Skylar Parker, seen last spring, is part of a hard-playing Coupeville SWISH basketball squad. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Weather the storm, build for the future.
Playing without its starting point guard, the Coupeville 7th/8th grade SWISH girls basketball team faced tough competition Saturday, but held up well.
The Wolves dropped a close one to “a very good Monroe team,” falling 30-25, before tiredness became a factor in a 22-10 loss to Mount Vernon.
While the losses leave Coupeville at 0-4 on the season, coach Fred Farris remains impressed by how his young, very-inexperienced team continues to show growth.
“The girls played their tails off,” he said. “It’s remarkable how far these girls have come in such a short time, especially considering all but four of the girls have essentially no experience.
“Couldn’t be prouder of their effort.”
The Wolves were without Lauren Marrs, their primary ball handler and a potent scorer, who is battling through a back injury.
Even without her talent as a distributor, Coupeville battled back from 10 down against Monroe to pull within 26-25.
Savina Wells, who paced the Wolves in scoring in both contests Saturday, had “a good look rim out” with two minutes to play, while a follow up put-back from Jada Heaton refused to stay in the bucket, going in, then popping back out.
Without Marrs in the lineup, “Mia (Farris) and Lyla (Stuurmans) were thrust into ball-handling duties and did an admirable job.”
Fred Farris also praised Madison McMillan, who “was everywhere, on the boards and on defense, and scored two big baskets during the comeback.”
“Savina was her usual reliable self,” he added. “It felt like she had 2000 rebounds in the two games and really took charge when we needed her to.”
Coupeville had to bounce right back after its narrow opening loss, playing Mount Vernon less than 10 minutes after the first game ended.
“The girls were clearly gassed and Mount Vernon’s “packed in” 2-3 zone made it tough for us to get to the basket and we struggled to hit outside shots,” Fred Farris said.
“The refs let the game get too physical on both sides, and that, with a very slippery La Venture Middle School gym floor made for a very chippy second half.”
Wells paced the Wolves, dropping 12 points in the opener and another seven in the nightcap, while Brionna Blouin went for five and three.
McMillan (4), Stuurmans (3), and Mia Farris (1) also scored against Monroe.
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