder and complete their schedules.

The problem arose that Coupeville won the Cascade League that year and La Conner placed third.

This provoked the Cascade members as they were then sending their 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th place teams to compete with the powerful teams to the North.

It also pissed off the rest of the Northwest B League teams, so they set up the tournament in such a way to extract some revenge by putting Coupeville and La Conner in the same bracket.

The Northwest B League was now sending two teams to state every year.

It should have been La Conner and Coupeville meeting in the final game and both teams going to state.

Being the lower-rated team La Conner played some team in the first round and beat them.

We, having the better record had been seeded and met La Conner.

Now ask any coach would he like to play or be seeded as that first night the kids get rid of their jitters and stage fright, which every team has.

Unfortunately we were defeated by a good La Conner team that was more relaxed than we were.

In my estimation winning the Cascade A League title in 1972 was a greater achievement than winning the district tournament in 1970, however, not as exciting as taking the first Coupeville team to state.

At that time the Cascade League contained a powerful Lakeside team, a talented King’s team, Granite Falls, Langley, Sultan and Tolt as well as La Conner.

We ended up winning the league with a record of 14-2.

One loss was to Lakeside and one to La Conner.  I believe that our season record going into the tournament was 18-2.

I probably have given you more information that you wanted but when I get started babbling it is hard to stop.

Bob Barker