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RIP to The Zinger

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on December 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Jack Elzinga, a Wolf hoops legend then and now.

They’re a part of the brotherhood of the hardwood, forever.

Wednesday night, Coupeville High School junior Mikey Robinett made his varsity basketball debut, knocking down a pair of buckets to become the 411th player to score for a program which began way back in 1917.

Or at least he’s the 411th player I can document, as there are still many players from the very early days whose names and stats remain hidden behind a veil of prairie fog, their fates bound to long-lost scorebooks.

For every Banky Fisher and Gaylord Stidham, who led the 1939-1940 CHS hoops squad with 44 and 41 points respectively, there remains a bunch of prairie guys from the ’20s and ’30s just out of my grasp.

Which is why it was such a thrill in May 2021 when a program legend suddenly surfaced with new info, gently bemused that I cared so much about his teenage days.

Jack Elzinga filled up the hoops for the Wolves in the early ’50s, then went on to lead an extraordinary life.

One day he Googles himself and finds to his amazement some dude back in his hometown has been name-dropping him on a regular basis.

An email exchange later, with his side of the conversation feeling more like a beautifully handwritten letter, “The Zinger” reveals he’s not only still alive, but possesses info on the 1953-1954 Wolf squad, one of my two holy grails.

Thanks to Elzinga, I’m able to finally lock down finished career numbers for both him and Jerry Zylstra, while getting halfway home in my mission to honor Tom Sahli.

Now, we know for a fact Sahli owns the seventh-best single-season performance by a Coupeville boy, knocking down 409 points as a senior.

Combined with the 310 he tallied as a junior, he sits with 719 points on my list, jumping from #90 to #20 on the career scoring chart.

Now there’s still the matter of that other missing holy grail — a scorebook for Sahli’s sophomore season of 1951-52 — but every time someone cleans out an old barn, hope flutters on the winds.

Thanks to Elzinga’s stats, Zylstra (527 points) moved from #59 to #44 all-time, while Elzinga (770) himself jumped from #25 to #14, then back to #15 after Hawthorne Wolfe passed him last season.

“The Zinger” twice led the Wolves in scoring, rattling the rims for 337 and 309 points as a junior and senior, coming after he notched 124 as a sophomore while playing alongside Sahli.

Last night, after Robinett joined the hoops brotherhood, I was talking to current CHS coach Brad Sherman (#8 all-time on the scoring list) and Elzinga’s name came up.

So today I did my own Google search and was saddened to discover “The Zinger” passed away at age 83 in late August.

His obit mentions he battled heart disease for several years, and in our emails, he mentioned he was likely the only All-District player of his time who had survived polio just five years prior.

In our last exchange, Elzinga capped things thusly:

This has been a ball for me. So happy to share things with someone with your quirky interests.

It was my honor, sir.

Coupeville Sports has opened a door to the past and allowed me, and many others, to remind the world the 106-year tale of Wolf boys basketball is not a dead history, but an ever evolving one.

From Roy Armstrong in the ’20s to Sid Mudgett in the ’50s, from Del O’Shell in the ’80s to Oscar Liquidano in the 2010’s, every player who pulled on the uniform is part of something bigger than themselves.

Why do I write so much about stats — tracking them, name-dropping old school players as new-age players craft their own stories?

Because last night, along with Robinett’s debut, Wolf junior Logan Downes popped for a game-high 17 points, which moves him from 318 points to 335, and bumps him from #91 to #82 on the all-time chart.

That means he passes Jim Yake (331), Aaron Trumbull (330), Brad Brown (328), Charlie Tessaro (328), Utz Conard (326), Ian Smith (324), David Ford (323), Bob Rea (320) and Chris Marti (319) — all heavy hitters.

It doesn’t make their stories any less compelling, but Downes pursuit of excellence gives us a chance to remember what those other players meant to the Wolf program.

Whether you scored 1,137 career varsity points like Jeff Stone and Mike Bagby, or are one of the seven dudes to record exactly one point, you are part of the brotherhood.

Celebrate the past, cheer the present, look forward to the future.

