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Defensive dynamos clinch top playoff seed

February 8, 2023 by David Svien

Wolf seniors (l to r) Dominic Coffman, Alex Murdy, Jermiah Copeland, and Jonathan Valenzuela were honored Tuesday night. (Morgan White photo)

Level one achievement, unlocked.

Playing aggressive, often-inspired team defense Tuesday, the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball squad polished off visiting La Conner 60-47.

That keeps the Wolves undefeated against fellow 2B schools and lifts them to 13-6 overall heading into Friday’s regular-season finale at Friday Harbor.

Winners of 11 of its last 13 games, Coupeville also clinches the #1 playoff seed from District 1 with the win over the Braves.

That guarantees the Wolves will play all their games in the bi-district tourney on their home floor, as they seek to punch a ticket to state in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in program history.

Coupeville hosts Northwest Christian (Lacey), the #2 seed from District 2, Feb. 14, while D-1 #2 La Conner hits the road the same night to face D-2 #1 Auburn Adventist Academy.

The winners play at CHS Feb. 16 for the bi-district title and a state berth.

The losers of the opening games wage a loser-out affair, also at CHS Feb. 16, with the winner of that rumble advancing to a game Feb. 18 against the title game loser for District 1/2’s second state tourney ticket.

Which is a long way to getting around to the fact Coupeville controls its own destiny from here on out, with home cookin’ and rabid Wolf Nation fans within easy reach.

Advance to state, as CHS did last season, breaking a 34-year dry spell, and the Wolves will match the run when both the 1974-1975 and 1975-1976 teams made it to the big dance.

La Conner, as expected, put up a hard fight Tuesday night, but couldn’t quite recreate the same magic it showed in a one-point loss to the Wolves earlier this season.

The first quarter was a donnybrook, however, with Coupeville overcoming a six-point deficit to knot things up at 17-17 thanks to back-to-back three-balls from Logan Downes and Cole White.

CHS senior Jonathan Valenzuela, who gutted the Braves with a buzzer-beating bomb last time, banked in another trey this time out, while Alex Murdy and Dominic Coffman keyed a hyped-up Wolf defense.

Freshman Chase Anderson soon joined the shut-down brigade, coming on to harass, irritate, and thoroughly chafe any La Conner gunner who touched the ball.

Scrappy beyond his years, and also capable of tossing down a bank shot under duress on offense, “The Magic Man” was the secret ingredient in Wolf coach Brad Sherman’s defensive gumbo, and he drove several Braves batty.

Which is awesome.

The game remained a war of attrition through much of the second quarter, with four ties and several lead changes, before Coupeville made its move.

Coffman, hanging high in the air, yanked a loose ball away and put it back up and in to stake the Wolves to a 28-26 lead and the home team would never trail again after that.

Downes drilled the bottom out of the net on a three-ball right before halftime to make it 32-27, then slipped a free throw through the net with less than a second left in the third to keep CHS up 44-38.

In between, Coupeville got gut-check baskets from White and Murdy, as the Wolves responded in style each time La Conner tried to pull even.

Still, no one was feeling safe as the fourth quarter began, until CHS dropped a couple of haymakers.

Valenzuela banked in a jumper to open the final frame, cracking the 100-point club for his varsity career, but it was a 10-2 run midway through the quarter which allowed Brad Sherman to finally exhale.

Six of the points in that tear came off of the fingers of White, channeling the spirit of dad Greg as he went hard to the hoop for repeat buckets.

Valenzuela and Downes set up their teammate with precision passes, while Anderson, still magnificently chafing the Braves, drew a charging foul which knocked the last bit of wind out of La Conner’s sails.

Logan Downes makes it rain. (Bailey Thule photo)

Coupeville spread its scoring out between six shooters, with Downes popping for a game-high 27 points and White rippling the nets for 15.

Valenzuela (7), Murdy (5), Anderson (4), and Coffman (2) also wrote their names in the scorebook, with Nick Guay and Jermiah Copeland earning floor time.

While the win, the chance to nab a top playoff seed, and the defensive effort were the big stories, two Wolves also made some personal history.

