Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Girls Basketball’ Category

Girls’ hoops guru steps down

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged , , , , on June 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Megan Richter has stepped down as CHS varsity girls’ basketball coach. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Family is calling.

After taking a season off for maternity leave, Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball coach Megan Richter has decided to step away from the hardwood for good.

For now, at least.

Richter, who has led the CHS program since 2021, left open the option of returning to full-time coaching in the future.

But for now, working full-time as a teacher, joining with husband Bennett to raise two rambunctious young kids, and trying to finish her master’s is a lot, and something had to give at the moment.

“It’s been a pretty hard decision to make and I’m pretty sad leaving,” Richter said. “But I know it’s what’s best for me and my family.”

Richter sent a letter to players and parents Monday, detailing her thought process.

This decision has been incredibly difficult because I have truly loved being a part of this program.

From building the program to working alongside so many dedicated athletes, families, and coaches, these years have been some of the most rewarding of my life.

Watching our players grow as athletes, teammates, leaders, and young women has been a privilege that I will never take for granted.

I want to sincerely thank all of the families, players, assistant coaches, our athletic director, and the community for the support you have given me and this program.

Everything we accomplished was the result of countless people investing their time, energy, and belief into Wolf basketball.

At this point in my life, I feel called to spend more time with my family and be more present with them.

While I am stepping away from the high school program, I will continue to stay involved through CYBA and remain committed to supporting the growth of basketball in our community.

I don’t see this as the end of my coaching journey — just a pause for now. Basketball has given me far too much for me to walk away from it completely.

Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your lives and your daughters’ journeys. 

The relationships and memories made through this program will stay with me forever.

I am incredibly proud of what we built together and excited to watch the program continue to grow and thrive.

Richter, a three-time CHS Female Athlete of the Year winner, is the #4 scorer in Wolf girls’ basketball history, pouring in 1,042 points while playing between 2006-2010.

After working as a middle school and high school JV coach, she replaced Scott Fox as varsity coach when he stepped down in 2021.

That allowed Richter to follow in the footsteps of her parents, Willie and Cherie Smith, who led the CHS girls’ hoops program from 1994-2000.

Read Full Post »

Stellar start, fantastic future

Posted in Girls Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, tagged , , , , , on June 20, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Cami Van Dyke, off to kick butt and take names. (Julie Wheat photo)

She was made for the spotlight.

From a young age, Cami Van Dyke has often played above her age group, showcasing the same skill and inner drive that big sis Sydney brings to all her sports.

Given the chance to breakout this year as an 8th grader, Cami took advantage, finishing second in scoring for the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball team, before putting together a stellar year as the starting shortstop for the Wolf varsity softball team.

Starting from day #1, the second of Grant and Colleen’s four children was a force to reckon with on the diamond, spraying hits to all fields while gunning down runners from deep in the hole with laser-like throws.

Cami was a Second Team All-League pick and the CHS Rookie of the Year, helping fuel a run in which the Wolves finished 19-4, won league and district titles, and played three games at the 2B state tourney.

She whacked the ball at a .483 clip in her debut performance, piling up 28 hits, 26 runs, 11 walks, 14 stolen bases, and 23 RBI while forming an impenetrable defensive wall on the left side of the infield with Sydney, who plays third base for the Wolves.

All before officially reaching high school as a student, which will happen this fall, when Cami begins her freshman year.

Van Dyke, who was also a strong middle school volleyball player, stalking the floor in pursuit of balls while providing leadership to her squad, wants to keep the good times rolling across the next four years.

“My goals for my high school sports career are to improve my skill level, become a stronger teammate, work hard in practices and games, while also continuing to grow as an athlete while helping my team succeed,” she said.

Van Dyke uses her Jedi mind skills to freeze the basketball in midair. (Teagan Calkins photo)

While still young, Van Dyke has a pretty clear-eyed view of her best traits and areas she’d like to improve.

“My strengths are being athletic, having strong hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and working well with a team,” she said.