Take a moment to toast “The Zinger,” then show up at the CHS gym tonight as Downes, Alex Murdy, and the current cast square off with Sedro-Woolley, ready to pen another chapter.

 

To read Jack Elzinga’s obit, pop over to:

https://www.gainesville.com/obituaries/pgai0286914

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Wolf boys shred undefeated foes

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on December 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Cole White and Co. romped to a big win Wednesday. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Sometimes perfection is overrated.

The Crescent High School varsity boys’ basketball squad arrived in Coupeville Wednesday night carrying a flawless 5-0 record.

By the time they left Cow Town however, the Loggers were stinging from a 60-14 thumping administered by a well-balanced, high-functioning pack of Wolves.

With the non-conference victory, Coupeville gets to 2-3 on the season, with both of their wins boasting a big enough margin to trigger a running clock.

The losses, all fairly close, came against schools from bigger classifications, as the 2B Wolves are playing a tough non-league schedule to open the season.

Wednesday night’s tussle on the hardwood was over almost before it began, with Coupeville jumping on the Loggers quickly.

Wolf gunners Alex Murdy and Logan Downes each tossed in nine points during the opening quarter, with CHS using a ferocious full-court press to bolt out to a 20-4 lead.

Murdy, bringing extreme pressure as the lead big dog on the defensive end of the floor, made off with several steals, as did running mate Cole White.

Everything was clicking for the Wolves in the early stages, and the final play of the frame was a perfect example.

Coupeville whipped the ball around the arc, all five players touching it, as they ran the clock down and kept the Loggers jumping from side to side.

Then, just a fraction of a moment before the shot clock buzzer sounded, the ball landed in Murdy’s hands, the senior sniper calmly knocked down a short jumper, and all the life went out of Crescent.

The Loggers played hard all night, but it was as if, in that moment, they realized to a man, this was not going to be a fun road trip.

On the other side of the floor, it was nothing but good times for Coupeville.

Jonathan Valenzuela stepped up big in the second quarter, raining down seven points, while Downes and Ryan Blouin both snapped the net on gut-punch three-balls.

Up 39-12 at the break, Coupeville turned in a sterling defensive effort after halftime, holding Crescent to just a single bucket over the game’s final 16 minutes.

Going to his bench for extended periods, CHS coach Brad Sherman gave 13 Wolves playing time, and everyone contributed.

William Davidson and Zane Oldenstadt were terrors on the glass, with Davidson also cartwheeling out of bounds in pursuit of a loose ball and bouncing hard off the back wall.

Immediately jumping to his feet, “The Show Pony” cracked a small grin, shook the cobwebs out of his head, then hit the gas pedal and chased down a rival ballhandler.

The Logger meekly surrendered the ball before Davidson could crush him like a rampaging semi-truck in a Michael Bay film. Sometimes common sense wins out.

And the hits kept coming, with Ryan Blouin arcing in another three-ball while sister Alita, also a superb long-range marksman, nodded in approval.

Toss in a sweet runner for fab frosh Chase Anderson and the rampaging force of nature that is known as Dominic Coffman — stealing balls, crashing hard to the hoop, and scaring anyone stupid enough to get in his path.

Mikey Robinett made a big splash in his varsity debut. (Chloe Marzocca photo)

The night’s biggest cheers, though, were reserved for junior Mikey Robinett.

Making his varsity debut, he became the 411th Wolf boy who I’ve been able to document scoring points in the program’s 106-year history.

Not content to stop with one bucket, Robinett knocked down the final two of the evening.

The first came as he rolled hard to the hoop, the ball popping up in the air, swirling around the rim, then falling gently through the net to the screams of his classmates.

Bucket #2 came on a shot which banked off the glass, as Robinett rose to the moment.

Coupeville spread its offense out, with Downes rippling the nets for 17 and outscoring Crescent by himself.

Murdy (9), Valenzuela (9), Blouin (6), Coffman (5), Robinett (4), White (4), Nick Guay (2), Anderson (2), and Davidson (2) also scored.

