Maddie Georges, the best at what she does. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Maddie Georges always sets others up for success.
Across her four-year run as a varsity high school athlete, the Coupeville senior has always put team first.
Part of it is the positions she plays — setter in volleyball and point guard in basketball.
But Georges rises above the constraints of her role, putting her own distinctive spin on each play, each game, each season.
Like others from her generation, she didn’t get her full time on the floor, as a worldwide pandemic carved away games and practice time.
Instead of focusing on what could have been, though, or complaining about also having to fight through injuries, Georges seized every moment she was given.
An All-State volleyball player and an All-League basketball star, she proved to be one of the best to ever wear a Wolf uniform.
Facing off with high-powered La Conner, Georges won this tip battle. (Jackie Saia photo)
On the volleyball court Georges flicked passes left, right, forward, and over her shoulder, mixing up her set-ups to keep the defense always on edge.
What she didn’t do was confuse her own teammates, as she almost always placed her big hitters into position to spray kills, slicin’ ‘n dicin’ hapless rivals.
Coupeville’s primary stumbling block the past couple of seasons has been La Conner, which has collected four straight 2B state titles.
Few teams have toppled the Braves, but, led by Georges, the Wolves came as close as any Northwest 2B/1B League program.
Regardless of the score or opponent, Coupeville’s primary setter never conceded a point, keeping the offense flowing while also racking up great gobs o’ service aces, and even a few kills when the moment dictated.
Georges put a bow on her high school volleyball career by joining Wolf teammate Alita Blouin at the All-State event after her senior season, following in the footsteps of older brother Alex Evans, an All-State baseball player back in the day.
Sharing All-State honors with Alita Blouin. (Suzan Georges photo)
On the basketball court Georges was a cold-blooded assassin, capable of drilling three-balls from all angles, while also a master at crashing to the hoop for hard-earned buckets.
She finished her hardwood run as the #24 scorer in CHS girls’ hoops history, rattling the rim for 407 points.
And yet, if Georges was a bit greedier, she could have been much higher on the list, which launched in 1974.
It’s to her credit that she never simply accepted life as a gunner, however.
Put in charge of Coupeville’s offensive attack, Georges was a largely pass-first player, always looking to get others involved and keep the defense guessing.
A strong passer, a deceptively talented rebounder, and a master at drawing offensive charges after scrambling back into position, she played the complete game, making her team far better for it.
Everyone enjoys hearing the ball splash through the net, but the smart player, the complete player, knows when to rain down shots, and when to sacrifice for the growth of the team.
Georges, always, was the smart player.
Putting a cap on a stellar prep hoops career. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
As she wraps up her high school days, putting a final stamp on academic life this spring, Georges should be in the mix when the school tallies its Athlete of the Year votes from coaches.
Before then, though, let’s take a moment to give her a different honor.
With no spring sports on her schedule, now is a perfect time to welcome the selfless one to the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.
After this, when you slide past the Legends tab at the top of the blog, that’s where you’ll find Georges, fulfilling a destiny I foretold years ago.
A mere young gun, but already a hardwood killer. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
From her days as a precocious young star to her time as a seasoned vet, she has been at the forefront of Coupeville athletics seemingly since her arrival in the world as a baby already rockin’ legendary red hair.
Georges was a softball sensation during her little league days, and could have been a tennis ace, if she had ever given in to my pleas.
But that’s neither here nor there.
Celebrate Maddie for what she chose to accomplish, and how she chose to reach those goals.
Serene on the outside, even when rolling massive side eye at her fan section from time to time, but fiery on the inside, with a burning passion which few can match, she is a great example to young athletes coming up behind her.
Play for the name on the front of the jersey and walk away at the end knowing you truly gave everything you had.
Every school, every town, every team needs a Maddie Georges, but you don’t always get what you deserve.
We did, as Coupeville hit the jackpot with her.
She’s something special, both as an athlete and a young woman, and I hope she knows what a positive impact she made.
Read Full Post »
