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Wolves, train with a pro

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Pro hoops star Makana Stone will be back in her high school gym.

The pro is coming home, and you can share the hardwood with her.

Coupeville High School grad Makana Stone, who has played for pay in England and Norway, will be back on the courts of her teen years in August.

The former Wolf ace, who averaged 20 and 20 a night while guiding CHS to the state basketball tourney as a senior, went on to a distinguished four-year hoops career at Whitman College.

After that came a wildly successful season at Loughborough University in the land of tea and crumpets, and then year-long stints with pro teams in Leicester and Baerum.

Most recently, Stone paced her Norwegian team to a second-place finish in the seven-team Kvinneligaen.

Playing in 26 of her team’s 27 games — the flu sent her to the sideline on one game day — Coupeville’s progeny finished with 468 points, 292 rebounds, 66 assists, 65 steals, and 11 blocked shots.

Now, Stone will spend part of her summer vacation running basketball clinics at her former high school.

The first one, which is set for August 4-6, is for players entering grades 2-6.

Cost is $60 per day or $150 for all three days, with sessions running from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

After that, an elite skills clinic Aug. 11-13 is aimed at those going into grades 6-12.

The morning session (grades 6-8) is 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, with an afternoon session (grades 8-12) from 1:00-4:00 PM.

That clinic is $65 per day or $175 for the full experience.

For more info and to register, follow the various paths offered by the poster at the top of the story.

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Hoops legend’s daughter writes own success story

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Danica Strong, out and about with her faithful canine companion. (Photo courtesy Danette Beckley)

It’s sort of like coming home.

Danica Strong, and younger sister Dakota grew up in Whatcom County and attended schools in Idaho last year.

But, with a family move to Whidbey Island, the sisters have landed at Coupeville High School, where their mom, Danette Beckley, was a hoops star in the ’80s.

For Danica, who plays basketball and softball — when she’s not revving her dirt bike or hiking with her Cardigan Corgi, Ori — the change has been successful.

“The transition to Coupeville is going great,” she said.

“The girls on the summer basketball team welcomed me and made me feel comfortable and confident in our team environment.

“The sense of community here is very warming and welcoming to new people, which helped me fit in.”

Danica played several seasons of softball, let it go for a while, then picked her mitt back up last season as a high school freshman in Caldwell, Idaho.

Basketball, however, has been her constant go-to.

She first stepped on court in kindergarten, started playing club ball in 6th grade, and was the lone freshman on a JV team at a 4A high school last year.

“Basketball is my favorite sport because I have been playing it the longest,” Danica said. “And I succeed the most in it.

“I love the constant action of the game and the mental and physical challenges it proposes.”

As she progresses with her hoops career, Danica aims for success, and puts in the work to make her dreams a possibility.

“I enjoy being an athlete because it keeps me in shape and gives me something that I can always get better in and will never be able to perfect,” she said.

“I love the teammates you make and the leadership that being an athlete brings you.”

Danica ranks “leadership, commitment, and persistence” as her strengths, while continuing to work to find the right mix of being passionate and intense, without playing out of control.

“One thing I need to work on is keeping my temper down and not getting too heated in a game,” she said with a laugh.

Having strong coaches has helped her chase that balance, both on and off the court.

“My number one mentor was my freshman year basketball coach,” Danica said. “Coach Caron was someone who always pushed me to be my best and always knew I could handle any task he would give me.

“He never doubted me once and always had faith that I could do whatever I put my mind to.

“Off the court he really mentored me and helped me through some of the toughest months of my life by just making me laugh.”

Equally as important to her growth, as a player and a young woman, have been the friends she has made through basketball.

“The second person that has stood out to me is my teammate from last year, Rissa,” Danica said. “Rissa was an upperclassman that I looked up to since day one.

“She always made sure I never hung my head and always put a smile on my face,” she added.

“She saw how stressed I was while being the only freshman on a 4A JV basketball team and always reminded me I wasn’t alone, and I always had her and my other teammates to count on.

“Ever since tryouts I have always looked up to Rissa and have always tried to play with as much fire as she plays with.”

