Hawthorne Wolfe and the CMS 7th grade varsity are 4-2 after a big win Thursday. (John Fisken photo)
Heading off to the wilds of Forks. (Bob Martin photos)
Get away from the snow and things are actually pretty dang scenic.
Sage Downes and his 8th grade teammates put up a strong fight, but fell to a high-powered offense. (Fisken photo)
No baskets. Ever.
Employing a blistering man-to-man defense Thursday, the Coupeville Middle School 7th grade varsity boys’ basketball squad froze out host Forks.
Holding the Spartans to a measly five points over the game’s first 24 minutes, the Wolves ran away with a 23-16 win in their first game in three weeks.
The victory lifts Randy King’s team to 4-2 on the season, and was the highlight on a day when Forks won two of three games.
Coupeville was nipped 46-38 in the 7th grade JV game while the 8th grade varsity fell 67-25.
Kicking off the second half of its 10-game season, CMS made its longest trek of the year, braving the snow (and alleged twinkly vampires).
The 7th grade varsity was on point from the opening tip.
“Defense. How’s about that 7th grade defense?,” King said. “Gave up one in the first and two in the second. And they were good!
“We didn’t shoot great but the “D” was incredible,” he added. “We are figuring it out!”
After combining for just 18 points in the first three quarters (the Wolves led 13-5), the two squads threw down 21 in the fourth.
Connor Barton paced CMS with 12 points, pouring in buckets in all four quarters.
He scored four in the final quarter, teaming with Hawthorne Wolfe, who knocked down all four of his points down the stretch, to keep Forks at bay.
Grady Rickner swished both of Coupeville’s free throw attempts in the fourth, as well, allowing the Spartans no hopes of launching a comeback.
Xavier Murdy rounded out the Wolf offense, dropping in five on the afternoon, while Caleb Meyer, Cody Roberts and Logan Martin also saw floor time.
7th grade JV nipped:
Coupeville had only six players, making for a lonely bench, but actually got stronger as the game went on.
Toss out a 20-8 Forks run in the first quarter, and the Wolves were the better team over the final three quarters to a 30-26 tune.
Gabe Shaw was a one-man wrecking crew, hammering home 14, while Martin added seven of his 10 in the fourth.
Logan Wertz (5), Roberts (5), Aiden Burdge (4, including a three-ball) and Jonathan Carroll rounded out the roster.
8th grade falls:
A slow start and a rough finish doomed the Wolves.
Jake Mitten banked home 11, while Daniel Olson chipped in with 10 to provide most of Coupeville’s offense.
Alex Jimenez and Dakota Eck each added a bucket, with Sage Downes and Ben Smith providing defense and hustle.
Coupeville Sports 