Coupeville Sports

Burke Winger (left) and Luke Blas are ready to … hammer … opposing teams. (Photo courtesy Stephanie Blas)

It’s Basketball Eve.

And yes, that’s bigger than Christmas Eve, you hoops heathens…

“God’s Chosen Sport” kicks off Thursday, with the Coupeville Middle School boys’ basketball squad traveling to Sultan for three rumbles, and we go from there.

Now, if you want to see the young Wolves in action on their home floor, you’re going to have to bide your time a bit, as CMS is on the road for its first three matchups and four of its first five.

Coupeville hosts Granite Falls Nov. 25, pops on the bus again, then plays three in a row in Cow Town to end the eight-game season.

Maybe. If the schedule doesn’t get changed. Which, based on history, it likely will.

Ready to run the break. (Julie Wheat photos)

But for now, things are ready to go, with CMS coaches having an astounding 40+ players.

The breakdown is 17 sixth graders, 14 seventh graders, and 12 eighth graders, which allows the Wolves to have three squads, plus a fourth “practice squad” comprised of new-to-the-game players looking to “grow their game, focus on basketball fundamentals, and be a part of something great with this program.”

So, no cuts, build for the future, and when that 4-foot-9 newbie shoots up to become a 6-8 beast in high school, it all pays off for both sides.

Ready to make the net bounce.

With the explosion of players, the school convinced Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Famer (and hardwood assassin) Kassie O’Neil to help out with the practice squad, which will allow CMS coaches Alex Evans, RayLynn Ratcliff, and Jaylen Nitta to focus on coaching squads 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

The four pack of coaches and their players are embracing the program’s new mission statement, as well.

It reads:

Our mission is to cultivate a team environment where grit, gratitude, joy, humility, trust, excellence, and growth are at the forefront of our journey.

We strive to empower each player to reach their full potential both on and off the court, fostering a spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Through dedication and perseverance, we aim to achieve excellence in every game, while embracing the values of respect and integrity.

Together, we grow as athletes and individuals, united in our pursuit of falling in love with the game of basketball.

Ready to clamp down on defense.

As the bus revs, and the shoes start to squeak, here’s a look at the current lineups, though changes may happen going forward.

“We have made it clear that hard work, being a great teammate, showing grit and gratitude could lead to additional other moves as the season progresses,” Ratcliff said.

Team #1:

Colton Ashby
Xander Beaman
Diesel Eck
Gracen Joiner
Jacob Lujan
Kamden Ratcliff
River Simpson
Darius Stewart
Trey Stewart
Maverick Walling
Aiden Wheat

Team #2:

Xander Flowers
Brayden Grinstead
Mario Martinez
Hayden Maynes
Mica McCloskey
Dreyke Mendiola
Abel O’Neil
Henry Purdue
Les Queen
Braxten Ratcliff
Brady Sherman
Nico Strong

Team #3:

Vincent Alguire
Jack Bailey
Luke Blas
Logan Dees
Jonathyn Driscoll
Dom Durbin
Logan Flowers
Alton Hansen
Oliver Miller
Gabe Reed
LJ Schultz
Liam Stoner
Burke Winger

Team #4:

Jackson Coxsey
Jonah Dunham
Jack Gustafson
Gabe Ketterling
Rockford Reyes
Henry Tierney
Elijah Williams

Ready to embrace growth.