Malachi Somes crashes to the hoop. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
The hunt begins again.
Coupeville High School boys’ basketball kicks off its 109th season — and ninth under current coach Brad Sherman — with a home game Tuesday night against next-door neighbor South Whidbey.
That clash, set for a 7:00 tip, is a non-conference affair, and is the beginning of a four-game homestand for the Wolves, as they seek their third trip to the state tourney in the last five years.
CHS fell short of advancing to the big dance last year, after punching its ticket in 2022 and 2024, but hope burns eternal.
“We always have the goal of competing at the top of our league and district and earning one of the allocations to state out of our bi-district in February,” Sherman said.
“That opportunity is something we are all going to work hard for over the next few months.”
While the Wolves lost a pack of quality seniors to graduation, they return five of the 11 players who scored last season, including senior guard Chase Anderson, who topped the team with 339 points.
The First-Team All-Conference selection is a “dynamic athlete who does a lot for us,” Sherman said.
Anderson will have help, with fellow seniors Camden Glover (115 points as a junior) and Malachi Somes also back, plus the welcome addition of senior Aiden O’Neill, who played varsity as a sophomore before missing his junior campaign due to an injury.
The trio has impressed their coach, who remains the #9 scorer in program history.
“Aiden is a strong shooter,” Sherman said. “Love his quiet leadership and presence on our team.
“With Cam, he’s really tough around the rim, (but) can (also) step out and hit from the outside,” he added.
“Malachi came on strong last year as one of our best defenders and put in a lot of work this off-season.”
Aiden O’Neill (left) and Camden Glover are aiming for strong senior seasons.
Rounding out the roster will be a promising group of guys, including two — junior Davin Houston and senior Easton Green — who scored their first varsity points as swing players last season.
They’ll be joined by Mahkai Myles, Liam Blas, Sage Arends, and Riley Lawless, who all make the jump from JV.
“We are excited about what each guy brings to the table,” Sherman said.
With the core 10 set, depth will be added by using some swing players as the season progresses. Whichever unit is on the floor, Wolf coaches will go into action with a good deal of confidence.
“It’s a great group of guys that knows how to work,” Sherman said. “It’s also a group that’s grown up together, and they know how to have fun together away from the basketball court. That’s important.
“I think the toughness and the tenacity they play with is one of the things that really sets them apart and we’re excited to see them get after it.”
Brad Sherman will likely live in the gym for the next several months.
As he and his assistants have built their program into a consistent contender, Sherman has always preached approaching the game in the right way.
“First and foremost, we want to be a team that lives our pillars and values, serves our community well, and commits to a standard of excellence on and off the basketball court,” he said.
“That’s the ultimate goal.”
As in any season, the plan is to build as the games play out and finish strong.
“Basketball seasons require constant improvement,” Sherman said. “Lots of areas we need to keep focusing on each week.
“Our aim is to seek the small improvements, one day at a time, so that down the stretch we are playing our best basketball,” he added.
“We want to just keep growing as coaches and players, as leaders, as people, and giving it all we’ve got every time we step on the court.”
The seven-team Northwest 2B/1B League offers no easy games, and Coupeville has a diverse non-conference schedule which includes a two-game holiday trip to Eastern Washington.
Regardless of the name on the front of the opposing uniforms, Sherman wants his players to bring their A-game each night.
“We just need to be ready and prepared for every game, no matter who it is.”
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