
The brain trust behind CMS girls basketball is (l to r) Kassie O’Neil, Kristina Forbes, Brooklyn Thayer, and Mandi Black. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Onwards and upwards.
The Coupeville Middle School girls basketball players continue to stand in the middle of the ring, dropping haymakers, even when facing rivals with much-more experience and floor time.
Tuesday brought Lakewood — which sends its players on to a 2A high school — to town for another rugged test for the Wolves.
How the day played out:
Varsity:
“The girls continue to fight, get better, and focus on having fun while doing it.”
While Coupeville fell 41-6 to Lakewood, CMS coach Kassie O’Neil was appreciative of the effort she sees each time out.
“Haylee (Armstrong), Brynn (Parker), Tenley (Stuurmans), Marin (Winger), and Liza (Zustiak) kept up their hustle all the way through,” she said.
“We know we aren’t the winningest team, but I think we’ll definitely be the most improved.”
Coupeville is scrambling to play catch-up with many of the off-Island hoops programs, which benefit from inheriting players who have already fine-tuned their skill-set.
“For most the girls on our team having only five weeks of basketball under their belts, I’m proud of how they go against girls who play year-round, for probably years until now,” O’Neil said.
“We have been outmatched in skill, but not in desire to play.”
Kierra Thayer, Armstrong, and Stuurmans each went for a bucket to account for Coupeville’s scoring.
JV:
“I couldn’t be more proud of my girls!!!,” said Wolf coach Kristina Forbes.
Coupeville’s second unit delivered its best offensive performance of the season, outscoring Lakewood in the second half during a 29-11 loss.
The Wolves set and reached two goals in this game, breaking their own “five-point scoring curse” and holding the visitors to under 30.
“My girls were excited to meet their goals for the game,” Forbes said. “My girls definitely have the drive to play hard.
“My girls are seeing just how important free throws are, with Ava Carpenter sinking her last two at the line!” she added.
“All of my girls hustled and let Lakewood know they weren’t about to mess around this time!”
Adeline Maynes tossed in a career-best five points to spark the Wolf offense, with Carpenter, Melanie Wolfe, and Rhylin Price each adding two points.
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