Now, Danica and her sister are in a new town, but one where mom and aunt Jana (Beckley) Bouzek connect them to the past.

The future is bright, and, while her family members have a strong sports legacy in Cow Town, Danica gets to write her own story.

That’s something she’s looking forward to.

“My goal for my high school career is to contribute to the girls’ basketball team and hopefully make a state appearance,” Danica said.

“My more personal goal for my high school career is to get a college scholarship so I am able to play the sport I love as well as further my education.”

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“Good attitudes lead to good games”

Posted in Basketball, Softball, tagged , , , , , on July 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Wolf freshman Dakota Strong is bringing her hoops game to her mom’s hometown. (Photo courtesy Danette Beckley)

The circle is complete.

Dakota Strong (and big sis Danica) have returned to the stomping grounds of their mother and aunt, ready to add their own chapters of success to the family’s story of athletic achievement.

Mom is Danette Beckley, who formed a potent one-two combo on the hardwood with Judy Marti in the ’80s, and she currently sits #44 on the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball career scoring chart.

Aunt Jana (Beckley) Bouzek joined her big sis on the softball diamond, playing for Libbey’s Little Ladies, which was coached by Dakota and Danica’s grandfather, Joe.

But the year is 2023 and the spotlight turns to focus on a new generation.

After stints in Lynden and Idaho, Dakota Strong will be a freshman at CHS this fall, and one with an eye on making an impact for the Wolf basketball program.

She has played for both school and club teams, and she and her sister have already suited up for Coupeville’s summer squad.

“My favorite sport is basketball because it’s been a significant sport that has been in my family for many years,” Dakota said. “And it’s brought me and my sister closer together over the years.”

Having an older sibling willing to provide her with support has been invaluable.

“She has more experience in the sport than I do, and instead of putting me down she always offers to take me to the gym,” Dakota said.

“At practice she encourages me to work harder and gives me pointers on things she notices.”

While basketball is the frontrunner, Dakota has also played softball and “loves riding horses.”

She was a barrel racer previously but has largely transitioned to riding for fun these days.

Dakota and Danica both possess an exploring nature, one which fits with the various locations in which they’ve lived.

“I enjoyed going to the lake a lot with my sister when we lived in Idaho,” Dakota said. “Since we moved (to Whidbey), we have been going to beaches together and seeing new places.”

The rising young star is quick to encourage her teammates, which pays benefits in many ways.

“I see that as a huge part of the sport,” Dakota said. “Having confidence in your teammates and yourself benefits the whole team.

“Good attitudes lead to good games.”

Playing sports is often an ideal way to make new friends, and build a strong support crew, something she appreciates.

“What I enjoy about being an athlete is the new people it brings into my life,” Dakota said. “I also enjoy the structure it brings and accountability that it teaches.”

As she prepares for the start of her run at a new school, the future is wide open.

“My goals for my high school sports career are to try new things and hopefully find new experiences and opportunities through sports,” Dakota said.

“I also would like to step out of my comfort zone in certain skills areas throughout the years.”

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“My goal is to work harder every day”

Posted in Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, tagged , , , , , , on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Haylee Armstrong hangs out with dad after a summer softball tourney win. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

“It’s nice to have a scare every now and then.”

That’s why, away from the world of sports, where she plays volleyball, basketball, and softball — both school and travel ball versions — Haylee Armstrong enjoys horror flicks like The Conjuring.

But it also carries over to the diamond and court, where the incoming Coupeville freshman often delivers performances which freak out rival players and coaches.

Case in point was this past spring, when Armstrong spent most of the season as a starter for the CHS varsity softball team — while still attending classes in middle school.

She hit .467 at the plate as an 8th grader, showed off a strong glove (and arm) as an outfielder and pitcher, and slammed an out-of-the-park home run to dead center.

Fresh off winning Rookie of the Year honors from Wolf coaches, Armstrong is spending a chunk of her summer traveling with the Whidbey Island Thunder select softball squad, while also prepping for high school volleyball and basketball.

She enjoys all of her sports, but has a special connection to diamond life.

