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Posts Tagged ‘district tourney’

CWLL sluggers chase state tourney dreams

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on June 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Have bats, will bash. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Two victories away from a big-time road trip.

The Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball squad carries an undefeated 12-0 record into the District 11 tourney, which runs June 26-28 at Oak Harbor’s Volunteer Park.

The Wolves — featuring 12 Coupeville girls, plus one additional postseason player from both South and North Whidbey — clash with Sedro-Woolley in a best 2-of-3 series.

The games, played on the Juniors field next door to the John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool, kick off at 6:00 PM each night.

Whichever team emerges from the royal rumble holding the district trophy advances to the state championships in Vancouver.

That tournament is July 1-9.

Central Whidbey spent the regular season bashing the living snot out of the softball, scoring in double digits in each of its 12 wins, with two of those coming against Sedro-Woolley.

The Wolves got contributions from everyone on the roster — at the plate, in the field, and from the pitcher’s circle.

Staff ace Adeline Maynes, one of five Wolves likely making their final little league run as they can play high school ball next spring as 8th graders, was lights out all season when flinging heat.

Coupeville coaches, however, are taking the long view, not letting their players get too infatuated with their stellar stats.

You still have to perform if you want to advance.

“I’ve impressed upon our players that it’s a brand new season with postseason play,” Aaron Lucero said.

“While I’m pleased with the result of the work the players have put in thus far, our work is just starting, and we cannot take anyone lightly.

“We have to continue execute on the little things.”

 

Central Whidbey’s playoff roster:

Samantha Antonio
KeeAyra Brown
Emma Cushman
Ava Lucero
Olivia Martin
Adeline Maynes
Allie Powers
Cassandra Powers
Selah Rivera
Chelsi Stevens
Kennedy Strevel
Cameron Van Dyke
Sydney Van Dyke
Mary Western

 

With such a quick turnaround between districts and state, the Wolves are scrambling to raise money to help with the hoped-for trip to Vancouver.

If you’re interested in helping out, checks made out to Central Whidbey Little League can be mailed to P.O. Box 222, Coupeville, WA 98239.

Or you can also use Venmo to pay Wolf Mom Kelly Powers at  https://account.venmo.com/u/Coupeville2029.

If the Wolves don’t make it to state, any money raised will go to help CWLL programs.

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Strong season, fab future

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on June 23, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Capri Anter, ready to destroy the hopes and dreams of rival pitchers. (Allison Scarpo photos)

The final game doesn’t tell the entire story.

The Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball squad is a high-flying group of talented young women, with bright diamond futures ahead of them.

So, while Thursday’s season-ending 28-9 loss to a red-hot Sedro-Woolley squad hurts, it’s a bump in the road, and not the end of the journey.

The Wolves, who finish 13-6 this season after being knocked out of the District 11 tourney, will be back.

Central Whidbey won’t be going to the state championships this time — Sedro claims that ticket thanks to Thursday’s win at Rhododendron Park — but the prairie powerhouses have much to look forward to in years to come.

“The girls came a long way this year and will continue to develop,” said Wolf coach Aaron Lucero. “Excited to see them grow in the future.

“Always tough when a season ends – that part never changes, but we’ll get there.”

“And just where do you think you’re going?!?!”

Central Whidbey beat Sedro during the regular season, but the visitors were locked-in during what turned into an elimination game.

“Sedro has a good core, including solid pitching, fielding, and hitting,” Lucero said. “Hats off to them.”

Lucero and fellow Wolf coach Lark Gustafson also work with the Coupeville High School softball program, and the hope is for the CWLL players to keep moving upwards together, rung by rung.

The diamond guru praised his players, and their families, for their work and commitment.

“Families (were) all supportive,” Lucero said. “Really one of the best groups of parents I’ve ever had, and I think this is my 15th year coaching.”

One team, one dream.

Thursday’s game wasn’t a blowout until the end, as Central Whidbey hung tough through the first two innings.

The Wolves pushed across a pair of runs in the first, then plated seven runners in the second, trailing just 12-9 at that point.

The killer was the third frame, however, as Sedro erupted for 16 runs, eventually forcing the mercy rule to be enacted.

Haylee Armstrong and Capri Anter paced Central Whidbey, both scoring twice, while Sydney Van Dyke, Adeline Maynes, Alison Powers, Cameron Van Dyke, and Emma Cushman also tapped home plate.

Michelle Michaud, Chelsi Stevens, Rhylin Price, Ava Lucero, and Amelia Crowder complete the Wolf roster.

“On to next season!”

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Make ’em Bow Down to Cow Town!

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on February 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

(Photos by JohnsPhotos.net, Michele Murdy, and Megan Somes)

One night, two teams, one dream.

