Kyle Rockwell brings an infusion of height to the Wolf boys’ basketball squad. (John Fisken photo)
Gabe Wynn (with ball) is one of two returning varsity players.
Another step up the mountain.
That’s what the Coupeville High School boys’ basketball squad wants to take this season.
The Wolves are coming off a 9-11 campaign, their best in the five years Anthony Smith has been at the helm of the program.
A year ago, they swept Klahowya in a three-game series, took a road game off of league champ Chimacum and finished third in 1A Olympic League play at 4-5.
Now Coupeville wants to continue to improve its numbers and get back into a winning groove.
“The goals are making the playoffs and getting the players to play for each other,” Smith said. “Also, for the players to want to get better every practice and be ready to compete every game, and good things will happen.”
The Wolves will be featuring almost a completely new roster thanks to graduation, returning only two varsity veterans.
Junior guard Hunter Smith and senior swing-man Gabe Wynn will anchor the squad, while the rest of the roster is expected to be filled out by guys jumping up from JV and new and semi-new additions.
Returnees include senior Brian Shank and juniors Ariah Bepler, Hunter Downes and Cameron Toomey-Stout, who “will contribute right away.”
Juniors Joey Lippo and Ethan Spark played JV as freshmen, then took last season off, and are back to bolster the team at guard.
Also in the mix are 6’3 junior Kyle Rockwell and two seniors who transferred in, Steven Cope and Taylor Consford.
However the rotation plays out, Coupeville will ask those players to put an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.
“The plus will be us playing hard nose d, and getting after it,” Anthony Smith said. “Wanting to have teams turn the ball over, and have fun doing it.
“We will have to work on taking care of the ball and putting the ball in the basket.”
Coupeville graduated nine of the 11 players who scored a season ago, including its top three scorers in Wiley Hesselgrave, Jordan Ford and Risen Johnson.
Hunter Smith, who banged in 130 points while missing time with injuries, and Wynn (84) were #4 and #5 on the scoring chart last year.
The dynamic duo, and their new running mates, will be aiming to take down Chimacum and Port Townsend, who tied for the league’s best mark at 7-2. The Cowboys won two of three over the RedHawks to defend their title.
For now, though, the focus is firmly an internal one. Make yourself better, and then go out and beat your rivals.
“The first week of practice was good,” Anthony Smith said. “This team will work hard, and if guys accept and play their roles, which I think they will, we will be OK.”
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