For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack. (Amy King photo)
Wolf coach David King talks strategy with Madeline Strasburg (left) and Makana Stone while McKayla Bailey (right) watches on-court action. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
They were flat-out the best team on the Island.
With 10 wins, including a thrilling one-point playoff victory over visiting Meridian, the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball team was easily the most successful of the six varsity hoops squads to call Whidbey home in 2013-2014.
Now, with several days having passed since the Wolves reached the end of their journey, CHS coach David King looks back on the season that was. In his own words:
Time to reflect and random thoughts. OK, not so random since I am very calculated with my thoughts.
First and foremost, this team from top to bottom came to compete daily. Not one player settled on what they brought to the court that first day of practice.
They came to get better as a team and as individual players up until the last game. This was evident with the questions about the scouting report they were given on the bus while heading up to the game in Blaine.
I talk about basketball IQ on the first day of practice, then throughout the season. I emphatically can say, our basketball IQ increased from that first day until the last day!
Wolf Pride! We have a plaque hanging inside the locker room hall that states Wolf Pride.
On each paw pad there is a word that helps describe Wolf Pride … at the bottom it states, jump in with both feet or don’t jump in at all.
This plaque is a reminder to the players on what it means to play for Coupeville girls’ basketball.
Even today I was asked if we could leave this up until the last day of school. This player wanted a reminder of what it means and to continue the tradition of touching the plaque when entering and leaving the locker room.
By the way, it’s still up.
This is something we stressed from the beginning and will continue to do so. The players took this to heart and strived to be the best they could.
There are many examples in how they showed this, from putting in extra practice time even though they may have been tired and worn out after three games in one week (multiple times this season) or homework to get done or possibly other commitments.
The spirited practices daily we had. I can honestly say we had very good effort in every practice.
Playing as a team and putting individual goals to the side and putting team first.
We also had the “never give up attitude” from top to bottom. That starts with me, the other coaches, each player on varsity and every single player on JV.
I could go on and on; I’m sure if you asked some players what Wolf Pride means to them you would get many positive answers.
For the season, we gave our best effort win or lose.
This group did not like to lose. When we did lose they reflected on what we could have done differently and what we could do the next day to improve in the areas needed.
We had players step up each and every game.
I felt like if maybe one player was struggling, one or two others picked up their game.
I don’t know how other teams viewed us, but on any given game any player could lead us in scoring. That’s difficult to defend.
Defensively they understood how important it was to our success and this season was very successful.
We have something going on here that is gaining momentum. The competitive spirit of these players and the willingness to put in the work will continue to make us a program that is strong.
The players, both varsity and JV have jumped in with both feet.
Wolf Pride, it’s back!
Coupeville Sports 