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Volleyball is done, and Madison McMillan is off to play basketball. (Jackie Saia photo)

It’s all about the changes, as David Bowie would remind us.

As the Coupeville High School girls’ varsity basketball team prepares to take the floor Monday night for its opener in Mount Baker, things are different from a year ago.

For one thing, head coach Megan Richter, heading into her third season at the helm of a program she once starred for, is a new mom.

Daughter Adeline is still a few years away from burning down the nets like mom did, however, so, for now, Richter will look to a rock-solid group of juniors to carry a lot of the load.

With some help from the seniors and sophomores, that group needs to replace five now-graduated players who accounted for 78% of last season’s scoring.

While sure to miss her former players, Richter likes the group she has in place.

“We have a solid core group of kids returning this year to fill the shoes of the five seniors that left us last year,” she said.

“We, as coaches, have challenged and pushed these kids to step into roles they haven’t had to play before,” Richter added.

“With five open starting positions open for the taking, these girls stepped into the roles like they were made for them.”

Katie Marti points to the spot on the hardwood where she’s gonna plant your fanny. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The junior class is comprised of Mia Farris, Lyla Stuurmans, Jada Heaton, Katie Marti, and Madison McMillan, with Stuurmans the leading returning scorer.

Joining them will be seniors Skylar Parker, Reese Wilkinson, Desi Ramirez, and Kayla Arnold, with the latter three making their varsity debut.

Sophomores Brynn Parker and Teagan Calkins and senior Bryley Gilbert are also expected to see floor time.

Overall, it’s a group which has had success in other sports, with the juniors and Calkins part of a Wolf volleyball team which went to the state tourney this fall.

“This group has really taken on a leadership role and have been team focused,” Richter said.

“We changed our team rules this year to simple and to the point rules that help sharpen our focus on what really matters: protect our team, protect our hoop.”

The next generation of CHS stars is already in place as well, with “a hardworking group of freshman JV players that will be big for us in the future.”

Following in the footsteps of Stuurmans, who made her debut while still in middle school, seven current 8th graders are also making the jump to play with the high school program.

As the Wolves prepare for Northwest 2B/1B League play, a couple of teams stand out as potential heavyweights, though Richter cautions her team not to look past any foe.

“If you ask any of the girls, the goal is always to get to state and to take that league title from La Conner,” Richter said.

“Right now, our biggest roadblock will be Mount Vernon Christian,” she added. “They are going to be a force this season. We just have to play our game and come prepared.

“However, we can’t overlook anyone and will make sure that we work hard, play hard, and hopefully come out on top!”

To get to where it wants to be — in the playoffs and capable of making a run — Coupeville is working hard on intangibles such as defense and team unity.

“My number one goal is to be better than we were yesterday and to have fun on the court,” Richter said. “Basketball is a challenging sport but so rewarding at the same time!

“We are very defensive focused this year, so capitalizing on those turnovers we are going to create is a high priority of ours as well!

“The team’s chemistry on and off the court will be a big strength for us this year. Being able to trust one another and know that they will have each other’s back is something that we pride ourselves on.”

Offense sells tickets, but success starts with stellar play on the other end of the floor.

“Defensively we will be quick and aggressive and that will frazzle a lot of teams and force turnovers,” Richter said.

“We have a high energy team that works hard and wants to get better every day. That’s going to bode well for us!”

Teagan Calkins is ready to rock. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The young Wolves are being guided by a coach who still sits #4 on the all-time CHS girls’ basketball scoring list.

But while she had a ton of personal success thanks to hard work, Richter realizes each of her players brings something different to the group and wants to help each of them find their personal groove.

“The mental game of basketball is always something that we will constantly work on,” she said. “Making sure that we don’t underestimate our opponents or ourselves.

“Because this group is still learning to play in those main roles, they will have to be able to be okay with making mistakes and have a quick turn around when they do happen.

“We work weekly in the classroom on the mental game and how to deal with it. It helps provide tools for the girls and a safe place to let loose some steam that may be blocking their way to the next step.”

