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“The team showed immense composure”

January 25, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville hoops stars Lexis Drake (left) and Haylee Armstrong, living the ferry life. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

Real edge of your seat kind of stuff.

Pulling out a victory on the road Friday in their tightest game of the season, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball squad brought a warm glow to their coach’s heart.

“I am very proud with how the girls fought through a close game,” Scout Smith said.

“In our first come-from-behind victory and first close game of the season the team showed immense composure and a calm, cool, and collected attitude.”

Roaring back from an early deficit, the young Wolves edged host Orcas Island to earn a nail-biting 36-34 win.

That lifts Coupeville to 4-2 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 5-5 overall, with three games left on the JV schedule.

First up is a home clash with Mount Vernon Christian this coming Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Friday’s fracas featured the Wolves using a 13-4 second-quarter surge to turn an early 11-5 deficit into an 18-15 lead at the half.

Freshman Adeline Maynes came up huge during the CHS run, pouring in nine of her team-high 17 points in the second frame.

Coupeville’s leading scorer this season, she has shown a willingness to mix it up below the basket.

“Adie continues to anchor us offensively by attacking the paint, getting to the rim, and rebounding effectively,” Smith said.

Once it was in front, Coupeville held on to the advantage, clinging to a 26-24 advantage through three quarters before the teams played to a 10-10 tie in the fourth.

Smith praised her entire team, while throwing a little extra love to one of her hardest workers.

“Sydney (Van Dyke) did an excellent job, especially late in the game, at shutting down Orcas’ offense.

“She continually broke up passes and created quick transition offense for us.”

“Overall, I am very proud of how the team played and continually deals with new challenges.”

Maynes led the offensive charge with her 17 points, while Ava Lucero and Haylee Armstrong each chipped in with five.

Van Dyke (3), Lexis Drake (3), Capri Anter (2), and Marin Winger (1) all scored, with Jeann Nitta, Chelsi Stevens, and Amelia Crowder also earning floor time.

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CMS spike coach leaves gym

January 25, 2025 by David Svien

Cris Matochi is ready for his close-up. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

This one stings.

Cris Matochi, the dynamic leader of Coupeville Middle School volleyball, has tendered his resignation.

The Brazilian-born coach, who has greatly energized the program since his hire in 2021, will officially depart his post after the school board approves the change at its meeting this coming Thursday, Jan. 30.

Matochi, who is married to CHS volleyball coach Cory Whitmore, lights up the gym with his love of the game and of life.

A high-caliber player in his home country, he balanced coaching at CMS with work as an Environmental Health Specialist for the Island County Health Department.

His pre-Coupeville coaching career included stints at various colleges, and work with high-level volleyball academies and national travel teams.

But while he was likely very over-qualified for his current gig, Matochi never let his past success get in the way of connecting with his current small-town proteges.

He preached love of the game, and a commitment to hard work, while working with fellow coaches such as Raven Vick and Kristina Hooks and got the most out of his players.

Among the most enthusiastic of sideline mentors, he will be greatly missed.

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Jump shines as a college chucker

January 25, 2025 by David Svien

Taygin Jump, kickin’ butt and takin’ names in the Big Apple. (Photo courtesy Christina Jump)

If it’s Saturday, it’s likely a throwing day for Taygin Jump.

The Coupeville grad, now a sophomore at Plattsburgh State in New York, was back at it for the second weekend in a row, competing in the weight throw and shotput.

This time around Jump and her teammates were at the St. Lawrence Invitational in Canton, New York, with the Cardinals claiming third place in the team rumble.

The former Wolf ace finished 5th in the weight throw, chucking the implement 41 feet, one inch, while earning 16th in the shotput with a heave of 24-8.25.

Jump, who is majoring in Environmental Planning & Management/Geology, will get back at it Feb. 4, when her squad hosts the Plattsburgh State Tuesday Track and Field Meet.

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Viking girls deny CHS key road win

January 24, 2025 by David Svien

Jada Heaton, working hard in the paint. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

“The stars were not aligned for us today.”

A long trip to Orcas Island Friday ended in a bit of frustration for the Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball squad and coach Megan Richter.

“We just couldn’t put together a run for long enough and when we did, they always came back and answered,” she said.

“Just wasn’t it for us today.”

By the time the clock ticked to 0:00, Coupeville was looking at a 45-36 loss to a team it beat 41-38 the first time around.

The defeat drops the Wolves to 4-3 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 7-8 overall heading into a home clash Tuesday with league leader Mount Vernon Christian.

With her Wolves sitting in third place in the seven-team conference, Richter is keeping a positive mindset.

“All we can do is smooth out the bumps and move on to our next game with a better and more focused mindset,” she said.

If you take away the first quarter Friday, Coupeville would have won the game by a single point.

But those first eight minutes, when the Wolves fell behind 16-6 to the Vikings, came back to haunt the visitors.

The two teams battled to an 8-8 tie in the second frame, before Orcas narrowly “won” the third quarter 10-9.

The Wolves closed with their own triumph, holding a 13-11 advantage in the fourth as Danica Strong went off for eight of her team-high 11 points.

Strong and Teagan Calkins, who also tallied 11 points, both drilled the bottom out of the net on a trio of three-balls, with CHS holding a 6-5 advantage on shots from the parking lot.

Katie Marti drains one of her 300 career varsity points.

Mia Farris banked in six points in the second half to back the duo, with Madison McMillan (4), Katie Marti (3), and Lyla Stuurmans (1) rounding out the offensive attack.

Jada Heaton and Tenley Stuurmans also saw floor time for the Wolves.

It was a historic night for Marti, as the senior guard reached an even 300 points for her varsity career.

She is the 37th Wolf girl to crack that club for a program which started play in 1974.

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Gordon’s Fusion calls it quits

January 24, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville’s restaurant business is taking a hit.

Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine, which has operated on NW Coveland Street in the building formerly occupied by Christopher’s on Whidbey, is closing as of Sunday, Jan. 26.

The restaurant released the following statement:

 

Dear Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine’s permanent closure, effective Sunday, January 26.

This decision was not made lightly and comes after exhausting every possible effort to continue serving you.

First and foremost, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have walked through our doors, whether as a loyal customer of Gordon’s Fusion or from our days at Blueberry Hill.

You have been the heart of everything we do, and it has been an absolute pleasure to serve this wonderful community through both bustling times and quieter moments.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of creating meaningful connections with so many of you. Whether it was a quick hello or a heartfelt conversation, these moments have been a constant reminder of why we do what we do.

Our goal has always been to provide a place where the island could gather to enjoy good food in a warm and welcoming environment, and we hope we have succeeded in that mission.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to navigate the increasing challenges of running a small business, we have reached a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue operating.

The financial pressures of these times have taken their toll, and in fairness to our amazing staff, we must face this reality with honesty and integrity.

To our loyal customers, thank you for your unwavering support and for allowing us to be a part of your lives.

To our dedicated staff, thank you for your hard work, passion, and commitment—you have been the backbone of everything we’ve accomplished.

While this chapter is coming to an end, the memories we’ve created together will live on in our hearts.

We are truly humbled by the love and support we’ve received from this incredible community over the years.

Thank you for everything.

Gordon’s Fusion Staff

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

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