Valenzuela finished the night with 103 career points, becoming the fifth active Wolf boy to crack triple-digits, while Downes continues to throw down numbers rarely seen in the 106-year history of Coupeville basketball.

The junior gunner heads into the regular-season finale with 457 points this season, and 681 for his career.

Only Jeff Stone (644 in 1969-1970) and Jeff Rhubottom (459 in 1977-1978) have scored more in a single season.

Career-wise, Downes performance Tuesday pushes him past Wolf legends Jason McFadyen (654), Wade Ellsworth (659), Pat Bennett (659), Foster Faris (668), Virgil Roehl (674), and Gavin Keohane (677), and places him #22 all-time for a program launched in 1917.

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Wolf girls keep eyes on playoff prize

February 7, 2023 by David Svien

Maddie Georges rumbles in the paint. (Morgan White photo)

The mission is simple.

Hit the road this Friday, Island-hop from Whidbey to Friday Harbor, and win the regular-season finale.

Do that, and the Coupeville High School girls’ varsity basketball team is playoff-bound, with the bi-district tourney on their home floor.

However, if the hosts win Friday, the Wolves and Wolverines will immediately turn around and play a tiebreaker game Saturday at a neutral location.

Whichever team comes out on top in the battle for the #2 playoff seed from District 1, it will face District 2’s Auburn Adventist Academy in a loser-out game Feb. 13.

La Conner, the D-1 #1, plays D-2 #2 Northwest Christian (Lacey) in the nightcap of a playoff doubleheader.

The winners Feb. 13 face-off Feb. 15 for the bi-district title and a berth to the state tourney.

The Braves clinched District 1’s top seed thanks to a 48-22 win over Coupeville Tuesday night, hitting 10 three-balls to ease past the feisty Wolves.

The loss drops CHS to 8-9 heading into its regular-season finale.

Playing on Senior Night Tuesday, the Wolves honored the Fab Five — Maddie Georges, Carolyn Lhamon, Gwen Gustafson, Alita Blouin, and Ryanne Knoblich, and were stung by a slow start.

La Conner hit a trio of three-balls in the first quarter, building a 15-2 lead by the first break, and that put Coupeville in catch-up mode the rest of the night.

Knoblich came dangerously close to getting some of those points back, dropping her own three-ball at the buzzer, but the ball departed her fingertips after the buzzer clanged, forcing the refs to wave off the still-splendid shot.

After that, the rims turned fairly unforgiving, with La Conner using mini 6-3 and 9-3 runs across the second and third quarter, respectively, to push its lead out to 30-8.

All of the Braves points in those frames came via three-balls, and the one which stung the most was the one which found the bottom of the net with just a half-second left in the first half.

But, after struggling to score against the Northwest 2B/1B League leaders in the game’s first 24 minutes, the Wolves found their shooting touch late, banking home 14 fourth-quarter points.

It started with Blouin swooping to the hoop for a three-point play the hard way — flipping a shot up with her left hand while being hammered about the neck and shoulders.

Knoblich ended things with a pullup jumper in the paint, and in between those two buckets, Georges put on a sweet shooting display.

The fiery Wolf point guard slashed to the basket for a pair of buckets, hit a short jumper off an inbounds pass, and banked home a three-ball off the glass while staring daggers at her would-be defender.

The late-game rush gave Georges a team-high 13 points on the night and bumped her two slots up on the Wolf girls career scoring chart.

With 357 points and counting, she passes big-timers Tracy Taylor (350) and Amy Mouw (353) and sits #28 all-time for a program launched back in 1974.

Blouin tossed in six points in support of her running mate, while Knoblich (2) and sophomore Mia Farris (1) rounded out the scoring attack.

Katie Marti, Lyla Stuurmans, Gustafson, Skylar Parker, Jada Heaton, Madison McMillan, and Lhamon also saw floor time for Megan Richter’s squad.

Defensive dynamos Gwen Gustafson (left) and Lyla Stuurmans harass the ballhandler. (Bailey Thule photo)

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Wheelin’, dealin’, winnin’

February 7, 2023 by David Svien

Landon Roberts suit game, and his passing, are on point. (Sherry Bonacci photo)

Landon Roberts was dealin’.

