Coupeville Sports

Hunter Bronec, seen in pre-pandemic times, scored a team-high 10 points Saturday. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“You showed grit and that’s what it took to win.”

As the Coupeville SWISH boys basketball team celebrated another win Saturday, that was the message coach Sean O’Neill delivered to his players.

And it was a message which resonated in the afterglow of a 27-25 victory over Sedro Woolley, a triumph clinched when Aiden O’Neill drained two free throws in the final moments.

Saturday, the Wolves opened slowly, but recovered with plenty of time left to play.

Overcoming “a horrific first eight minutes in which we couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn or play defense, we cleared our heads,” said Jon Roberts.

Twin terrors Hunter and Hurlee Bronec dominated in the paint, and Jack Porter drilled “a nice eight-footer” as Coupeville rallied to take a 15-14 lead into the halftime break.

Things weren’t going to be easy, however, as Sedro came out on fire to start the second, going off on a 6-0 tear.

Chase Anderson netted a three-ball for the Wolves to start the second comeback, then Coupeville clamped down on defense behind the spirited work of Landon Roberts.

Hunter Bronec paced his squad with a team-high 10 points, while Hurlee Bronec (6), Anderson (5), O’Neill (3), Jack Porter (2), and Johnny Porter (1) also scored.

Camden Glover and Landon Roberts round out the Coupeville roster, which is now 5-1 on the season heading into a bye week.