“Playing sports has helped me become a well-rounded athlete who can adapt to different challenges and use a variety of skills.

“Areas I can improve on include increasing my speed and strength, building confidence, and becoming more consistent in my performance.”

Away from sports Van Dyke likes “spending time with my friends, listening to music, and staying active,” while hailing PE and science as her favorite classes, with the latter being because she “enjoys learning how things work.”

While she’s deeply committed to whichever sport is in season, softball is her favorite, she admits.

“It’s mainly because of the positive environment around me and because I have been playing it my whole life,” Van Dyke said. “Also I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

“What I enjoy most about being an athlete is the opportunity to compete against other teams, stay active, and continue improving my skills.

“I also enjoy being part of a team and spending time with people who share the same passion and love for sports as I do.”

As she continues to grow as an athlete and student, Van Dyke will continue to look towards her mentors for guidance.

“My family and coaches have had a big impact on me by always supporting and encouraging me to work harder every day and never give up when times get hard,” she said.

“They have taught me the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and having a positive attitude.

“Their guidance and belief in me have helped shape me into the person and athlete I am today.”

Van Dyke and Emma Cushman kicked off their varsity softball run with a trip to state. (Grant Van Dyke photo)

Read Full Post »

Young, talented, and ready to take over the world

Posted in auto sports, Girls Basketball, Girls Soccer, taekwondo, tagged , , , , , on June 18, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Finley Helm, rockin’ a letterman jacket as she prepares to start her high school career. (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)

Not a day in high school yet, and already Finley Helm is starting to fill up a letterman’s jacket.

The oldest of Jerry and Lindsey’s three talented children, she’ll be a freshman at Coupeville High School this fall yet already has her first varsity letter thanks to playing soccer as an 8th grader.

Helping the Wolves revive their female pitch crew after a two-year shutdown, Finley played multiple positions and was one of eight girls to net a goal last fall.

She also spent a fair amount of time in net, daring other teams to shoot on her, then frequently denying their best efforts.

Soccer is her favorite sport — the super-busy teen also plays basketball, volleyball, and track and field, while competing in taekwondo and race car driving — because it lets her show multiple sides of her personality.

“While playing goalie I get to throw my body around to dominate, and when I play forward, I get to score goals,” Helm said.

“You will not score on me!!”

The daughter of athletes, she’s inherited their drive and work ethic, but is her own person.

And don’t mess with that confident young woman, as evidenced by this direct quote:

“I’m very competitive, so I love the competition … Don’t test me, David Svien.”

During her middle school days, Helm also played basketball at both levels, suiting up with the high school JV, then bouncing back to CMS for a second season.

Away from sports she “love painting and art a lot,” enjoys history class, and spends some of her free time listening to pop and rap or watching horror movies and romantic comedies.

Not that there’s much time “away from sports,” as Helm has embraced every challenge thrown her way.

Along with the traditional school sports, she followed her mom into taekwondo and has racked up multiple awards for her work on the mat.

And then there’s the world of auto racing, where Finley and lil’ sis Scotlyn rip up the track in Washington Quarter Midget Association races.

She takes something from every one of her pursuits, building an impressive body of work.

“As an athlete, my strength is being comfortable with being physical,” Helm said. “Taekwondo has taught me how to battle physically.

“An area I’d like to work on is communication with the defense while I’m playing keeper,” she added.

“And to get better at the sports I enjoy and branch into other sports I’ve never played before.”

Through it all Helm battles for the team name on the front of the jersey, while always acknowledging that the family name on the back has helped shape her pursuit of excellence.

“There are a lot of people who I could name,” she said. “But most notably my parents, from coaching me in sports, to teaching me how to fight.”

Gazing into a bright future.

Read Full Post »

Joltin’ Jada a joy juggernaut

Posted in Girls Basketball, Hall o' Fame, Softball, Volleyball, tagged , , , , on June 10, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Jada Heaton, one of the most-joyful athletes to ever wear a Wolf uniform. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Joy, absolute unbridled joy.

