Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Balanced scoring, narrow defeat

February 1, 2025 by David Svien

Lyla Stuurmans lets fly. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

La Conner’s scorebook operators can’t get their story straight.

The school reported Friday’s varsity girls’ basketball game as a 41-31 win for the Braves over visiting Coupeville, but their own numbers prove that wrong.

Yes, it ultimately was a loss for CHS, but a scan of the books — crafted by the locals — shows the score was 40-34.

So, there’s that.

The defeat still dings Coupeville’s record, dropping it to 4-5 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 7-10 overall, heading into Senior Night Feb. 7 against Friday Harbor.

After that the playoffs, and a new batch of scorebook keepers, await.

No matter what score you ultimately go with from Friday’s rumble, the game was decided by the scoring of La Conner sisters Nora and Maeve McCormick, who combined for 21 points to outpace the Wolves.

Led by the sibling assassins, the Braves bolted to a 10-6 lead through one quarter of play, before slightly stretching the lead out to 17-10 at the half.

Coupeville put together its best offensive output in the third quarter, however, rattling the rim for 15 points and cutting the deficit to 28-25 with eight minutes left to play.

Five different Wolves scored in the third, with Lyla Stuurmans, Teagan Calkins, and Katie Marti all draining three-balls from deep.

La Conner held on in the end, with slightly better free throw shooting (12-21 vs. 7-16) helping the Braves make up for losing the battle of treys 5-2.

CHS spread out its offense, with Lyla Stuurmans and Mia Farris each banking in seven points, while Calkins and Marti popped for six apiece.

Jada Heaton (3), Haylee Armstrong (3), and Tenley Stuurmans (2) also scored, with Madison McMillan bringing intensity to the defensive side of the floor.

Jada Heaton waits for the basketball to come her way. (CHS Yearbook photo)

Posted in Girls Basketball | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Late Wolf rally falls just short

January 31, 2025 by David Svien

Hurlee Bronec works his magic in the paint. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The gap is narrowing.

The first time the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball team clashed with La Conner this season, the Wolves lost by 14.

Friday night, in the rematch, Brad Sherman’s squad made a torrid fourth quarter run that fell just short in a 55-52 road loss.

With a possible third matchup between the schools lurking in the playoffs, that growth is a huge positive for Coupeville.

Now 5-4 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 6-12 overall, the Wolves close the regular season next Friday, Feb. 7, when they host Friday Harbor on Senior Night.

The double-elimination District 1/2 tourney, with two tickets to state up for grabs, runs Feb. 13-22.

Friday night’s fracas in La Conner followed a clear pattern – the host team dominated in odd quarters, while the visitors controlled the even frames.

Trailing 19-8 at the first break, Coupeville had to dig down deep in the second quarter and did so, zipping off on a 19-10 tear.

Chase Anderson threw down 10 points by himself in the second, with the Wolves pulling back to within 29-27 by the half.

But then La Conner got going again, stretching the margin back out to double digits at 47-37 heading into the final frame.

CHS spread the offensive love around over the last eight minutes, with five different players scoring during a 15-8 rally which fell just short.

Ultimately, the three-point difference came at the free throw line, as La Conner netted seven of 14 shots, while Coupeville continued its season-long struggles at the charity stripe, hitting just 4-9.

Jack Porter has places to be, and buckets to score. (Bailey Thule photo)

Hurlee Bronec and Anderson both went for 16 points to top the Wolves stat sheet, while Jack Porter banged away for 12 to give CHS three players in double-digits.

La Conner gunner Brayden Pedroza led all scorers with 23.

Anderson, who sank all four of Coupeville’s three-balls, raised his career scoring total to 550 points.

The junior guard passed Marc Bissett (549) Friday and sits in a tie with Jim Syreen for #42 on the all-time list, which covers 1917-2025.

Hunter Bronec (4), Landon Roberts (2), and Camden Glover (2) also scored for the Wolves, with Malachi Somes and Johnny Porter rounding out the rotation.