Wolves Jermiah Copeland, Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim, and Oldenstadt all saw floor time as well.

The victory kicks off a busy stretch for the Wolves, who host Sedro-Woolley Thursday, then travel to Forks Saturday.

The Wolves bask in the afterglow. (Michael Davidson photo)

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Wolves, Falcons wage furious finale

Posted in Boys Basketball, Middle School, tagged , , , , on December 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Kenneth Jacobsen soars for a tip earlier this season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Levi Dixon is a monster on the hardwood, and his family needs to move to Coupeville.

That’s my takeaway from Wednesday’s middle school boys’ basketball finale, which brought strong South Whidbey squads to the middle of the island.

Fueled by a talented group of 8th graders, the Falcons swept all three games from the hometown Wolves, though one game went down to the wire and the showcase bout was tied at halftime.

How the day played out:

 

Level 1:

Playing without key injured starter Riley Lawless, Coupeville matched South Whidbey for 14 minutes, before young Mr. Dixon went nuclear on the place.

Knocking down 20 of his game-high 28 after halftime, Elijah Dixon’s younger brother helped the Falcons break a 16-16 tie and run away with a 52-32 win.

Seemingly hitting every shot he put up, Levi Dixon netted 14 baskets while accounting for more than half of his team’s points.

Back in the lineup after missing several games with illness, Coupeville 8th grader Jayden McManus went off for a team-best 14 points, while four other Wolves scored.

Mahkai Myles and Davin Houston tallied six apiece, with Chayse Van Velkinburgh rattling the rim for four and Carson Grove adding a bucket.

Sage Arends, Joshua Stockdale, and Nic Laska rounded out Coupeville’s roster on the afternoon.

 

Level 2:

Another game, another Falcon sniper named Levi.

This time around it was Levi Batchelor, whose older siblings Brent and Morgan have starred for many a Falcon squad, and he banked in six points to help South Whidbey pull away for a 36-8 win.

The game was just 2-0 in favor of South Whidbey at the first break, but 11-4, 12-2, and 11-2 runs across the final three quarters sealed the deal for the Falcons.

Liam Lawson sank a pair of jumpers to lead Coupeville with four points, while Roger Merino-Martinez and Charles Hart each added a bucket.

Hunter Atteberry, Cyrus Sparacio, Dylan Robinett, Jacob Barajas, Brantley Campbell, Khanor Jump, and Nathan Niewald all saw floor time for the young ‘n scrappy Wolves.

 

Level 3:

No Levi’s this time, just Drew Staats puttin’ up stats.

The South Whidbey 8th grader torched the nets for 16, as the Falcons rallied late to pull out a 26-21 nailbiter.

Coupeville led 5-4 after one quarter, struggled a bit in the second, then used a 13-6 tear in the third to carry a 19-18 lead into the final frame.

While the Wolves weren’t able to nab the victory, they did spread their offense between four players, with Merino-Martinez throwing down 11 of his team-high 12 points in the third quarter.

Campbell (4), Sparacio (3), and Kenneth Jacobsen (2) also scored in the finale, with Zach Blitch, Jacob Meador, and Dillin Kastner bringing defensive heat.

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Blood ‘n buckets on the prairie

Posted in Boys Basketball, Middle School, tagged , , , , on December 12, 2022| Leave a Comment »

CMS 8th grader Davin Houston played strongly Monday against Sultan. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Blood was shed and buckets were scored — though not always on the correct basket.

The next-to-last set of games for Coupeville Middle School boys’ basketball this season played out to their own funky rhythm Monday afternoon.

How things went down:

 

Level 1:

It was carnage on the hardwood.

Coupeville opened without leading scorer and rebounder Jayden McManus, who is battling illness.

Then, the Wolves took two more nasty hits, as inside enforcer Riley Lawless went down with a “severely sprained ankle” and point guard Chayse Van Velkinburgh got his lip split open by a wayward elbow.

While the remaining Wolves fought aggressively all game, they fell behind early to visiting Sultan and were never able to recover, losing 48-19.