Win or lose, Richter and the Wolves will add another chapter to the story of a CHS girls’ program which will celebrate its 50th anniversary Dec. 16 during a home game with South Whidbey.

Giving her players an opportunity to craft memories for life is a big part of the job.

“It’s going to be a fun season!” Richter said. “Lots of building, learning, and adjusting by both the players and coaches, but a fun season nevertheless.”

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Lyla Stuurmans dreams of hoops action. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Put the ball in the bucket and live forever.

Well, at least in terms of your name forever being etched in the annuals of Coupeville High School basketball.

Over the past 49 seasons, there have been 241 Wolf girls who have tickled the twine, whether it was for one point or 1,549 of them.

Actually, that comes with an asterisk, as we still have yet to document who scored during that first season in 1974-1975.

Other than that, we’re pretty solid, minus a point here or a point there.

Heading into season #50, which comes complete with an anniversary celebration Dec. 16, our current active scoring leader is junior Lyla Stuurmans, who sits in 89th place.

After making her debut as an 8th grader, “The Franchise” has rung up 130 points across three seasons, and her numbers have gone up each season.

Coupeville has five other scorers slated to return this winter, and they’ve combined to tally 99 points during their time in a varsity uniform.

Skylar Parker (right) is one of six active Coupeville girls who have scored in a varsity basketball game.

With the first game set for Nov. 27 at Mount Baker, here’s a look at up-to-the-moment career scoring stats.

Active players are in bold type.

 

Brianne King – 1549
Zenovia Barron – 1270
Makana Stone – 1158
Megan Smith – 1042
Ann Pettit – 932
Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby – 892
Terry Perkins – 673
Lexie Black – 622
Kristan Hurlburt – 598
Tina Lyness – 594

Marlene Grasser – 574
Judy Marti – 545
Brittany Black – 502
Jen Canfield – 497
Erica Lamb – 497
Emily Vracin – 467
Tina Barker – 464
Vanessa Davis – 448
Lindsey Roberts – 448
Maureen Wetmore – 438

Sarah Powell – 425
Mika Hosek – 424
Cassidi Rosenkrance – 423
Maddie Georges – 407
Ashley Manker – 404
Shawna West – 388
Katie Smith – 374
Whitney Clark – 359
Amy Mouw – 353
Tracy Taylor – 350

Kailey Kellner – 339
Amanda Allmer – 331
Misty Sellgren – 331
Taniel Lamb – 330
Marie Grasser – 321
Mia Littlejohn – 317
Amanda Fabrizi – 299
Scout Smith – 290
Bessie Walstad – 288
Hailey Hammer – 282

Madeline Strasburg – 261
Carly Guillory – 260
Sarah Mouw – 259
Julie Wieringa – 252
Danette Beckley – 249
Chelsea Prescott – 249
Marlys West – 247
Kendra O’Keefe – 244
Breeanna Messner – 235
Hilary Kortuem – 231

Ema Smith – 228
Mikayla Elfrank – 227
Annette Jameson – 223
Beth Mouw – 216
Lisa Roehl – 216
Alita Blouin – 215
Audrianna Shaw – 212
Linda Cheshier – 210
Izzy Wells – 204
Pam Jampsa – 202

Julia Myers – 202
Kim Warder – 193
Kacie Kiel – 188
Stephanie Clapp – 185
Kassie Lawson – 184
Heather Davis – 182
Jaime Rasmussen – 181
Trudy Eaton – 180
Heidi Bepler – 179
Jodie Christensen – 174

Aimee Messner – 168
Danielle Vracin – 167
Sherry Bonacci – 165
Marie Hesselgrave – 165
Marilyn Brown – 164
Hayley Ebersole – 163
Yashmeen Knox – 163
Traci Perkins – 161
Suzette Glover – 159
Carolyn Lhamon – 153

Jai’Lysa Hoskins – 151
Jennifer Bailey – 150
Emily Young – 149
Vanessa Bodley – 146
Joli Smith – 142
Jennie Cross – 140
Savina Wells – 133
Taya Boonstra – 132
Lyla Stuurmans – 130
Sarah Burgoyne – 126