There have been Coupeville athletes who seemed happy to be playing, whether on a field or a court, but few have exuded the consistent level of bliss that Jada Heaton brought to everything she did.

That positivity, through every game, every at-bat, every sideline interaction, made her a valuable linchpin to very-successful Wolf volleyball, basketball, and softball squads.

Ready to tear up the softball diamond with running mate Mia Farris. (Jennifer Heaton photo)

Jada, who graduated from CHS in 2025, was part of what always seemed to be an especially tight-knit group of young women, a band of sisters from other misters who played together from when they were pee-wees to their final Senior Night moments.

That group went to state in multiple sports, earning league titles and both team and individual honors along the way.

Maybe more importantly, however, they genuinely seemed to like each other, taking delight in both their own praise-worthy accomplishments, but also in the achievements of their teammates.

A lot of that, in my opinion, seemed to spring from the bright, beating heart of joy at the center, one Jada Rose Heaton, whose positiveness never seemed to wane, win or loss.

Up to shenanigans. (Bailey Thule photo)

During her athletic career there were moments where she was a key contributor, stepping up and seizing the spotlight, and others where she was the perfect supporting crew.

A rebounder and a scrapper and a hustler on the hardwood, she lit up Orting one Saturday afternoon in front of her hometown fans.

Coupeville had lost a key league game to Friday Harbor just hours before, ending any playoff dreams for the Wolves, who needed a spark.

Enter Joltin’ Jada, who suddenly became a rampaging offensive dynamo in the game’s final moments.

Kickin’ butt and takin’ names. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Demanding the ball (well, OK, politely asking for it…), she scored on three consecutive trips down the floor in the fourth quarter to ice the victory, the bounce in her step getting bigger after every play.

First Jada took a lob from Katie Marti, slapping the ball off the glass for a quick bucket.

Then, wham, bam, thank you ma’am, she scored on a power move down low, muscling her way through a mass of players trying to viciously elbow and knee her tender regions.

Capping things, Jada elevated to snatch an offensive board — as she so often did — before using a quick dip to get past a defender for the put-back.

There were other spotlight reel moments as well, especially on the softball diamond, where she lashed extra-base hits and mentally scarred Darrington pitchers for the next three generations.

Or when Jada made this game-saving catch during her little league days, captured in one of my all-time favorite images from 14 years of doing this blog.

“And just where do you think you’re going, Mr. Softball? Get in my glove!!” (Jackie Saia photo)

When she got magical, she celebrated with all her heart.

But, and this is huge, when her teammates, her lifelong friends, her compadres, got magical as well, Jada celebrated even harder.

Her kindness shone through in the toughest of moments.

Her inner strength and resilience amazed when she ripped a nasty foul ball off her own chin at the state softball tourney, then tried to stay in the game even with a chipped tooth and badly swollen jaw.

And that joy?

It washed over every teammate she ever had, and it was the secret super glue which bound together one of the most-successful band of sisters to ever grace the Coupeville sports scene.

The smiling assassin. (Corinn Parker photo)

Jada is a good athlete and a great human being, and she was an absolute joy to write about.

Diploma in hand, she went off to find new challenges and impress new people, and I hope all of her dreams come true.

In this moment, though, we want to take Jada back for a second to her school days and make sure she knows how highly she is regarded.

Today we swing open the doors to the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame and induct a smart, graceful, kind, and joy-filled young woman who made even the stormiest of prairie days seem sunnier.

After this, Miss Heaton will reside in the Legends section at the top of the blog, never forgotten and always remembered, her joyful presence absolutely guaranteed to light the joint up.

She does like to celebrate. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Read Full Post »

Girls’ basketball camp explodes in July

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged , , , , on May 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Ignite your game.

Coupeville High School and Middle School girls’ basketball coaches will host a skills camp July 1-3 for players entering grades 6-9 in the fall.

All the pertinent details can be found in the photo above, and questions can be directed to CHS head coach Megan Richter at mrichter@coupeville.k12.wa.us.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »