Coupeville Sports

Hoops event needs volunteers

March 15, 2022 by David Svien

Tasty treats await basketball players during the 2017 Hoopaholics event at Coupeville High School. (Amy King photo)

If you volunteer, they will play.

After a long pandemic pause, Hoopaholics is planning a return to Coupeville this summer, with a weekend of basketball and fellowship set for June 17-19.

The event, which draws numerous adult hoops players to Camp Casey and the Coupeville High School gym, needs a fair number of hands to make sure everything runs right.

Amy Briscoe is looking for volunteers who are interested in things such as food prep, baking, scorekeeping, and laundry services.

If you’re a veteran of past Hoopaholics events, great. If you’re a first timer, no worries.

“I would love some veterans, and I would also love to meet some new people!” Briscoe said.

The three-day event is a financial boon both for businesses in Coupeville, and the CHS basketball programs, as Hoopaholics donates to support Wolf basketball players.

For more info, or to volunteer, contact Briscoe at (360) 632-2229.

Posted in Basketball | Tagged Amy Briscoe, Basketball, CHS Wolves, Hoopaholics, volunteers | Leave a Comment »

Wolf hoops stars get major props

March 14, 2022 by David Svien

Coupeville senior Xavier Murdy capped his prep hoops career by being tabbed the Northwest 2B/1B League MVP. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Brad Sherman, who led the CHS boys to state for the first time since ’88, was named Coach of the Year by his peers.

Dominate the season, dominate the awards.

The Coupeville High School boys basketball team swept to a Northwest 2B/1B League title this winter, finishing 11-0 against conference rivals.

Now, the Wolves have been rewarded for their play, sweeping both MVP and Coach of the Year, in addition to seeing four other players earn honors.

Senior Xavier Murdy, who paced Coupeville in virtually every stat category, was picked by NWL coaches as the best player in the league for the 2021-2022 season.

His own mentor, Brad Sherman, who led CHS to a 16-2 record, a league title, a Bi-District crown, and a trip to state, earned Coach of the Year honors.

Wolf seniors Hawthorne Wolfe and Caleb Meyer were tabbed as First-Team All-League players, with junior Alex Murdy landing Second-Team status.

Sophomore Logan Downes, who came off the bench to become Coupeville’s #3 scorer this season, was an Honorable Mention selection.

Complete All-League awards:

MVP:

Xavier Murdy — Senior — Coupeville

Coach of the Year:

Brad Sherman — Coupeville

Sportsmanship:

Concrete

First-Team All-League:

Diego Lago — Junior — Orcas Island
Caleb Meyer — Senior — Coupeville
Dylan Roberson — Senior — Friday Harbor
Hawthorne Wolfe — Senior — Coupeville
Nick Wyatt — Junior — Mount Vernon Christian

Second-Team All-League:

Owen Aamot — Junior — Concrete
Billy DeJong — Junior — Mount Vernon Christian
Alex Murdy — Junior — Coupeville
Julian Pedrosa — Senior — Mount Vernon Christian
Isaiah Price — Junior — La Conner

Honorable Mention:

Logan Downes — Sophomore — Coupeville
Ben Rozema — Junior — Mount Vernon Christian
Miles Sidzyik — Senior — La Conner
Sam Sutton — Sophomore — Orcas Island
Phoenix Tillequots — Senior — Darrington

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged All-League, Boys Basketball, CHS Wolves, MVP, Northwest League, Xavier Murdy | Leave a Comment »

Hardwood honors rain down

March 14, 2022 by David Svien

Senior Grady Rickner won the Hard Hat Player of the Year award Monday as Coupeville High School boys basketball capped its best season in decades. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

First the hard work, now the hardware.

Coupeville High School basketball players and coaches capped off the program’s most-successful season in decades Monday, handing out letters and awards at a team banquet.

Dodging frequent Covid tests, and adapting to an ever-changing schedule, the Wolves soared.

Coupeville’s varsity finished 16-2, won its first league title since 2002, claimed a district crown for the first time since 1970, and advanced to state for the first time since 1988.

While the JV didn’t reach those same win totals, the Wolf young guns showed considerable promise and were competitive every time out.

Xavier Murdy headlined the awards banquet, taking home team MVP honors, while Caleb Meyer and Alex Murdy were honored as Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.

Grady Rickner closed out his prep hoops career by taking home the Hard Hat Player of the Year award.

That honor goes to a Wolf who “embodies the hard hat mentality,” said CHS head coach Brad Sherman. “Hard work, dedication to the little things, commitment to being a great teammate every day.”

Hawthorne Wolfe, a four-year varsity starter who finished with 800 career points, received “Mr. Basketball 2018-2022” honors.

“This recognition goes to an individual who showed an exceptional commitment to the Coupeville basketball program throughout their basketball career,” Sherman said.

“This is a person who is Coupeville basketball through and through.”

Hawthorne Wolfe finishes as the #14 scorer in the 105-year history of Coupeville boys basketball.