“Softball is my favorite because you get to throw the ball as hard as you want and take your anger out during batting,” Armstrong said.

“I’ve been told I’m like a Swiss Army knife; I can play any position where I’m needed.”

While she’s likely to pile up strong individual stats, Armstrong is a team player through and through, looking to elevate her teammates and reveling in their accomplishments as much as her own.

“I love the joy when everybody screams at that last game winning point or run during games,” she said.

Dancing into a bright athletic future. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A strong math student who likes that class because “once I learn a lesson, it snaps instantly,” Armstrong also enjoys the music of Olivia Rodrigo, “because her voice is really beautiful.”

As she enters high school, the hard-working teen has her eyes set on leaving her mark.

“My goal is to make varsity, be a leader to younger athletes, and work harder every day to be a better person than I was the day before,” Armstrong said.

She wants to work on her “hitting form and shooting form” going forward, while listing her athletic strengths as “leadership, listening, and following the instructions given to me by my coaches.”

Her parents, Joe and Michelle, are her role model, her primary support crew, and her chauffeurs, and she deeply appreciates them.

“They have made an impact on showing me I can do anything I set my mind on,” Armstrong said.

Playing sports year-round, she’s had plenty of mentors, all with something to teach her.

“My coaches have always encouraged and pushed me to do my best,” Armstrong said.

“Coach Aaron (Lucero), Coach Kevin (McGranahan), Coach Lark (Gustafson), Coach Cris (Matochi), Coach Kassie (O’Neil), and Coach K (Katrina McGranahan) have made a huge impact on how I play and where I learned to play.”

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Hard worker, rising star

Posted in Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, tagged , , , , , , on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Capri Anter watches diamond action unfold. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Sports is the great uniter for Capri Anter.

The three-sport athlete, who plays volleyball, basketball, and softball, uses athletics to build strong relationships with her teammates.

“I enjoy getting to play with others, and, when I don’t know them, I get to know them more during the sport,” Anter said.

Part of a rock-solid group of incoming freshmen Wolf student/athletes, she’s already worn a high school uniform, playing with Coupeville’s varsity softball squad as an 8th grader this past spring.

Anter saw time in the pitcher’s circle, flinging heat at rival hitters, while also racking up some offensive stats, including cracking a double in a home win over La Conner.

But while she can join teammate, and cousin, Haylee Armstrong, as five-year softball players if everything works out, it’s an indoor sport which is her current top pick.

“My favorite sport is volleyball,” Anter said. “Because I love that my teammates are very supportive even when you or someone messes up on accident.

“I also love that my teammates always tell me what I need to fix, and how to fix it when the coaches are busy helping others.”

Away from the diamond or court, Anter can be found hanging out with family and friends, watching “mainly scary movies like Smile and It,” and enjoying music from a wide range of genres.

“Pop, rock, some country, rap, and some more,” she said.

Math class is her favorite so far, while Anter likes to draw pictures for those close to her while “on the phone with one of my friends or just listening to music.”

Anter and cousin Haylee Armstrong form a dynamic duo. (Jackie Saia photo)

With three sports on the menu, she’s got a lot going on, but is merely doing what she loves.

While still a fairly young athlete, Anter takes a clear-eyed view of what she brings to her teams, and where she’d like to continue to grow.

“I think my strengths as an athlete are that since I stay pretty active in them and I enjoy them a lot, I try really hard to do the best I can to get better at them, especially volleyball and softball,” she said.

“The areas I’d like to work on are communicating more and getting to the ball,” Anter added.

Her support staff is large, and she happily leans on them for encouragement and positive reinforcement.

“There are some people who have made an impact on me and helped make me the person I am,” Anter said.

“Those people are Katie (Marti), Mia (Farris), Jada (Heaton), Grey (Peabody), Teagan (Calkins), Haylee (Armstrong), and Taylor (Brotemarkle).

“Also, all my coaches, family that have played these sports, friends, and friends’ family that have played these sports.”

With her high school days ahead of her, Anter is approaching her new adventure with an open heart.

“My goals are to have positive self-talk, communication, and listen to whomever is trying to help me better myself.”

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