Coupeville Sports

Coupeville’s Makana Stone is 6-2 as a pro basketball player, 2-0 as a starter. (Photo property Leicester Riders) 

It was the right decision.

The Leicester Riders inserted Coupeville grad Makana Stone into the starting lineup two games ago, and the team hasn’t lost since.

The latest victory was of the blowout variety, as Leicester overcame a slow start Saturday to annihilate the Caledonia Pride 83-54.

With the win, the Riders improve to 3-2 and move into sole possession of fifth-place in the 13-team Women’s British Basketball League.

Leicester is 6-2 overall, counting a 3-0 run in the WBBL Cup to open the season.

Stone had a somewhat-quiet afternoon, tossing in four points, snagging three rebounds, and making off with a steal.

But the newest addition to the team didn’t need to be front and center, as four of her teammates went off for double-digits scoring.

Oceana Hamilton led the way with 18 points, while Louise Rouse (17), Hannah Robb (16), and Anna Lappenkuper (15) all had a hot shooting touch.

Caledonia actually jumped out to a 23-17 lead after one quarter, but then Leicester dropped the hammer, repeatedly.

The Riders used 26-6 and 22-6 runs in the second and third frame, respectively, to put the game on ice.

Through her first eight games as a professional hoops player, Stone has tallied 55 points, 51 rebounds, 11 assists, and six steals.

Leicester returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 6 when it faces off with the Oaklands Wolves, who sit at 1-3 in WBBL regular-season play.