Coupeville Sports

The Wolves prepare to pounce. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

They got the gang back together.

A game after loaning out Haylee Armstrong and Bryley Gilbert to help Orcas Island field a full team, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball team was back at full force Friday night.

And with 11 players in uniform, the very-young Wolves, who have six 8th graders on the roster, gave host Friday Harbor a serious run for its money.

Getting stronger and stronger as the game unfolded, the CHS hardwood warriors almost caught their rival at the end before falling 36-32.

The loss leaves Coupeville at 0-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 1-3 overall heading into a home game Saturday against South Whidbey.

With the Falcons unable to field full boys’ teams for this weekend, the JV girls get to play in the main gym at 5:15 PM, with the varsity following at 7:00.

The 50th anniversary of the Wolf hoops program will be celebrated at halftime of the varsity game.

Kassie O’Neil’s JV players, many of whom will one day play at the upper level, hung tough during a low-scoring first quarter Friday, heading to the break down just 6-4.

While a bump in the second frame stretched the deficit out to 18-9, the Wolves hacked away at the lead after halftime.

Coupeville trimmed the margin down to 24-17 through three quarters, then went off for almost half of their points while winning the fourth 15-12.

Armstrong paced the Wolves, ringing up eight of her team-high 14 points in the final minutes, while Taylor Marrs and Gilbert each chipped in with four.

Tenley Stuurmans (3), Adie Maynes (3), Lexis Drake (2), and Brynn Parker (2) also tallied points, with Capri Anter, Ava Lucero, Chelsi Stevens, and Ari Cunningham rounding out the rotation.