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Posts Tagged ‘Boys Basketball’

Balanced Wolves savage Lions

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , , on January 24, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim and friends are 12-4 after drilling Concrete. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“We’d love it if every game was like this.”

The Coupeville High School boys’ basketball coaching staff was in a righteous mood Tuesday, basking in the afterglow of a 66-30 win over visiting Concrete.

It wasn’t just the win, which lifts the Wolves to 5-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 12-4 overall, but how the win was accomplished.

CHS put three guys into double digit scoring — including a career-best performance from bearded banger Zane Oldenstadt — got points from nine players and gave floor time to 13.

That should leave the Wolf starters fresh as they kick off a three-games-in-five-days stretch, while giving the role players a chance to earn big cheers from their home fans.

So, exactly the kind of game you want coming off a fairly lackluster performance Saturday against Neah Bay in a rare loss.

This time around, the Wolves hit the floor with purpose and passion, sharing the ball, making the small plays, and never once taking their collective foot off the gas pedal.

Concrete’s one and only lead came at 3-2 extremely early in the first quarter, and then it was fun times under the bright lights for the run-and-gun Wolves.

Chase Anderson drilled a short jumper to put CHS ahead for good, then snatched a rebound and fed Logan Downes for a three-ball and the rout was on.

Another trey, this one flying off the fingertips of Ryan Blouin, staked the Wolves to a 15-8 lead at the first break.

From there, Coupeville steadily stretched the advantage, with first Anderson, then Hunter Bronec, reeling off three straight buckets.

Five different Wolves scored in the second frame, with Oldenstadt converting putbacks and Downes outsprinting the defense on breakaways, as CHS pushed things out to 36-17 at the half.

Bearded banger Zane Oldenstadt arrives to inflict damage and destruction. (CHS Yearbook Staff photo)

Cole White stepped up to showcase the hot hand in the third, with the final one of his three baskets in the frame coming on a wild play.

A ballet of destruction, playing out precisely in favor of the Wolves, it began with Nick Guay bounding airborne to punch the ball half the length of the floor, before Anderson chased down the errant orb a half-inch away from stepping on the end line.

Flicking the ball back to White, he watched in fascination as his older teammate stopped on a dime, throwing the shot down in one smooth motion as Lion defenders skidded past, silent screams etched on their faces.

Things got really brutal for Concrete in the fourth, as they discovered a painful secret.

Once unleashed, you can’t put Oldenstadt back in the bottle.

Like a genie granting all the wishes — even the one for more wishes — the burly Wolf senior ripped off eight straight points to cap the greatest offensive display of his career.

Known for his rebounding, love of planting fools on their butt while patrolling the paint, and willingness to wear a hollowed-out pumpkin on his head at Halloween, Oldenstadt finished with a hyped-up 12 points.

This, after scoring 13 points total across the first 15 games.

It brought a big smile to CHS coach Brad Sherman’s face as he scanned the scorebook, while Oldenstadt’s faithful fans chanted “More playing time! More playing time!!”

Downes led the Wolves with 15, and on the night when he was honored for becoming the #1 scorer in CHS boys’ basketball 107-year history this past weekend, he passed yet another milestone.

With 1,165 points and counting, he slips past Makana Stone (1,158) to become #3 all-time at the school regardless of gender.

Next up? Novi Barron (1,270), then Brianne King (1,549).

Anderson slapped home 14 to slide in between Downes and Oldenstadt, while White (8), Hunter Bronec (7), Blouin (5), Aiden O’Neill (2), Mikey Robinett (2), and Guay (1) also scored.

William Davidson gets frisky. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

William Davidson, Timothy Nitta, Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim, and Hurlee Bronec also saw floor time for the Wolves, who host South Whidbey Wednesday before traveling to Puyallup Saturday to play Chief Leschi.

 

No JV action:

Coupeville’s red-hot ‘n rollin’ second unit had the night off Tuesday, as the Lions don’t have a JV boys’ team this season.

The Wolf young guns, sitting at 10-2 on the season, return to action Wednesday with a home game against South Whidbey.

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Best of times, worst of times

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

New CHS scoring king Logan Downes is congratulated by one of the men he passed Saturday, Mike Bagby. (Jon Roberts photo)

It was a mixed bag, man.

Saturday’s matchup with visiting Neah Bay was a Jekyll and Hyde sort of experience for the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball squad, with one huge high and way too many lows.

Wolf senior Logan Downes delivered the spotlight moment, drilling a second-quarter three-ball to become the #1 scorer in the 107-year history of CHS boys’ hoops.

But at virtually every other moment, Coupeville, fresh off a huge league win the night before, played its worst game of the season.

Falling 64-41 to the Red Devils, the Wolves looked out of sorts on offense, on defense, and even when taking water breaks.

Not even a fire drill midway through the fourth quarter — with a possibly burnt concession stand hamburger sending the crowd two steps out the front door before everyone got to turn right back around — was a complete success.

The good news is the loss was a non-conference one.

And the upcoming schedule breaks much more in the favor of the Wolves, with Concrete (6-9) and South Whidbey (2-12) coming to Coupeville next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Oh, and the gym didn’t burn down. There’s that, too.

Neah Bay, ranked #5 in 1B by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association RPI, arrived in Cow Town looking for a sixth-straight win, and the Red Devils led from start to finish.

Downes, who entered play needing 11 points to pass Jeff Stone and Mike Bagby for the career scoring title, dropped a pair of three-balls through the net in the opening quarter.

But that was it for offense from the Wolves, who found themselves on the wrong end of a 14-6 score at the first break.

Things didn’t get much better from there, as the visitors stretched the lead out to double digits early in the second quarter, never allowing CHS to get the margin down under 10 the rest of the night.

A third trey from Downes midway through the second quarter gave him the record with 1,138 points, but Coupeville went to the locker room looking for answers and trailing 33-18.

The new scoring king will be honored in a pre-game ceremony at Tuesday’s clash with Concrete.

The Wolves finally seemed to flip a switch, for a moment, opening the third on a 7-2 run, only to have Neah Bay answer with a 10-5 surge of its own.

Things got sloppy in the fourth, with Coupeville throwing bad passes, being outrebounded at a terrifying rate, and being unable to keep any rallies alive.

A late 13-2 run by the Red Devils made the final score seem more lopsided than it really was, but it was never close, either.

Mikey Robinett prepares to get hydrated with Gatorade. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The hometown crowd had one late roar left in its collective lungs for Mikey Robinett, who came off the bench to bank in the game’s final bucket, but that was a small salve.

Downes finished with a game-high 23, running his career total to 1,150, while Chase Anderson rattled the rim for seven points.

Cole White (4), Ryan Blouin (3), Nick Guay (2), and Robinett (2) rounded out the scorers.

Also seeing floor time were Zane Oldenstadt, Hurlee Bronec, Timothy Nitta, William Davidson, Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim, Hunter Bronec, and Aiden O’Neill.

One and all should expect an intense practice Monday afternoon.

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107 seasons, one shooter to rule them all

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , , on January 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Logan Downes, your new Coupeville High School boys’ basketball career scoring king. (Photo by CHS Yearbook Staff)

One man stands alone.

Coupeville High School boys’ basketball launched in 1917, and 107 seasons later Logan Downes has reached the mountain top.

The Wolf senior officially became the #1 scorer in program history Saturday, reaching the mark when he sank a three-ball midway through the second quarter against visiting Neah Bay.

It was 5:36 PM, Pacific Standard Time, and a record which had stood for 54 years finally fell.

Downes finished the game with 23 points, pushing his career total to 1,150.

That breaks a mark set in 1970 by Jeff Stone and tied in 2006 by Mike Bagby.

That duo both recorded 1,137 points during their time in a Wolf uniform, with Stone playing three seasons — 9th graders weren’t eligible for varsity games back then — and Bagby four.

Downes is now #4 overall in school history, chasing Coupeville female legends Brianne King (1,549), Novi Barron (1,270), and Makana Stone (1,158).

The third and final son of Angie and Ralph to play for CHS, Logan follows in the footsteps of big bros Hunter (89 points) and Sage (64).

The young gun opened his high school hoops career during a Covid-shortened freshman season, knocking down 52 points.

He followed up with 172 as a sophomore — playing a key role on a team which won league and district titles en route to the state tourney — before pumping in 554 as a junior.

“There’s more where that came from!” (Bailey Thule photo)

Downes has 372 and counting as a senior, averaging 24.8 a night for a Wolf team which sits at 11-4.

Coupeville has five games left on the regular season schedule, then a possible playoff run.

Downes coach, Brad Sherman, who is the #9 scorer in program history with 874 points, has had an up-close view of his gunner’s career arc.

“It’s been a joy to watch Logan grow as a player and person these past four years,” he said. “Really just proud of him, and how hard he’s worked to be the player he is.

“Logan is a competitor, through and through – you can see it in every aspect of his game.

“For him to reach this milestone is a testament to the hours he’s put in and his drive to be the best he can be to help his team succeed.

“I’ve never heard him mention the scoring record – but what I continually hear him talk about is how to win games. That’s who he is.”

Stone got to 1,137 by scoring 176 as a sophomore, 317 as a junior, and a school-record 644 as a senior.

He would go on to play college basketball before long, successful runs as a teacher, coach, and administrator with Oak Harbor High School.

Looking back at his own glory days, Stone offers congratulations to the two players who joined him at the pinnacle.

“Logan sounds like a solid player on a winning team, that’s what it’s all about!” he said.

“I don’t know about Mike, but I didn’t have a clue on records back when I played, I just wanted to win and do something that hadn’t been done before and that was go to state.

“The career scoring record is long overdue, quite frankly it should have been broken by Mike when he played.”

Stone, who knocked down jumpers in the days of really short shorts and only two points for a bucket even if you shot it from the parking lot, admits he envies the current generation a bit.

“It would have been fun though to play in an era that included dunking, the three-ball and not to mention four years! GO WOLVES!”

Bagby went 137-222-414-364, playing alongside Sherman in the early days of his career.

Part of a family which features numerous big-time scorers, from sister Ashley and brother Jason to dad Ron, who did his damage while growing up in Forks, he agrees with Stone about the importance of individual accomplishments fueling team success.

Coupeville is 49-19 with Downes in the lineup, something the “old school” Wolves appreciate.

“Congratulations to Logan,” Bagby said.

“Not only has he been a great scorer, it’s important to point out the Wolves won a lot of games in Logan’s time at Coupeville. Something he should be extremely proud of.

“Not to mention a state tourney appearance.

“I’m looking forward to watching how much he smashes that scoring title,” he added.

“And I’m sending good vibes to those Wolves as they head down the stretch pushing for another playoff run.”

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‘Canes jab, Wolves drop the haymaker

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chase Anderson flies in for another breakaway bucket. (Jackie Saia photos)

Let the hate flow through you, but channel that anger.

Finding the balance between the light and the dark sides of the basketball force Friday, the Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball players kept their composure under extreme stress and captured a statement win.

Holding off a rough-and-ready Mount Vernon Christian squad 54-51, the Wolves overcame questionable calls and frequent blows to assorted body parts, handing the Hurricanes their first conference loss of the season.

The win, a huge bounce back after a last-second loss to La Conner, lifts CHS to 4-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 11-3 overall.

It also keeps the Wolves right in the mix for a league title, as they chase the Braves (4-0, 11-5) — who they reunite with in La Conner Feb. 6 — and MVC (6-1, 6-10).

Friday’s win was a testament to team play, as Coupeville got something from everyone on the floor.

The ‘Canes made a point of trying to stifle Wolf senior Logan Downes, who entered the night needing 36 points to become the #1 scorer in CHS boys’ basketball history, clamping down on him at every turn.

Or just hitting him repeatedly around the head and shoulders, or anywhere their slap-happy fingers could reach.

Downes responded by finding other ways to set up his team for success, soaring for rebounds, firing floor-length passes to a galloping Chase Anderson, and taking offensive charges.

Teammates like Nick Guay and William Davidson stepped up with huge buckets, then, as the defense slipped a bit here and there, Downes twisted himself into a pretzel to knock down buckets to deflate the ‘Canes at crunch time.

The first quarter was a rock ’em, sock’ em extravaganza, knotted up at 9-9 after eight torrid minutes.

Cole White and Ryan Blouin sacrificed their tail bones, absorbing body blows and drawing offensive fouls on their rivals, while Hunter Bronec fought like a wild man down in the mosh pit that was the paint.