Christi Messner – 125
Kayla Lawson – 124
Avalon Renninger – 123
Gwen Gustafson – 122
Cheryl Dunn – 119
Ryanne Knoblich – 119
Hannah Davidson – 116
Jill Whitney – 116
Sarah Wright – 115
Laurie Estes – 114

Debbie Snyder – 113
Tiffany Briscoe – 111
Lauren Escalle – 109
Sally Biskovich – 108
Kara Harvey – 108
Kalia Littlejohn – 106
Kyla Briscoe – 104
Kelly Snyder – 104
Sue Wyatt – 100
Lupine Wutzke – 98

Monica Vidoni – 97
Christine Barr – 95
Lauren Grove – 95
Babette Owensby – 93
Toni Thiefault – 92
Jennifer Pettit – 85
Laura Young – 83
Marnie Bartelson – 81
Cheryl Pangburn – 79
Courtney Arnold – 78

Tonnalea Rasmussen – 78
Sharon Jolly – 75
Amanda Manker – 73
Beth Cavanaugh – 72
Wynter Thorne – 68
Rachelle Solomon – 64
Lindsey Sherwood – 61
Ann Kahler – 60
Ja’Kenya Hoskins – 59
Chelsea Rosenkrance – 59

Katie Marti – 58
Judy Wallace – 58
Rose Marti – 57
Jean Wyatt – 57
Jennifer Eelkema – 55
Christine Larson – 53
Courtney Boyd – 52
Kari Johnson – 52
Erin Ryan – 52
Anya Leavell – 51

Nicole Shelly – 50
Traci Barker – 49
Paige Mueller – 49
Stephanie Kipp – 48
Lynn Wilson – 47
Andilee Murphy – 46
Janiece Jenkins – 43
Meghan Metlow – 43
Tia Wurzrainer – 43
Jessy Caselden – 41

Karen Jampsa – 40
Jennifer Meyer – 40
Jill Keeney – 39
Suzanne Enders – 38
Mandi Murdy – 37
Shawn Diem – 35
Min Powell – 35
Abby Mulholland – 32
Lauren Rose – 32
Mia Farris – 31

Tammie Hardie – 31
Nezi Keiper – 29
Shannon Rutledge – 29
Taylor Sherman – 29
Anna Myhr – 28
Kirsty Croghan – 27
Lori Friswold – 27
Sarah Vass – 27
Tina Jansen – 26
Kim Stuurmans – 26

Kathy Jolly – 25
Shelby Kulz – 25
Kylie Van Velkinburgh – 25
Melissa Cox – 23
Haley Marx – 23
Lori Hart – 21
Allison Wenzel – 21
Courtney Williams – 21
Aleshia McFadyen – 20
Nancy Dyer – 18

Dina Lanphere – 18
McKenzie Bailey – 17
Carol Estes – 17
Kristina Clark – 16
Dawn Clampet – 15
Nicole Laxton – 15
Mollie Bailey – 14
Lindsey Tucker – 13
Jeannette Fixel – 12
Tammy Shubat – 12

Nikki Snyder – 12
Kelly Ankney – 11
Naomi Prater – 11
Michelle Riddle – 11
Emily Wodjenski – 11
Alyssa Kelley – 10
Zarah Leaman – 10
Toni Hudson – 9
Georgie Smith – 9
Cindy Bennett – 8

Susan Estes – 8
Ami Garthwaite – 8
Eileen Hanley – 8
Keri Iverson – 8
Kristine Macnab – 8
Michelle Smith – 8
Carlie Rosenkrance – 7
McKayla Bailey – 6
Lexi Boyer – 6
Rhiannon Ellsworth – 6

Debbie Johnson – 6
Grace LaPoint – 6
Skyler Lawrence – 6
Madison McMillan – 6
Corrin Skvarla – 6
Janie Wilson – 6
Katy Bennett – 5
Penny Griggs – 5
Marissa Slater – 5
Denise McGregor – 4

