Sharpshooter Kennedy O’Neill informs big bro Aiden she plans to score more points on the basketball court than he does. (Photo courtesy Ashley Blouin)
First road trip, in the books.
The Coupeville Middle School girls’ basketball teams kicked off a new season Thursday, making the trek down-Island to face off with arch-rival South Whidbey.
The Wolves came away with a split, plus their first taste of life in other people’s gyms, while CMS coaches Mia Littlejohn and Bennett Richter debuted as hardwood gurus.
How the day played out:
Level 1:
Coupeville 8th grader Haylee Armstrong led all scorers, but South Whidbey pulled away in the second half to claim a 31-19 win.
The hosts jumped out to an 8-3 advantage after one quarter, then slightly bumped the lead ahead to 14-8 at the half.
The third quarter was a killer for Coupeville, however, as South Whidbey gunner Greta Jones knocked down all seven of her points, including a three-ball, during a game-busting 11-4 run.
Jada Balora banked in six points in support of Jones, while Armstrong rattled the rims for nine points.
The sweet-shooting guard tallied points in every quarter and proved to be a deadeye at the free-throw line, where she sank three charity shots.
Capri Anter tossed in five points in support of Armstrong, with Tenley Stuurmans (3) and 6th grader Tamsin Ward (2) also scoring for the Wolves.
Adeline Maynes, Lexis Drake, Sydney Van Dyke, Chelsi Stevens, and Rhylin Price all saw floor time for Coupeville’s top squad.
Chelsi Stevens, a powerhouse on the taekwondo mat and the basketball hardwood. (Photo courtesy Kristi Stevens)
Level 2:
She who scores last, wins the day.
Coupeville went scoreless in the first quarter, fell behind 6-0 midway through the second frame, then stormed from behind to capture an 18-14 victory.
In a back-and-forth affair, the Wolves led 8-6 at halftime, South Whidbey went back in front 14-10 through three quarters, and then the visitors closed on an 8-0 fourth quarter surge.
Lillian Ketterling had the hot hand down the stretch, knocking down a pair of buckets to fuel the late rally, while Kennedy O’Neill and Ava Lucero also netted baskets in crunch time.
Arianna Cunningham paced the Wolves with six points, while O’Neill (4), Ketterling (4), Taylor Marrs (2), and Lucero (2) also wrote their name in the scorebook on opening day.
While they didn’t score, Isabella Bowder, Amaiya Curry, Isabella De Souza Oliveira McFetridge, and Melanie Wolfe brought hustle and defense to their time on the floor.
Up next:
Coupeville has a week off, traveling to Sultan next Thursday, Feb. 16 to play Sultan.
The home opener is Feb. 21 against Northshore Christian Academy, and the Wolves get a rematch with South Whidbey — this time at CMS — in the Mar. 9 season finale.
Coupeville Sports 
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