The Turks set the tone of the game in the first quarter, sprinting out to a 21-5 lead while KO’ing Lawless and Van Velkinburgh.

From there Sultan pushed its advantage to 36-11 at the half, though Coupeville held up well during a low-scoring second half.

Wolf coach Jon Roberts praised the play of Davin Houston and Mahkai Myles, who carried the scoring load with eight and six points, respectively.

“Mahkai probably had his best game shooting,” Roberts said.

Lawless knocked down three points before he was knocked out, while Nic Laska banked in a bucket to round out Coupeville’s offensive attack.

Carson Grove, Sage Arends, and Joshua Stockdale also saw floor time for the Wolves.

 

Team 2:

The opening act in the Roger Merino-Martinez Experience, as the Wolf gunner rattled home all of Coupeville’s points in a 49-9 loss.

The speed demon scored every which way, rippling the net on a three-ball and also hitting both of his free throw attempts.

“Roger the Rocket scored on several steals or nice runners up the left side,” Roberts said.

“He surely missed enough buckets to have had another 12 points. We will work on those pesky layups tomorrow.”

Nathan Niewald, Cyrus Sparacio, Charles Hart, Dylan Robinett, Jacob Barajas, Brantley Campbell, and Kenneth Jacobsen rounded out a Wolf roster which is young and inexperienced, but feisty and hard-working.

 

Level 3:

Roger the Rocket kept the nets flipping, going off for another 15 points while coming off the bench in a 54-24 loss.

Coupeville rewarded a group of players who “have been giving max effort” with starts, sending Zach Blitch, Kenneth Jacobsen, Khanor Jump, Hunter Atteberry, and Johnathan Jacobsen out for the opening tip.

The Wolves continued to tinker with their lineup, mixing and matching and seeing what worked best.

“We messed with a tall lineup with a fast guard,” Roberts said. “We went with an all 4-foot-5 and under speed crew, and various other lineups to see if we could fluster Sultan.

“We had a good run in the third quarter,” he added. “All players saw the court and participated in one fashion or another.”

Trailing 36-13 at the half, the Wolves controlled the game in frame three, outscoring the Turks 11-8 with a little unexpected help.

Merino-Martinez tickled the twine for nine of his 15 points in the quarter, while Sultan’s #34 scored on the wrong basket, putting a rebound back up and in while probably wondering why none of the Wolves were trying to stop him.

Among guys actually wearing CMS uniforms, Sparacio rattled the rim for four points, while Campbell netted a three-ball.

 

One more rumble:

The Wolves close their season Wednesday with a rematch against South Whidbey, this time playing in Coupeville.

Tipoff is 3:15 PM.

After that, the CMS girls are next up, kicking off their season in January.

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Two teams, tons o’ thrills

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on December 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Logan Downes flies to the hoop. (Morgan White photo)

Game of the year, regardless of the final score.

The Coupeville High School varsity boys’ basketball team waged a brawl with visiting Sultan Saturday night, falling just a miracle shot shy of knocking off their undefeated foes.

Instead, as a buzzer-beating full court heave failed to find paydirt, the Turks escaped The Rock with a 73-71 win in a double-overtime thriller.

With the triumph, Sultan, which already has victories against Cashmere, University Prep, and South Whidbey — the last by 22 points — rises to 4-0 on the season.

Coupeville drops to 1-3 with the non-conference loss, with all of its defeats coming to bigger schools.

As they prepare to defend their league crown, the 2B Wolves are working their way through a tough patch of early-season foes, with hard-fought losses to a 2A school and a pair of 1A programs.

None was harder fought than Saturday’s tango on the hardwood.

It was the kind of back-and-forth slugfest where neither team led by more than six points in regulation, and one team’s surge was almost immediately met by a run from their foe.

Sultan led throughout the first quarter, but a couple of nice buckets from Wolf point guard Cole White — the first a three-point play the hard way in the paint, the second a pullup jumper — kept CHS close.

Down 13-9 at the first break, Coupeville fought back behind the aggressive two-way play of Nick Guay.

