Coupeville Sports

Long trip, close game

December 9, 2024 by David Svien

Hunter Bronec storms to the basket. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

It’s a 226-mile trip from Coupeville to Forks and back.

And while Monday’s trek to Ron Bagby’s hometown didn’t produce a win for the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball squad, the hope is that lessons were learned.

Lessons that will pay off down the road for Brad Sherman’s squad, which is 1-3 but a few plays away from being 3-1.

Monday’s mashup mirrored the majority of Coupeville’s games thus far — a slow start, a hot finish, but a clock which runs out too soon.

Despite charging back in the second half, the Wolves, a team with very little varsity experience, fell 55-47 in the non-conference clash.

It wasn’t for lack of effort, as Coupeville hit five of its six three-balls in the second half, while outscoring the Spartans 14-13 and 16-11 across the final two quarters.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, they came out of the break trailing 31-17, after Forks used a 19-9 run in the second quarter to take control of things.

The Spartans nailed four of their six shots from behind the three-point arc during that frame to put the Wolves on their heels.

While the two squads matched each other on shots from the parking lot, Coupeville convincingly won the free throw shooting part of the night.

The Wolves netted 11 of 20 shots, tying their best performance of the season, while Forks went a godawful 2-14 from the charity stripe.

Chase Anderson slices past a defender.

CHS spread its offense out between seven players Monday, with junior Chase Anderson netting a season-high 21 to lead the attack.

That scoring outburst propels him from 291 career points to 312 and moves him into the top 100 scorers in the 108-year history of Wolf boys’ basketball.

Anderson, sitting at #96 all-time with home games against Orcas Island and Morton-White Pass set for Friday and Saturday, slips past John Beasley (293), Noel Criscuola (298), Blake Day (299), Noah Roehl (301), Allen Black (305), and Ben Hayes (306).

Jack Porter (7), Camden Glover (6), Hunter Bronec (5), Hurlee Bronec (4), Landon Roberts (2), and Johnny Porter (2) also scored at Forks.

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged Boys Basketball, Chase Anderson, CHS Wolves, Forks, long road trip | Leave a Comment »

Slow start dooms Wolf girls

December 9, 2024 by David Svien

Wolf senior Katie Marti reached a personal milestone Monday in Forks. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

They left their shooting touch at home.

Coming out ice cold in the early afternoon Monday on the road at far-off Forks, the Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball team built itself a big deficit and couldn’t get all the way back.

The undermanned Wolves, who were missing a key starter with Lyla Stuurmans out ill, did fight back strongly in the second half, but ultimately fell 42-29.

The non-conference loss to the always-tough Spartans snaps a two-game winning streak for Coupeville, which slips to 2-2 on the season.

Megan Richter’s squad will get to stay closer to home for its next two tilts, welcoming Orcas Island and Morton-White Pass to Whidbey Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Monday’s rumble in Forks got off to a bad start for CHS, which fell behind 16-2 after one quarter of play.

From there, the deficit stretched out to 22-4 at the half and 32-11 through three quarters.

The fourth frame was Coupeville’s strongest, with five different Wolves finding the bottom of the net to spark a game-closing 18-10 run.

Haylee Armstrong navigates the defense.

Sophomore guard Haylee Armstrong provided a large chunk of the offense for CHS, pumping in a season-high 11 points.

Mia Farris banked in seven to back her up, with Madison McMillan chipping in with four.

Jada Heaton (3), Danica Strong (2), and Katie Marti (2) rounded out the scoring, while Teagan Calkins and Tenley Stuurmans also saw substantial floor time for the Wolves.

Forks 8th grader Brooklynn Rondeau led all scorers with 17 points, including netting four of the six three-balls the Spartans made on the afternoon.

Marti did nab a bit of history in the loss, moving past Hilary Kortuem into 50th place on the CHS program’s all-time scoring chart.

The feisty senior sits with 232 points for her career, and next up on her “hit list” is her cousin, Breeanna Messner, who scored 235 points during her stellar run as a Wolf.

Posted in Girls Basketball | Tagged CHS Wolves, Forks, girls basketball, Haylee Armstrong, long road trip | Leave a Comment »

Jump off to a roaring start

December 9, 2024 by David Svien

Taygin Jump

Year two is off to a strong start.

Coupeville High School grad Taygin Jump kicked off her sophomore season of college track and field with a stellar performance Saturday at the Saints Holiday Relays in Canton, New York.

The Plattsburgh State sophomore won a title in the weight throw, lobbing her implement 41 feet, 3.25 inches.

Jump also earned sixth place in the shot put, launching the ball 26-09.25.

Overall, she and her teammates finished second in the team standings at the six-team meet.

Plattsburgh returns to action after the holidays, getting back into competition Jan. 18 as the indoor track season begins to pick up full speed.

During her time in Coupeville, Jump, older sister of current Wolves Aleksia and Khanor, was a standout track and volleyball athlete.

Posted in Track, Wolves in college | Tagged CHS Wolves, season opener, SUNY Plattsburgh, Taygin Jump, track and field, weight throw | Leave a Comment »

“It was a fun experience”

December 8, 2024 by David Svien

Coupeville volleyball’s All-State contingent is (l to r) Cory Whitmore, Lyla Stuurmans, Katie Marti, Mia Farris, and Cris Matochi.

The most-successful season in Coupeville High School volleyball history ended Sunday with an explosion of joy.

Three Wolf seniors — Lyla Stuurmans, Katie Marti, and Mia Farris — played in the All-State game at Burlington-Edison High School, with their own coach, Cory Whitmore, calling the shots.

It was Coupeville’s deepest representation at the event, which makes sense.

The Wolves, who were undefeated to the final day of the season, went 18-2, won league and Bi-District titles and finished 4th at the state tourney.

Both the victories and the state finish were the best ever achieved by a CHS spiker team.

Sunday, Whitmore — with assistance from Cris Matochi — coached the Gray team in the 2B game, with his players joined by fellow spikers from schools such as Adna and Forks.

“It was a fun experience to be a part of, and I was honored to be asked,” Whitmore said.

The pride of 2B.

“Our team was full of outgoing personalities that blended well. Helps to have Coach Cris along to keep things especially fun.”

With a large collection of Wolf fans and family members making the trip to the mainland, the Wolf trio shined in the big spotlight.

“Both Katie and Mia did really well, and I know if Lyla had been feeling better, she would have done great as well!” Whitmore said.

“I’m proud of how they represented our program, and it was fun to see how many made the drive over in support.

“That was really special, and a testament of what this team has inspired this season.”

Coupeville always travels well.

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged All-State, CHS Wolves, Katie Marti, Lyla Stuurmans, Mia Farris | Leave a Comment »

Season rolling, records rocking

December 8, 2024 by David Svien

A rare quiet moment for CHS basketball managers. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The buckets are dropping, the win/loss records are starting to roll forward.

High school basketball is back, and gyms have been busy in the early going, with Northwest 2B/1B League teams having racked up nearly 40 games and counting.

Coupeville keeps up the torrid early pace this coming week, with three games on the schedule.

The Wolves take a long bus ride to Forks Monday, then welcome Orcas Island and Morton-White Pass to Whidbey Friday and Saturday, respectively.

That’ll get the CHS squads six games deep into a 20-game regular season schedule.

As things continue to develop, where those win/loss records sit through Dec. 8:

Northwest League boys’ basketball: