Mason Grove was electric Thursday, netting a career-high 25 at Sequim. (John Fisken photo)
There’s a new superstar in the Grove household.
Big sis Lauren, a state medalist and school record holder in track and a pretty darn good basketball/volleyball/soccer player, has to step to the side.
For a night at least.
Thursday was all about her brother, Mason, who capped his 8th grade basketball career by going off for 25 at Sequim.
“Mason killed it!,” said proud Coupeville Middle School coach Bob Martin.
Playing with only six guys, the Wolves were nipped in the final moments by host Sequim, a much-larger school that funnels players to a 2A high school.
But even with a 49-45 loss to wrap its 10-game season, CMS went out strong.
“They had a great game, all six of them,” Martin said. “They endured and played hard; what more can you ask for.
“Sean (Toomey-Stout)’s mom said it well, “they showed real grit tonight!,” he added. “There was plenty to smile about.”
Leading the highlights was Grove, who stepped off the bus on fire and never let up.
The long-range gunner scored in every quarter, with a bucket in the first, seven points in both the second and fourth and nine in a wild third-quarter burst.
Grove hit on three treys, dropping in three-balls in the second, third and fourth quarter.
Toomey-Stout banked home seven in support, while Koa Davison and Jered Brown hit for five apiece.
Jacobi Pacquette-Pilgrim netted a trey to round out the scoring.
A strong group of players who won their share of games, and battled valiantly against huge schools like Stevens and Sequim, the Wolf 8th graders now move on the next level.
As they go, they exit with the hard-earned respect of their coach.
“They came together and played their last middle school game like a team,” Martin said. “We’re proud of their efforts and commitment this season and look forward to watching them next year as freshman.”
7th graders bounced:
In the day’s other varsity game, the CMS 7th graders fell 49-24.
Season scoring leader Jake Mitten went for a team-high 10, while Matthew Kelley (7), Daniel Olson (3), Dakota Eck (2) and Sage Downes (2) also scored.
JV squads split:
Coupeville, playing with just five players in both games, fell 36-20 in the 7th grade JV game, but came back to stomp Sequim 42-16 in the 8th grade battle.
Tucker Hall led the 7th grade squad with 10, while Jonathan Partida knocked down eight and Gage Powers netted his first bucket of the season.
In the 8th grade game, Ulrik Wells was the man, matching Sequim by himself with a game-high 16. He also hit double digits in rebounds.
Omar Moralez and Aram Leyva chipped in with 10 apiece, James Wood popped for three and Gavin Knoblich had two.
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