Feeds:
Posts
Comments

With a little help from current Wolf cheerleaders, Coupeville’s youth cheer squad ruled the hardwood. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Tomorrow’s cheerleaders were ready for their closeups today.

After putting in the practice, 30 junior cheer participants took control of the hardwood Friday at halftime of the Coupeville High School boys’ basketball game.

Working with the current Wolf cheerleaders, the young women wearing “Power Cheer” shirts debuted to the click-click-click of a million lil’ cameras.

One of those belonged to John Fisken, who delivers us the pics seen above and below.

Let ‘er fly!

Logan Downes rains down buckets. (Chloe Marzocca photo)

The net keeps poppin’, the points keep droppin’.

Coupeville High School basketball players have combined to ring up 2,475 points this season, stretching across varsity and JV contests.

So far, we have six players — four boys and two girls — having topped 100 points, with a bunch more coming up fast.

Now, those with access to more detailed computerized stats can track rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, even the number of offensive charges drawn while playing defense.

Me? I can count points, most days, and scoring is the lifeblood of basketball, so here you go.

Through Jan. 29:

 

Varsity girls
(15 games):

Alita Blouin – 148
Maddie Georges – 90
Ryanne Knoblich – 73
Lyla Stuurmans – 64
Gwen Gustafson – 53
Katie Marti – 34
Carolyn Lhamon – 25
Mia Farris – 21
Jada Heaton – 2
Madison McMillan – 2
Skylar Parker – 2

 

JV girls
(14 games):

Madison McMillan – 107
Kierra Thayer – 58
Desi Ramirez-Vasquez – 52
Carlota Marcos-Cabrillo – 45
Jada Heaton – 34
Reese Wilkinson – 33
Teagan Calkins – 22
Bryley Gilbert – 15
Skylar Parker – 14
Liza Zustiak – 14
Kayla Arnold – 11
Brynn Parker – 7
Kassidy Upchurch – 2

 

Varsity boys
(17 games):

Logan Downes – 390
Alex Murdy – 180
Cole White – 111
Nick Guay – 107
Jonathan Valenzuela – 71
Ryan Blouin – 48
Dominic Coffman – 47
Chase Anderson – 31
Jermiah Copeland – 10
Zane Oldenstadt – 8
William Davidson – 5
Mikey Robinett – 4
Hunter Bronec – 2
Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim – 2

 

JV boys
(11 games):

Hunter Bronec – 89
Aiden O’Neill – 82
Chase Anderson – 71
Jack Porter – 64
Camden Glover – 55
Johnny Porter – 49
Hurlee Bronec – 41
Landon Roberts – 34
Malachi Somes – 34
Mikey Robinett – 6
Carson Field – 4
Yohannon Sandles – 2

Jim Clark rules the diamond. (Photos courtesy Renae Mulholland)

I don’t know it all.

Sometimes it probably reads like I think I do, but man, I maybe know like 7% of Coupeville’s sports history.

And yes, that’s seven, and not 70.

Every day I discover something new, it seems, and my best source of info is you, the people who have lived in this town.

The Whidbey News-Times moved their back issues off the Island a while ago, and stashed them, Raiders of the Lost Ark-style in a warehouse, never to be seen by the light of day again.

But you, my saviors, going through your attics, and basements, and barns, are sitting on a lot of history, and I appreciate it when you pass it on.

Who knows? Someday someone may find my holy grail – Tom Sahli’s basketball scoring stats for the 1951-1952 season.

Could happen…

Anyway, today’s glance at the past gives a glimpse of Jim Clark, who went from being a beautiful brawler to life as a standout diamond dandy.

And check out his opponent in the boxing ring in the third clipping – one Joe Finkbonner.

I know, kid was like nine years old, but I like to imagine a ring announcer going all Michael Buffer on his intro.

“In the left corner, wearing the blue trunks, weighing in at a titanic 68 pounds, the terror of the mainland, Joe “The Fink” … FINKBONNER!!!!”

Boo! Boo! Boo!!!!

And then Jim “The Jab” Clark defends Whidbey’s honor in a thunderous hail of, well, jabs.

Of course, right below the boxing recap is a brief note about Mr. Hilderdink’s small calf being mistaken for a deer and shot to heck by hunters who left their bifocals at home.

Probably high school basketball refs in real life…

A young Hunter Smith waits for the call to serve. (Photo courtesy Charlotte Young)

A new day, and a new direction.

Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball coach Hunter Smith, who inherited the job when his dad Chris stepped down, has left the gym.

After three successful seasons of teaching X’s and O’s, fire academy, a new career, and an impending marriage to fellow former CHS Athlete of the Year Payton Aparicio are ahead on the schedule.

Hunter closed his run as a Wolf coach Friday, guiding his squad to a 20-point win over Friday Harbor, the team’s seventh-straight victory.

As he quietly slipped into the night, Coupeville varsity hoops coach Brad Sherman delivered the following thoughts:

Can’t thank Hunter enough for all he’s done for the Coupeville boys basketball team these past three seasons.

There is a reason the guys that play for him have so much love and respect for him.

And the example he set every day – high energy, positive, calm, humble – made us a better program, and a better coaching staff.

I know our coaches, players, and families are going to miss having him around!

Really excited for him and all that’s ahead in his new position.

Modern-day Hunter and fiancée Payton Aparicio.

Coupeville’s junior cheer squad takes the floor. (Corinn Parker photo)

The future claimed the present.

Halftime of the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball game was dominated by the town’s junior cheerleaders, who showed up 30 girls strong Friday night.

After working with coaches Sylvia Arnold, Cavan Simonson, and Tiffany Hembree, the young squad delivered a “power cheer” performance honed by several weeks of practice.

High school cheerleader Lynn Cosner and Girls Scouts cookie super saleswoman Halle Black hang out. (Photo courtesy Spirit of Cheer Booster Club)

Some of the young athletes will continue with the sport, someday replacing the girls and boys who currently wear CHS cheer uniforms.

Others will move on to other pursuits.

But, for one night, they were here, and they were loud ‘n proud.

Avery Parker is fired up. (Corinn Parker photo)

 

The roster:

Jasmine Allen
Serenity Balder
Scarlet Barnes
Halle Black
Mavis Chevalier
Stella Day
Caitlin Del Russo
Maja Rain Govorcin
Callie Hagen
Leah Hernandez-Gomez
Ella Holm
Autumn Abigail Hunt
Sabrina Judnich
Claire Lachnit
Daisy Leedy-Bonifas
Sophia Magdolen
Kennedy O’Neil
Avery Parker
Crissy Pings-Dockery
Jordin Powell
Annaliese Powers
Emily Rains
Faith Rivers
Reina Rivers
Alyvia Schoene
Milly Somes
Diana Teran Herrera
Scarlette Verhulst
Lou Ella Zito