Jessica Sherwood – 4
Kara Warder – 4
Christina Mowery – 3
Samantha Roehl – 3
Ashlie Shank – 3
Jamie Townsdin – 3
Brenda Belcher – 2
Rusty Brian – 2
Carol Davis – 2
Lisa Davis – 2

Nicole Fuller – 2
Jada Heaton – 2
Cathy Higgins – 2
Daisy Kent – 2
Katie Kiel – 2
Charlotte Langille – 2
Skylar Parker – 2
Morgan Stevens – 2
Tracy Barber – 1
Amy Biskovich – 1

Corinne Gaddis – 1

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Sherry Bonacci (left) and Danette Beckley are among former star players expected to attend the 50th anniversary of Coupeville High School girls’ basketball. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Never write anything down in pen. Ever.

A conflict on South Whidbey’s side of things will move the Falcons trip to Coupeville for a night of rivalry basketball from Dec. 4 to Dec. 16.

The bigger part of the deal is the 50th anniversary celebration of CHS girls’ hoops is connected to those games and will also shift to the new date.

That shindig will include honoring the top 15 scorers in program history, in addition to the 1999-2000 team.

That group, led by coaches Willie and Cherie Smith, was the first Wolf girls’ squad, in any sport, to win a game at the state tourney.

Plus, cake.

Two big positives for the move?

Dec. 16 is a Saturday, while Dec. 4 was a Monday, likely making it easier for those who need to travel.

Also, the later date should allow for former Wolves now in college to be home for the holidays.

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The banner from Coupeville’s landmark season has endured two-plus decades.

They were the first to bring a win home from the big dance.

The 1999-2000 Coupeville High School girls’ basketball team, led by Willie and Cherie Smith, featured some of the biggest names in program history, and some key role players who forever left their mark.

And now we’re looking to reunite the band during the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of Wolf girls’ hoops, which is set for Monday, Dec. 4.

Coupeville hosts South Whidbey that night, and at halftime of the varsity game, the school will honor the top 15 scorers in program history, as well as the 99-00 squad.

That team, the second Wolf girls’ hoops team to advance to state, were known as the “Cardiac Kids.”

They actually started the season slowly, then turned things around starting with a 45-24 beatdown of Darrington.

The Wolves were still 7-7 after a narrow 43-39 loss to Archbishop Thomas Murphy, before reeling off five wins in their final six regular-season games.

That included some sweet revenge in the finale when they blew undefeated ATM (and its yappy coach) off the floor en route to a 63-41 victory.

The postseason started with a loss to tough Seattle Christian, but Coupeville rebounded, knocking off ATM 43-42, then drilling Orcas Island 55-29 to punch its ticket to state.

Tina Lyness, who drained a short jumper at the buzzer to eliminate The Evil Empire, capping a torrid fourth quarter in which she couldn’t miss, later told me it was one of her favorite high school memories.

“To eliminate ATM from heading to state was extremely satisfying,” she said. “Overall, the whole season was an awesome memory.”

Under the bright lights, the scrappy Wolves fought hard in an opening-round loss to Toledo, before notching the program’s landmark win Mar. 2, 2000.

Trailing Freeman by 11 points heading into the fourth quarter, the “Cardiac Kids” rallied to close on a 20-5 tear to claim a 46-42 triumph.

Lyness was straight fire, again, singing the nets for 18 points, while snatching six boards and making off with four steals.

But it was her hardworking, often unsung teammate/best bud Jaime Rasmussen who shocked the world.

One of two team members who were also superstar Videoville and Miriam’s Espresso employees (along with Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby), Coupeville’s #5 scorer that season hit both the go-ahead bucket and two late free throws to ice the game.

It was not only the first time a girls’ basketball team won a game at state, but it was also the first time a CHS girls’ team in any sport had achieved that honor.

While a loss to powerhouse Warden ended Coupeville’s miracle season a day later, the 99-00 squad returned home bathed in glory.

Without knowing it at the time, they had launched the start of something big, as Wolf girls’ basketball has returned to state multiple times since then, bringing home trophies three times.