The Wolf sophomore spread the love Tuesday night, dishing out 12 assists as the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team thunked visiting La Conner 58-30.

The victory, keyed by a 23-0 run in the third quarter, stretches the squad’s winning streak to nine games and counting heading into the season finale.

The Wolves sit at 10-3 on the campaign, with a road trip Friday to Friday Harbor the cherry on the sundae.

Tuesday’s rumble with the Braves marked the final home game for Coupeville’s rising stars, and they controlled things from start to finish.

Six different Wolves made the net jump in the opening quarter, netting buckets as CHS bolted out to a quick 14-8 lead.

From there, Coupeville stretched its advantage to 23-13 at the half, before dropping the hammer during a stellar third quarter.

Aiden O’Neill tickled the twine for seven points coming out of halftime, with Hunter Bronec, Jack Porter, Camden Glover, and Malachi Somes also scoring during that aforementioned 23-0 shellacking.

Coupeville hit from all angles in the game, raining down five three-balls, with Somes and Hunter Bronec netting two apiece.

The Wolves, or at least Glover, were also spot-on at the free-throw line, where the Wolf freshman went a perfect 5-for-5 en route to scoring a game-high 13 points.

Camden Glover (far left on bench) is ready to rock. (Morgan White photo)

Jack Porter (10), O’Neill (9), Hunter Bronec (9), Johnny Porter (6), Somes (6), Hurlee Bronec (3), and Roberts (2) also scored, with Yohannon Sandles and Carson Field rounding out the active roster.

O’Neill’s final point of the night was his 100th of the season, making him the second Wolf JV player to hit triple digits this year.

He joins Madison McMillan, who has tallied 121 for the CHS girls’ team.

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“They left it all on the floor!”

February 7, 2023 by David Svien

Wolf freshman Teagan Calkins pumped in 12 points Tuesday night in a win over La Conner. (Jackie Saia photo)

They went out with a bang.

Playing on their home floor for the final time during the 2022-2023 basketball season, the Coupeville High School JV girls’ ran visiting La Conner off the floor Tuesday night.

Getting points from eight different players, Kassie O’Neil’s squad captured a 52-36 win, giving them a season sweep of the Braves and lifting their record to 7-8.

“The girls kicked ass!” said the Wolf coach. “Such a great last home game.

“They left it all on the floor!”

The Wolf young guns close their season with a road trip Friday to face Friday Harbor, before several swing players join the CHS varsity full-time for the playoffs.

Tuesday’s tilt with La Conner was the first time Coupeville’s JV was in action since Jan. 27, but the layoff didn’t seem to hurt at all.

Madison McMillan hit the floor with fire coming out of her fingertips, raining down 10 points in the first eight minutes, as she and her teammates built an early 18-5 lead.

From there, the teams battled through a 10-10 stalemate in the second quarter, before La Conner pulled out a razor-thin 9-8 advantage in the third frame.

Up 36-24 heading into the fourth, Coupeville closed strongly, with Jada Heaton, Desi Ramirez-Vasquez, Teagan Calkins, and McMillan scoring during a final 16-12 surge.

McMillan and Calkins paced a balanced scoring attack, rattling the rim for 14 and 12 points, respectively, while Kierra Thayer and Heaton both popped for eight.

Ramirez-Vasquez (4), Carlota Marcos-Cabrillo (3), Kassidy Upchurch (2), and Kayla Arnold (1) also tallied points, with Reese Wilkinson, Brynn Parker, Bryley Gilbert, Skylar Parker, and Liza Zustiak chipping in with defense and hustle.

Kayla Arnold waits for a potential rebound. (Jackie Saia photo)

O’Neil, a former Coupeville hoops superstar, is wrapping up her first season as JV coach, and the experience has been hugely positive for her.

Not just in how her players have performed on the floor, but also in how they have carried themselves all season.

“The thing I’m most proud of with this group of girls is that they continue to play with integrity and positive attitudes,” O’Neil said.

“When other teams play dirty, our girls always take the high road, helping others up and apologizing if they hurt someone.