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Third quarter blues hurt JV boys

January 31, 2025 by David Svien

Carson Grove runs the offense. (Parker Hammons photos)

The third quarter was a killer.

Take that away and the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team wins by six points Friday in La Conner. Put it back in, and the Wolves lose by three.

Unfortunately for CHS players and fans, all 32 minutes count, so the road warriors fell 45-42.

The loss gives the two JV teams a split in their season series, after Coupeville won the first meeting in Cow Town (also by three points) and drops the Wolves to 4-4 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 5-7 overall.

Now, the young guns have a week off, before concluding their season at home next Friday, Feb. 7 in a tilt with Friday Harbor.

The rumble in La Conner was a tightly contested one all night, just like the first time around.

With Easton Green popping for five points in the first quarter, Coupeville went to the opening break tied 9-9, then surged ahead 21-16 by the half.

The game took a bad turn for the Wolves, however, as a 13-4 La Conner advantage in the third put the visitors back on their heels.

From a 25-25 tie midway through the third, CHS found itself down 36-25 early in the fourth frame.

While the Wolves closed on a frantic 17-9 run, spurred by big buckets from Mahkai Myles, La Conner had just enough left in the tank to hold on for the win.

Myles finished with a season-high 14 points to pace Coupeville, with Sage Arends banking in nine and Green knocking down eight.

Davin Houston (4), Malachi Somes (3), Carson Grove (2), and Riley Lawless (2) rounded out the scoring attack, while Nathan Coxsey, Khanor Jump, Liam Blas, Jayden Little, and Kyle McCrimmon also saw floor time.

Kyle McCrimmon charges into action.

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Don’t stop believin’ (in the power of cheer)

January 31, 2025 by David Svien

Wolf cheerleaders love the spotlight. (Mia Farris photo)

The spirit is strong in them.

Coupeville High School cheerleaders continue to shake the rafters game after game this winter, providing the background to Wolf basketball games.

Whether performing at halftime or verbally supporting their hoops-playing classmates during the heat of action, the Wolf spirit squad remains the best in the biz.

Olivia Hall (and her teammates) light up the gym. (Bailey Thule photo)

Alysia Burdge and David Somes keep their eye(s) on the ball. (CHS Yearbook photo)

Bella Karr is fired up. (Mia Farris photo)

Coupeville seniors present a united front. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Bringing down the house at halftime. (Mia Farris photo)

Posted in Cheer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“We never backed away”

January 29, 2025 by David Svien

Capri Anter shows off a steely focus. (Bailey Thule photo)

Growth matters most.

As her squad battles through its season, Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball coach Scout Smith is looking for steady improvement from young players building for their future.

And she’s seeing it, even in tough losses like the one the Wolves endured on their home floor Tuesday night.

Facing off with “a well-coached, well-organized (team) that were clinical finishers,” Coupeville fell 54-25 to brutally efficient Mount Vernon Christian.

The loss drops CHS to 4-3 in Northwest 2B/1B League action, 5-6 overall, with two games left on the 2024-2025 schedule.

With contests still ahead against La Conner and Friday Harbor, the Wolves want to finish strong, and Smith came away from Tuesday’s loss believing they will.

“The team fought hard for much of the game, and I am proud of how we never backed away from a tough opponent,” she said.

“A lot of credit to our team for being flexible and continuing to adapt and grow throughout the season. We will learn from this loss and turn all focus to La Conner.”

MVC bolted out to a 17-7 lead after one quarter of play Tuesday, before stretching the halftime lead to 31-10.

Coupeville played its best ball in the second half, fighting hard while coming up just short in 15-12 and 8-3 frames.

Haylee Armstrong paced the Wolves with a team-high eight points, with Lexis Drake, Adeline Maynes, and Ava Lucero each going off for five in support.

Capri Anter and Marin Winger rounded out the scoring, each slipping a free throw through the net, with Jeann Nitta, Amelia Crowder, Chelsi Stevens, and Sydney Van Dyke also seeing floor time.

Posted in Girls Basketball | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »