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Lindsey Roberts (left) and Hailey Hammer fight for a rebound during an alumni game. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The invitation is there.

Every person who has played, coached, kept stats for, or cheered for Coupeville High School girls’ basketball is invited back for the 50th anniversary of the program.

The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 in the CHS gym, with South Whidbey the opponent.

The Wolf varsity boys tip off at 5:15, with the girls at 7:00. The festivities happen at halftime of the girls’ game.

We’ll be honoring the 1999-2000 Coupeville squad, the first to win a game at state — in any sport — as well as the top 15 scorers all time.

But it’s more than that.

The reason we want as many people as possible to cram the gym that night is because the entire program, and the very concept of girls getting a chance to play God’s Chosen Sport, is at the heart of the event.

The Wolf girls started 57(!) years after the CHS boys first dropped a basketball through the net in 1917, and yet have put up more banners and league titles.

Even once female athletes were finally given the same opportunity afforded their male counterparts, they spent several years being forced to trek to Camp Casey for practice.

But those early athletes endured, and they are a shining light to the generations which have come after them.

Wolves (l to r) Julia “Elbows” Myers, Monica Vidoni, Madeline Strasburg, and Amanda Fabrizi prepare to inflict pain on a hapless rival.

When Madison McMillan drops a jumper in the paint, she carries on the tradition started by Marie Grasser.

When Katie Marti slices ‘n dices the defense, she is the heir to Novi Barron and Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby.

When the little girls in the crowd, the ones pulling on a jersey for the first time in youth league play, look out onto the court, they will see the current stars in action, but they will see more.

They will see young women, now adults, who fought against stupidity, who asked for nothing more than a chance, and then went out and made magic.

They will see legendary former Wolf coach Phyllis Textor, back in the gym where she once prowled the sideline, and they will (hopefully) see Ann Pettit, Ashley Manker, Emily Vracin, Skyler Lawrence, and many, many more.

Every single one of you is part of something bigger than yourself.

Be proud. Come home to your gym and celebrate everything you have accomplished.

Lauren Rose gets feisty.

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Mia Farris, seen last season, led Coupeville in scoring during Monday’s season opener. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The offense is a work in progress.

There was times Monday when the Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball squad really clicked during its season opener, but also a lot of moments where the Wolves looked like what they are.

A team which lost almost 80% of its offense to graduation and has to figure out how to generate buckets with basically an all-new starting lineup.

Unable to score back-to-back buckets at any point against host Mount Baker, the Wolves fell 52-21 against a team which rained down five shots from beyond the arc, and a whole lot of others from in close.

The game was knotted up at 2-2 early after Madison McMillan tore down a rebound, then powered her way right back up to bank the ball home over outstretched arms.

Unfortunately for Coupeville, it didn’t score again for six minutes plus, allowing Mount Baker to go on a game-busting 12-0 run.

McMillan finally stopped her team’s bleeding, nailing a pull-up jumper to close the first quarter, only to have the Mountaineers immediately respond with a 10-0 surge to open the second frame.

The Wolves eventually hit on a string of free throws, with Skylar Parker, Jada Heaton, and Katie Marti each rippling the net, but only knocked down one field goal in the quarter.

That came when Marti powered up court, going coast to coast to beat the buzzer and pull CHS within 28-9 at the half.

Coupeville picked up the offensive pace a bit after the break, notching six points in both the third and fourth, but Mount Baker controlled the boards and continued to stretch the lead.

Marti delivered a pair of beautiful passes to set up buckets, hitting Heaton with a long outlet heave, then threading the ball through the defense to find Lyla Stuurmans for a layup.

Wolf junior Mia Farris had the hot hand in the final frame, scoring all of her team-high six points in the waning minutes.

Marti rattled the rim for five points in support, while McMillan (4), Heaton (3), Stuurmans (2), and Parker (1) also scored.

Teagan Calkins and Kayla Arnold rounded out the Wolves to see floor time, with both making their varsity basketball debut for CHS.

Coupeville returns to action this Saturday, Dec. 2, when it hosts Toledo for varsity-only non-conference rumbles.

The girls tip off at 3:00, followed by the Wolf boys at 4:45.

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Haylee Armstrong and the Wolf JV basketball squad earned a big win in their season opener. (Jackie Saia photo)

So, I’ve got good news, and news which will probably keep me awake at night.

The good news first.

Playing with skill and passion, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball squad opened a new season in style Monday, bouncing host Mount Baker 44-41.

Holding off a foe from a bigger school, and on the road, brought a huge smile to the face of Wolf coach Kassie O’Neil.

“We have a lot of things to improve on, but they brought heart, and you could see it!” she said while bouncing in a bus somewhere on the backroads of Washington state.

O’Neil unleashed eight players on the hardwood, and every one of them gave her something back in return.

Teagan (Calkins) had a ton of fast break lay ins,” O’Neil said. “Capri (Anter) was a beast on rebounding and putting it back up.

“We went out in a press, and it frazzled them.”

Coupeville came out on fire, jumping out to a 10-4 lead after one quarter of play, with Calkins scoring half of that tally.

She got help from Bryley Gilbert and Haylee Armstrong, then the Wolves held on through a brief Mount Baker rally in the second frame to carry an 18-16 lead into the locker room.

And this is where I break out in a cold sweat…

Coupeville lost its scorekeeper at the half, which means I have no way of knowing who scored the 26 points put up by the Wolves across the third and fourth quarters.

For someone addicted to stats, especially scoring stats, I have one word for you … AAAGGGGGOOOONNNNYYYY.

But I shall go on, probably forever haunted. If you catch me sitting in a gym in the future, staring wistfully into the great abyss, now you’ll know why.

But anyway. Back to reality.

From what we do have, Calkins led the Wolves with nine points in the first half, with Gilbert (5), Armstrong (2), and Anter (2) banking in buckets.

Brynn Parker, Dakota Strong, Desi Ramirez-Vasquez, and Lexis Drake also saw floor time for Coupeville.

The Wolf JV girls don’t play their next game until Saturday, Dec. 9, when they travel to the wilds of Sultan for another non-conference game.

Plenty of time for me to stare into the abyss and come to terms with the loss of my precious numbers.

Maybe…

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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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