But it all starts with Willie and Cherie (and six-year-old son Ian operating the floor sweeper at state) and their band of never-say-die, always-say-beat-ATM ballhawks.

My hope is that like the 1969-1970 team which was honored at the 101st anniversary of the boy’s hoops program, as many of those involved can be there in person Dec. 4 to get another moment in the spotlight.

 

“The Cardiac Kids” are:

Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby
Penny Griggs
Brianne King
Yashmeen Knox
Tina Lyness
Jaime Rasmussen
Nicole Shelly
Rachelle Solomon
Tracy Taylor
Jamie Townsdin
Emily Young
Laura Young

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Ryanne Knoblich gets some love from Mama Mariah. (Karen Carlson photo)

“Nice try, Ry!”

Over the years, as she grew from a plucky young girl fighting to have an impact, to emerging as a full-blown star honored as a Coupeville High School Athlete of the Year winner, that statement took on new meaning.

Ryanne Knoblich may have followed in the footsteps of older brother Gavin, himself a three-sport sensation for the Wolves, but Mariah and Clint’s daughter wrote her own super-successful story.

When she exited CHS this past spring, carrying her diploma (and countless academic and athletic honors), she left as one of the best I’ve ever written about.

As an athlete, absolutely.

As a human being, even more so.

Ryanne was unfailingly joyful during her days repping the red and black, her megawatt personality lighting up gyms and track ovals and winning her a well-deserved legion of fans.

Pick a sport, and she was a huge contributor.

Doin’ what she does. (Jackie Saia photo)

On the volleyball court, she grew into a dangerous sniper, one who crashed from sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball, before unleashing often-crippling spikes.

Look at her stats from her senior season, and it’s readily apparent how dangerous, and well-balanced, a player she truly was.

Ryanne racked up 108 kills and 109 digs, the rare player to amass top numbers at the net and in the back row.

She could also serve with the best of them, peppering rivals with spikes which tore off arms and deflated players on the other side of the court.

Through it all, while racking up All-Conference honors, she delighted in her teammate’s accomplishments as much as her own, her voice carrying across the gym as she bum-rushed her pals to squeeze the life out of them with a congratulatory hug.

That all-in style carried over to basketball, where Ryanne was her team’s most effective rebounder, while also finishing #3 in scoring.

She could pop a silky jumper, elbow a wayward rival, then dive on the floor to fight like her life depended on her ability to claim possession of the ball.

All while chuckling to herself, an intense warrior who always seemed to delight in just getting a chance to play alongside her friends.

The artist at work. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

When spring rolled around, Ryanne went outdoors for track and field, and it’s there she probably made her biggest impact.

The pandemic denied her a freshman season on the oval, but she more than made up for it in the remaining three years.

From her sophomore through senior year, Ryanne competed in 11 different events, from sprints to relays, hurdles to jumping competitions.

Through it all, she rang up 16 wins, twice finished 2nd at the state meet in the high jump and tied a school record which stood untouched since 1999.

Ryanne touched the skies at five feet, two inches in her premier event, joining Wolf legend Yashmeen Knox atop the record books.

While she may have left the building, her name will live on every time a new CHS athlete enters the gym complex and looks up at the record board on the wall.

And, while that record may one day be toppled, Ryanne’s place among the best Wolf athletes ever is still assured, as her photo will join others who have been tabbed as a CHS Athlete of the Year winner.

That honor is forever.

Not that she needs it, as “Nice try, Ry” will also live on in the memories of those who watched her play while fueled by her unique mix of intensity and joy.

Solo, or as part of a team, Ryanne is always a winner. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Still, awards are nice, so let’s toss another her way.

Today we welcome Ryanne to the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, where she joins her brother.

After this you’ll find the duo hanging out up at the top of the blog, under the Legends tab.

It’ll be easy to spot Ryanne.

She’ll be the one having a heck of a good time, effortlessly building her fan club one huge play, and one big smile, at a time.

A joyful assassin. (Delanie Lewis photo)

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