A three-ball off of White’s slender fingertips caressed the net to force the tie, then Downes finally got a sliver of room in which to operate in the second quarter.

He went off for nine points in the frame, with Blouin and White adding daggers, and CHS clung to a 22-21 lead at the half, after a hasty conference at the scorer’s table confirmed the score.

MVC pulled ahead for the final time at 28-26 early in the third quarter, before Coupeville made its move.

A 12-3 run to end the frame included a silky three-ball from Downes and back-to-back big plays from Coupeville’s often unsung role players.

Guay, taking off like a rocket, hauled in a long outlet pass, banking in the ball while being battered in living color, pulling off a three-point play the (very) hard way.

Then it was time for Mr. Twinkle Toes to dance the dance of his people, as Davidson, among the spriest of big men, twirled through the paint, lofting in a soft lil’ jumper to make it 38-31.

Brad Sherman draws up a top-secret play.

The final frame was a donnybrook, with Coupeville getting the lead up to nine, but no higher, while MVC kept making mini runs at tying things up.

Downes banked in nine more points in crunch time, but it was Anderson with the freeze-frame shot to the solar plexus.

Having been body-slammed off the floor, before having his foot ripped off his body at another moment, the slender sophomore was a walking, (always) talking full body bruise.

But, like Muhammad Ali rope-a-dopin’ fools into submission before knocking their heads off, Anderson ignored his aches and pains in the final minute, going airborne and throwing down an eye-popping shot while sliding through a slender space in the defense made for a gnat.

MVC drained a late trey to cut the margin to three but couldn’t buy a miracle at the buzzer as all five Wolves sold out on defense, forcing an awkward heave in the general direction of the rim as time expired.

Wolf coach Brad Sherman gave 10 players floor time in the win, with seven of them scoring.

Downes finished with a gutsy 25, and heads into a Saturday home game with Neah Bay sitting with 1,127 points, needing 11 to pass Jeff Stone and Mike Bagby.

Anderson banked in 11 in support, with Bronec (6), White (5), Guay (3), Blouin (2), and Davidson (2) also tallying points.

Hurlee Bronec, Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim, and Zane Oldenstadt also saw action for CHS, crashing the boards with intensity.

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Too strong, too fast, too good

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Aiden O’Neill delivers in the paint. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Pick your (Porter) poison.

Powered by 28 points from the twin titans, Jack and Johnny, plus another 21 from their brother from another mother, Camden Glover, the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team scorched another foe Friday night.

The deer in the headlights this time was visiting Mount Vernon Christian, which fell, and fell hard, to the rampaging Wolves.

Starting hot, and closing hotter, Coupeville ran away with a 65-47 win, stretching their record to 5-0 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 10-2 overall.

The only thing which can slow down the Wolf JV is the schedule maker, as neither of Coupeville’s next two varsity opponents bring a second squad to Cow Town with them.

That means the JV is off until South Whidbey arrives at the CHS gym Jan. 24.

While they wait for someone, anyone, to try and stand up to them, the Wolf young guns can bask in another stellar performance.

CHS jumped out to a 17-12 lead after one quarter of play, with Glover thumping down low for seven points, and both Porter boys banking in four.

From there, the Wolves kept the lead intact, heading into the locker room up 29-24, then holding on to a 43-40 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

Craig Anderson preaches defense to his young team. (Coupeville High School Yearbook Staff photo)

With Glover back on the floor and pouring in points after battling foul trouble in the mid section of the game, Coupeville closed on a 22-7 tear.

Hitting from all angles, with Glover, Jack Porter, and Malachi Somes knocking down three-balls from deep, the Wolves spread out the offensive love.

Glover led the way with 21, while Johnny Porter tickled the twines for 16 while playing strongly at both ends of the floor.

“Johnny had his best game this year,” said CHS coach Jon Roberts. “Consistently there in the post and cleaning up garbage.

“I wish I knew his assist numbers. He fed Cam all night.”

Jack Porter gave Coupeville a third player in double digits, kissing the glass for 12 points, while Somes (6), Riley Lawless (4), Landon Roberts (3), Aiden O’Neill (2), and Davin Houston (1) joined the offensive attack.

Easton Green and Makai Myles also saw floor time for the Wolves.

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