Xavier Murdy and Rickner were also honored for their work as varsity captains, while the duo joined Logan Martin, Miles Davidson, and Wolfe as four-year players.

At the JV level, Zane Oldenstadt (Hard Hat), Ryan Blouin (Offensive Player), and Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim (Defensive Player) were honored.

Oldenstadt and Nick Guay were noted for their work as JV captains, while David Somes was recognized for everything he did as team manager.

Zane Oldenstadt is a star today, and likely a star tomorrow.

Rounding out the awards, Sherman and assistant coaches Greg White, Hunter Smith, Randy Bottorff, and Arik Garthwaite also hailed a trio of behind-the-scenes stars.

“Courtney Pilgrim for her continued commitment and hard work for the team year in and year out,” Sherman said.

“Dan Verduzco, our custodian, for always making sure we have the best facilities anywhere and for the constant support and encouragement he gives to our athletes, and Phil Jump, our bus driver, for taking us to every corner of the state this season.”

Varsity letter winners:

Dominic Coffman
Logan Downes
Logan Martin
Caleb Meyer
Alex Murdy
Xavier Murdy
Grady Rickner
Jonathan Valenzuela
Cole White
Hawthorne Wolfe

Varsity participation certificates:

Hunter Bronec
Nick Guay
Zane Oldenstadt

JV participation certificates:

Ryan Blouin
Hunter Bronec
Hurlee Bronec
William Davidson
Carson Field
Nick Guay
Zane Oldenstadt
Jack Porter
Johnny Porter
Landon Roberts
Mikey Robinett
Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged awards banquet, Boys Basketball, CHS Wolves, Grady Rickner, Hawthorne Wolfe | Leave a Comment »

X-Man tabbed for All-State game

March 14, 2022 by David Svien

Coupeville’s Xavier Murdy will play one more high school basketball game. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

He’s not done just yet.

Basketball gear has been turned in, and he’s moved on to the baseball diamond, but the hardwood still calls to Xavier Murdy.

The Coupeville High School senior has been tabbed to play in the WIBCA All-State game this Saturday, Mar. 19.

The event, put together by the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association, goes down at Curtis High School in University Place.

There are three games, with each bout — 4A vs. 3A, 2A vs. 1A, and 2B vs. 1B — featuring a collection of the best senior hoops stars in Washington state.

Murdy is slated to appear in the 2B/1B game.

He’ll by joined on the 11-man 2B roster by players such as Jackson Esary of Kalama, Gary Dotson of Morton-White Pass, and John Lustig of Colfax.

During his senior season, Murdy led Coupeville in scoring and rebounding, helping fuel the program’s best performance in decades.

The Wolves finished 16-2, winning their first league title since 2002, capturing their first district crown since 1970, and advancing to the state tourney for the first time since 1988.

Murdy tallied a game-high 24 points against Kalama in Coupeville’s state opener, then tossed in 10 more against Lake Roosevelt in game two.

Posted in Boys Basketball | Tagged All-State, Boys Basketball, CHS Wolves, Tacoma, Xavier Murdy | Leave a Comment »

JV sluggers roar on opening day

March 14, 2022 by David Svien

Freshman Mia Farris whacked a triple Monday, sparking a 15-5 win for Coupeville JV softball. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Not even Mother Nature could slow them down.

Jumping on host Burlington-Edison from the first pitch Monday, the Coupeville High School JV softball team rolled to a 15-5 win in a game shortened to three innings by bad weather.

It was an almost-perfect start to the new season for the Wolf young guns.

“It was a great way for players to see and experience a softball game,” said CHS coach Katrina McGranahan.

“The weather was not great, but they held out and played with their hearts.

“There are definitely some areas that need improvement,” she added. “But I think that’s something all coaches say, and I can’t wait to see where this season goes.”

Freshmen Mia Farris and Chloe Marzocca combined to hold Burlington largely at bay while flinging BB’s from the pitcher’s circle, while 8th grader Teagan Calkins shone brightly with her play at catcher.

“Teagan was awesome behind the plate despite how wet and cold it was,” McGranahan said. “After every inning she was covered in mud.

“She had very little passed balls and was dropping like crazy to stop them.”

Wet, cold, but triumphant. (Photo courtesy Christi Messner)

Coupeville took advantage of a ton of walks to get the scoreboard jumping, but also got several key hits.

Melanie Navarro and Farris both crushed triples, with Katie Marti bopping a double.

“We had some good hits, which was great to see,” McGranahan said. “Especially because it helps show the other girls that it can be done, and it gives them that much more energy and drive to play.”

The Coupeville coach, herself a former softball star for the Wolves, was also very pleased with the hustle and chatter she heard.

And not just the chatter of teeth on a cold, wet day.

“Jada (Heaton) was constantly moving and talking to the girls, keeping everyone in the game despite how cold we all were,” McGranahan said. “Never have to question her heart.”

Maya Nottingham, Lily Leedy, Camryn Clark, and Violette Huegerich rounded out the active roster for Coupeville on this day, with all of them reaching base.