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JV boys romp to big win

December 12, 2025 by David Svien

Christopher Zenz slashes to the hoop. (Julie Wheat photo)

One team took care of business.

Making the first road trip of the season Friday, the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team led from start to finish, polishing off host Orcas Island 45-24 in the league opener for both teams.

The victory lifts the Wolves to 1-0 in Northwest 2B/1B League action, 2-3 overall, with a Tuesday home tilt against always-tough Mount Vernon Christian coming up quickly.

Squaring off with the Vikings, Coupeville claimed the advantage in every quarter.

Up 10-5 at the first break, with Josh Stockdale having poured in eight points fueled by a pair of three-balls, CHS got brutal on defense in the second quarter, holding Orcas to just two points.

That staked the Wolves to a 17-7 lead at the break, which soon blossomed into a 31-14 margin by the time the third quarter had come to a close.

Stockdale finished with 11 points, while running mate Carson Grove led all scorers with a season-high 17.

Toss in nine points from Jayden McManus, four from Liam Lawson, and a bucket apiece for Trent Thule and Nathan Coxsey, and the scoring came from all directions.

Khanor Jump, Brian Thompson, Ayden Warren, Christopher Zenz, and Jaden Flores Garcia also saw floor time for the triumphant Wolves.

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They’re strong to the last shot

December 12, 2025 by David Svien

Anna Powers wheels and deals. (Julie Wheat photo)

They got tougher as the night went on.

The Coupeville High School JV girls’ basketball team played its strongest 16 minutes in the second half Friday on Orcas Island but couldn’t quite catch up to the Vikings.

Despite playing their hosts straight up after halftime, the Wolves ultimately fell 34-26 in a hotly contested conference clash.

With the loss, CHS slips to 0-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 1-3 overall, and heads back home to square off with Mount Vernon Christian Tuesday night.

Orcas jumped out to a 10-7 lead after one quarter of action Friday, then stretched the lead out to 23-15 heading into the halftime break.

The Wolf girls responded with an admirable show of grit, however, winning the fourth quarter 7-2 to keep the second half scoring knotted up at 11 points per team.

Ten Coupeville players hit the floor for coach Alita Blouin, with Ava Lucero knocking down 11 points to lead the scoring attack.

Cami Van Dyke (4), Anna Powers (4), Finley Helm (2), Willow Leedy-Bonifas (2), Emma Cushman (2), and Elizabeth Marshall (1) put their names in the scoring column, with Olivia Hall, Taylor Marrs, and Allie Powers also earning floor time.

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Free throws trip up Wolf girls

December 12, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville junior Haylee Armstrong rattled the rims for a team-high 14 points Friday night on Orcas Island. (Julie Wheat photo)

“We gotta make free throws.”

Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball coach Scout Smith, who was a precision shooter in her own playing days, could do little but watch in silent horror Friday as her squad gave one away on Orcas Island.

Despite getting to the line twice as many times as the host Vikings, the Wolves could not get the ball to stay in the basket, and it stung them badly in a 42-39 loss.

The defeat, coming in the Northwest 2B/1B League opener for both teams, drops CHS to 0-1 in conference action, 1-3 overall heading into a Tuesday home tilt with NWL powerhouse Mount Vernon Christian.

Friday’s fracas was decided at the charity stripe, and it could have been a blowout for Coupeville.

The Wolves earned 24 chances at the stripe to just 12 for Orcas — a rare case of the road team getting the benefit of the doubt — but the rim was unforgiving.

While the Vikings were just 5-12 with the action stopped, they still made two more free throws than their foes, as Coupeville netted just 3-24.

That blew a huge hole in the Wolves ability to hold on to the lead, or rally back in the final moments.

Up 13-10 after one quarter of play, with Haylee Armstrong going off for seven points to lead the way, the Wolves settled for a 19-19 tie at the half.

Coupeville was still within 31-29 after three frames but couldn’t quite get there and will look for some sweet revenge when Orcas travels to Cow Town later in the season.

Armstrong paced the Wolves Friday, pumping in 14 points, while Teagan Calkins banked in 11 in support.

Tenley Stuurmans (5), Adeline Maynes (4), Kennedy O’Neill (4), and Ari Cunningham (1) also scored, with Lexis Drake providing a defensive spark in her time on the floor.

The game marked a return to action for Maynes, who sat out two games after being crunched in the head in the season opener, while Stuurmans, a sophomore, cracked the 100-point career scoring club and now sits with 103 points.

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The prairie prince hath arrived!

December 12, 2025 by David Svien

“This is my baby! Go get your own!!” (Photos courtesy Megan Richter)

One baby to unite two empires.

Coupeville High School football and girls’ basketball head coaches Bennett and Megan Richter have added to the family, with Waylon joining super-excited big sis Adeline.

The birth gives Wolf legends Willie and Cherie Smith six grandchildren to spoil.

Plus, it gives me a reason to get to run baby photos, which are worth their weight in gold when it comes to page views.

So, win-win for everyone.

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Coupeville School District money man resigns

December 10, 2025 by David Svien

Brian Gianello

The Coupeville School District has lost one of its linchpins.

Brian Gianello, who worked tirelessly as Director of Finance and Human Resources, has resigned after two-and-a-half-years in the positions.

The affable money man, who was hired in July of 2023, has been at the forefront of the district’s budget work.

In a “Wolfpack Family/Community News” newsletter sent out Tuesday, Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood said:

Coupeville School District is conducting a search for a Director of Business and Finance following the recent resignation of Brian Gianello.

This position oversees financial operations, budget management, and business services that support our students and schools.

We have strong interim leadership in place to ensure continuity during this transition, and all district operations continue smoothly.

If you know a qualified professional who might be interested in serving our community in this important role, please share this opportunity with them.

Gianello held the same positions in the La Conner School District from 2021-2023 before being hired by previous Coupeville Superintendent Steve King.

An email sent to his work address Monday bounced back with the reply “I am currently out of the office, and all emails will be forwarded.”

The School Board is scheduled to hold its monthly business meeting next Thursday, Dec. 18, and Gianello’s resignation is expected to be included on the agenda.

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