Play as a team, win as a team. (John Fisken photo)
The great unknown.
That’s where the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball squad was sailing this season.
For four seasons the Wolves always had #23 to rely on, and knowing Makana Stone was running the court alongside you (OK, almost always ahead of you … she’s fast) had to be a great comfort.
When she graduated and went off to play college ball, it was a major transitional moment.
Makana. Novi Barron. Brianne King. Lexie Black. Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby.
Those are arguably, in whatever order you want to put them today, the five greatest female hoops stars to ever wear a CHS uniform.
Yes, I know, Megan Smith, Sarah Mouw, Marlene Grasser, Ann Pettit, Amanda Allmer, Amy Mouw, Jen Canfield and Tina Lyness are also in the conversation, as are many others.
But those five — Stone, Barron, King, Lex and Ash — are my picks (for today, at least).
Losing one leaves a gaping hole in the program, and that’s what David and Amy King faced this season. Replacing the irreplaceable.
Barring a fully-formed Sarah Mouw suddenly showing up on your doorstep, ready to play her senior season in your cow town, it’s an impossible task.
So the Kings tinkered and cajoled, exhorted and drove, and got 13 players to realize that, while they couldn’t replace Makana on their own, they each could chip in with a valuable sliver of the pie.
And here they stand now, the 2016-2017 Wolf girls hoops squad, having matched last year’s Makana-led team by going 15-4 overall, 9-0 in Olympic League play.
With Klahowya, Chimacum and Port Townsend united in trying to overthrow the “Evil Empire,” every night was a test for Coupeville. And it responded.
And that’s why the team, and I put an emphasis on TEAM, is being inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame today, the sole member of the 84th class to enter these hallowed digital hallways.
Regardless of how they do in the postseason, these Wolves will forever be enshrined up at the top of the blog under the Legends tab.
Because they have, almost without fail, accepted their roles.
Sacrificed where needed, risen up both as individual players and supportive teammates. Realized they are part of something bigger than just themselves.
Bought into “one team, one dream.”
We’re talking about 13 players here, 12 of whom are still with the team, and all of them are very intelligent, driven young women with their own hopes, desires and dreams.
Every player, in their heart, wants to be the “star.” Otherwise, why play?
To be successful as a basketball team, though, athletes have to sacrifice.
To sell out on defense every play, while others get the momentary buzz of scoring baskets.
To make the extra pass, set a screen like it’s life or death, accept constructive criticism from a coach, cheer on a teammate’s success even at a moment when you desperately wish it was you on the court, and not them.
Doing all that is harder than just shuffling off in a corner, pulling back within yourself and wallowing in self-pity.
But it’s also a thousand times more rewarding in the end.
I’m not in the locker room. I’m not in these players homes. I can only go on what I observe from the stands and what I hear.
And based on that, I believe a large part of this team’s success is precisely because 99% of the time, they have truly bought into “One Team, One Dream.”
It’s why they are where they are, a three-time league champ carrying a #1 seed into the playoffs. And it will be the key to any success they have at the next level, both as a team and individuals.
So, congratulations for all have you accomplished, and for the success that still lies ahead, Wolves.
A single player can shine in the moment, but to truly succeed, it takes a team.
Inducted together, as a TEAM:
David King (head coach)
Amy King (assistant coach)
Kyla Briscoe
Tiffany Briscoe
Mikayla Elfrank
Lauren Grove
Kailey Kellner
Charlotte Langille
Kalia Littlejohn
Mia Littlejohn
Lindsey Roberts
Lauren Rose
Ema Smith
Allison Wenzel
Sarah Wright
Skyler Lawrence (manager)
Peytin Vondrak (manager)
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