Coupeville Sports

Tucker Hall swooped in for eight points Tuesday as Coupeville’s JV battled at South Whidbey. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It was a barn-burner for three quarters.

Unfortunately, high school basketball games run four quarters, and a shooting drought at the end Tuesday killed the Coupeville JV boys.

After battling to a 34-34 tie at South Whidbey, the Wolves couldn’t hit a single field goal over the game’s final eight minutes, eventually falling 52-38 to their Island rivals.

The loss drops the CHS young guns to 2-7 in North Sound Conference play, 6-10 overall, heading into their season finale Friday at Granite Falls.

Facing off with the Falcons Tuesday, Coupeville hung tough for 24 minutes.

Trailing 7-6 after one quarter, the Wolves rallied behind Xavier Murdy to claim a 21-19 lead at the half, before settling for the tie entering the fourth.

It was then that their shooting touch evaporated, as, other than four free throws from the hard-charging Tucker Hall, they couldn’t buy a score.

South Whidbey closed efficiently, racking up six field goals and six free throws of its own to end on an 18-4 surge.

“Great game until the fourth,” said Coupeville coach Chris Smith, before turning his attention to the next challenge.

Murdy paced the Wolves with a team-high 11 points, pouring in seven of those during the second quarter, while Hall knocked down eight and Cody Roberts slipped seven through the nets.

Daniel Olson and Grady Rickner rounded out the Wolf offense, banking in six points apiece, while Sage Downes, TJ Rickner, and Logan Martin also saw floor time.