“Win or lose, they play with spirit!”

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Fab frosh rules the pool

February 6, 2023 by David Svien

Coupeville High School freshman Finn Price enjoys life in the pool. (Photos courtesy Rachel Price-Rayner)

A standout swimmer has surfaced at Coupeville High School.

Such a development is rare and fairly unexpected since the institution doesn’t have a pool, or a team, but it has happened from time to time.

From Amanda Streubel to Lily Doyle and the Weinsteins – Rachel and Cole – several Wolves have prospered in the pool while training, travelling, and competing with other schools.

This time around, it’s CHS freshman Finn Price who is putting in the extra work to follow his aquatic dreams.

Since 2B Coupeville doesn’t have its own program, he and his parents worked with CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith to set up a co-op agreement with 4A Kamiak High School in Mukilteo which allows him access to the water.

While Price is responsible for getting himself to practice six days a week — making it a five-hour time commitment per session — he and three swimmers from South Whidbey High School are carpooling with various parents.

It’s a lot of extra effort, but an opportunity the young swimmer greatly appreciates.

“My parents worked with Mr. Smith, who worked with the WIAA and Kamiak to create a co-op agreement, which allowed me to swim,” Price said.

“I’m really glad it came together and I’m grateful for Mr. Smith helping me to be able to swim; it means a lot.”

And he’s not merely swimming but prospering in the pool.

Price qualified for districts in four freestyle events — the 50, 100, 200, and 500 — as well as the 100 breaststroke.

He and his South Whidbey-based teammates, forming a “Whidbey relay” team, would have also qualified in the 200 and 400 freestyle relay events, but weren’t eligible due to co-op rules.

Since swimmers are limited to two events at districts, Price has chosen the 100 and 200, and will compete Feb. 9-11 at the Snohomish Aquatic Center.

The event draws five 4A schools, 16 3A schools, and competitors from co-ops, all vying to punch their ticket to the state championships.

While qualifying in multiple events is a big deal, it’s merely one step to success for Price.

“I would like to make it to state each year, and get a lot faster in all events,” he said.

“It would be great to make the Junior Olympics,” Price added. “Beyond high school, I would love to swim competitively at college, and, if not, definitely intramural.”

Price launches into action.

The Wolf freshman first hit the water as a competitive swimmer in Louisiana at seven years old, while his dad was stationed there with the US Marines.

The sport soon became a favorite.

“I feel relaxed when I swim because it’s just you and the sound of the water,” Price said. “You can block everything out and focus.

“Swimming gives you the best of both worlds because it is a team sport and an individual sport.”

That carries over to his co-op experience with his new teammates.

“Even though I swim for Coupeville and am not part of the Kamiak team, they treat me as though I am one of them and cheer, “Go Wolves” when I swim,” Price said.

“It’s a great environment to swim in.”

Having some companions from The Rock join him on the daily trip is also a huge positive.

“My friends and fellow athletes from South Whidbey have been extremely supportive,” Price said. “And we have acted almost like an island team for the duration of the season.

“Without them, the season would not have been as enjoyable.”

When he’s not swimming, Price enjoys reading and watching movies, while in the classroom he favors English.

“It’s the class I have the most fun in, and the class that makes the most sense to me,” he said.

But it’s life in the pool which captivates him, and Price looks forward to both competitions and the often-rigorous training schedule.

He continues to build on his strengths, while always working hard to overcome hardships and tweak his skills.

“My speed on the open stretches of water (is a strength),” Price said. “(Also), the fact that I’m an early riser, which helps me get to practices on time.

“My starts need some work,” he added. “It has been hard to practice dive starts on the Island, because where I train, outside of Kamiak, I don’t have access to blocks.”

Through it all, his parents and coaches have helped to form an invaluable support crew.

“I would like to thank my parents for driving me to these practices and meets,” Price said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

“Also, (Kamiak) Coach (Chris) Erickson has been extremely supportive and kind. He is one of the best coaches I have had, and I don’t know what I would do without him.

“Finally, my coach in the off season, Coach Rob, has helped train me and prepare me for this, and will continue to do so after the season is over at Kamiak.”

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