Daniel Olson knows proper hydration is important. (Photos courtesy Pat Kelley)
The Wolves huddle before taking the floor.
The experience was invaluable.
While they won’t be coming back from Spokane with any wins, the Coupeville 6th/7th grade SWISH boys’ basketball team learned big-time lessons.
Facing off with more experienced squads at the state tourney, three of whom won trophies, the Wolves discovered what it will take to compete at a higher level.
As the players move upwards through middle school and high school play in the coming years, the weekend trip East may turn out to be a major turning point for Coupeville hoops.
The Wolves opened against Tahoma and jumped out to a six-point lead in the early going, but couldn’t keep it going, eventually falling 53-21.
Tahoma went 3-1 in the tourney, claiming fourth-place.
Game two against Juanita was virtually a mirror image.
Coupeville soared to an eight-point lead after the first eight minutes of play, then stalled out, losing 51-23 to the eventual Consolation Division state champs.
The Wolves came within a play or two of upending Hazen Select of Kent in their third contest, leading all the way until the final minute.
With team scoring and rebounding leader Jake Mitten missing for the final three-and-a-half minutes — victim to fouling out — Coupeville was nipped 43-40.
While Hazen went on to win the consolation bracket, bouncing Oak Harbor by 13, the Wolves wrapped things with a 43-31 loss to Woodinville.
Having survived their longest (three-day) tournament, on the biggest stage they’ve yet seen, the young Coupeville players earned praise from their coaches.
11 of 12 players scored, and, despite the team battling a flu bug, they were competitive every time out.
“Very, very proud of them,” said Pat Kelley.