The junior banger drilled three free throws, including one courtesy a Sultan technical foul, to pull CHS within 18-17, before slapping home an offensive rebound to push the Wolves in front.

Sultan answered with its own 8-3 surge, but Coupeville closed the half with back-to-back buckets to carry a 27-26 advantage in at the half.

Logan Downes made off with a steal, then beat everyone down court for a layup, before Guay drilled the bottom out of the net on a three-ball set up by a crisp Ryan Blouin pass.

Coupeville pushed its lead out to five points midway through the third quarter, after Alex Murdy netted one of five three-balls he hit in the game, and things were looking peachy.

But bam, continuing a game long trend, the other team immediately rallied.

Sultan closed the quarter on an 11-2 push — with just Guay rattling home a jumper from the side for the Wolves — before opening the fourth with a quick layup.

Trailing 43-37, it was suddenly Coupeville’s turn to get electric, however.

Murdy and Downes popped three-balls on back-to-back trips up the court, and a 10-0 Wolf run had coach Brad Sherman humming happily.

Little did he, or anyone else in the joint, know the game would go on much longer than expected.

Guay and Murdy had big buckets during the final moments of regulation, with both teams preserving a 53-53 tie with late-game defensive heroics.

Sultan picked an inbounds pass with 22 ticks to play, before a wild almost-final play featured a Coupeville steal on one end of the floor, followed by Sultan snatching the ball back but getting whistled for a travel.

It looked like the refs were going to shank the Turks with a home-town call, whistling a foul with less than a second to play.

But instead of sending Guay to the line to win the game, the zebras decided the hack had been on the floor, and not in the air.

That sent the ball back out of bounds, and Coupeville, while getting the pass in, couldn’t get a shot off before the buzzer ripped through the night air.

So, it was on to overtime for one and all … unless, like me, you were home with a head cold and watching the action unfold on the NFHS Network.

Fully embracing its well-deserved rep as the burning dumpster fire of the streaming world, NFHS promptly ended its broadcast, sending me scrambling and cussing loud enough to probably disturb every cat within a five-mile radius.

What do I want for Christmas?

For someone to come along and spend like $2.41 and make a better high school sports streaming service than NFHS.

That’s what I want.

Anyway, piecing together the first overtime from hearsay and rumors, I can tell you Murdy was feeling it, raining down shots as the teams each tallied eight points.

Alex Murdy rumbles. (Morgan White photo)

Still knotted at 61-61, the Turks and Wolves were off to a second extra period, and I finally found a Wolf Mom broadcasting on Facebook Live.

Cue a brutal start for Coupeville fans, as Sultan rolled out to a 70-63 lead.

But then, even though LL Cool J will tell you not to call it a comeback, that’s exactly what transpired.

Murdy with a three-ball? Splat.

Offensive foul on Sultan? Zing.

Downes nailing a three-ball, then converting two pressure-packed free throws? Boom, baby.

Coupeville was clinging to a 71-70 lead with the ball in Sultan’s hands and less than a half-minute remaining in the second OT.

And give the Turks credit.

They responded like seasoned pros, hitting a runner to reclaim the lead, forcing a Wolf turnover, then converting one of two free throws.

And yet, Sultan still left the door open a crack, clanking two more free throws at the very end, allowing Coupeville to at least dream of a Sportscenter-worthy walk-off full-court shot.

It wasn’t to be on this night, though Coupeville’s coaches left content with the effort their players gave.

“Really cannot say enough about the heart our boys played with,” Brad Sherman said. “Sultan is a really good basketball team.

“Aside from points in book — Cole took three charges, I think,” he added.

“Nick played big tonight and Jon (Valenzuela) is making a lot happen with his hustle plays.”

Murdy paced the Wolves with a season-high 25 points, while Downes slapped home 21 as he topped 20 points for the fourth time in as many games.

Guay added a varsity career-best 16, while White popped for nine as Coupeville got all of its scoring from four players.

Dominic Coffman, Valenzuela, Blouin, and Zane Oldenstadt also saw floor time for the Wolves.

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