The Coupeville High School basketball squads take the floor Thursday night in their home gym, with La Conner the opponent, and District 1/2 titles (and berths to the state tourney) the goal.

The Wolf girls tip at 5:15, boys at 7:00.

As Coupeville prepares to bring the heat, a go-get-’em from some of their most-fervent fans.

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Playoff fever captivates the nation

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on February 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Abby Mulholland powers to the hoop. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Middle school hoops players hype up high school stars Grady Rickner and Caleb Meyer. (Megan Somes photo)

Big games, big moments.

Six teams enter the District 1/2 basketball tournament — which starts Tuesday in Coupeville — with two teams guaranteed of punching a ticket to state.

There’s a possibility as many as four area teams will advance to the big dance, though things will have to play out perfectly for that to happen.

The setup for districts calls for four games in the CHS gym.

After that, the district title winners are state-bound, while the runner-ups hit the road for loser-out, winner-to-state games with schools in other districts.

What you need to know before tip-off:

 

What:

District 1/2 basketball tourney

 

When:

Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 15 and 17

 

Where:

Coupeville High School (501 S Main)

 

Admission:

Tickets can be purchased two ways – online or at the door.

No regular season passes are accepted, as playoff money goes to the districts, and not the school hosting the tourney.

Ticket sales at the door are CASH only.

To purchase online, scan the barcode in the photo above, or pop over to the GoFan link at:

https://gofan.co/app/school/WA86277

You select the game and date, then bring your phone with you to the game. The ticket taker will hit redeem on the screen, stamp your hand, and you’re cleared to enter.

 

Schedule:

Tuesday-15

Coupeville girls vs. Auburn Adventist (5:15) – LOSER OUT
La Conner boys vs. Auburn Adventist (7:00) – LOSER OUT

 

Thursday-17

La Conner girls vs. Coupeville/Auburn winner (5:15) – WINNER TO STATE
Coupeville boys vs. La Conner/Auburn winner (7:00) – WINNER TO STATE

 

Brackets:

Girls:

http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/m2/tourn.php?act=vt&tid=3499

Boys:

http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/m2/tourn.php?act=vt&tid=3498

 

Team capsules:

 

GIRLS:

Auburn Adventist Academy

Season record: 7-10

League: 1B/2B SeaTac

Trips to state: None

Fast fact: Eight of 11 players are freshmen

Coach: Jessie Plecker

Seniors: Caitlyn Walter

Mascot: Falcons

 

Coupeville

Season record: 8-7

League: Northwest 2B/1B League

Trips to state: Seven (Most recent: 2016)

Fast fact: Assistant coach Cherie Smith has worked the Wolf bench with both her husband (Willie) and daughter

Coach: Megan Smith

Seniors: Ja’Kenya Hoskins, Abby Mulholland, Audrianna Shaw, Izzy Wells

Mascot: Wolves

 

La Conner

Season record: 19-1

League: Northwest 2B/1B League

Trips to state: 13 (Most recent: 2020)

Fast fact: Only loss was 45-43 to 4A Eastlake, which is 19-2

Coach: Scott Novak

Seniors: Sarah Cook, Rachel Cram, Aubrie Sloniker, Juna Swanson

Mascot: Braves

 

BOYS:

Auburn Adventist Academy

Season record: 9-7

League: 1B/2B SeaTac

Trips to state: None

Fast fact: Was supposed to play La Conner in December, but non-conference game was cancelled

Coach: Angel Ogando

Seniors: Joshua Bruce, Stephen Ellis

Mascot: Falcons

 

Coupeville

Season record: 15-0

League: Northwest 2B/1B League

Trips to state: Five (Most recent: 1988)

Fast fact: Only unbeaten 2B boys team in state

Coach: Brad Sherman

Seniors: Bennett Boyles, Miles Davidson, Logan Martin, Caleb Meyer, Xavier Murdy, Grady Rickner, Hawthorne Wolfe

Mascot: Wolves

 

La Conner

Season record: 6-12

League: Northwest 2B/1B League

Trips to state: 42 (Most recent: 2019)

Fast fact: Beat Friday Harbor 48-38 Saturday in tie-breaker game to earn playoff berth

Coach: CJ Woods

Seniors: Ace Baker, Cameron Burks, Jahrel Cayou, Josh Denton, Haydin Dinnuis, Collin Joe, Quentin Kaubin, Luke Marble, Spencer Olson, Miles Sidzyik, Mason Wilson

Mascot: Braves

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Wolf boys clinch #1 playoff seed

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on February 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Logan Downes and Coupeville will carry a #1 seed into the playoffs. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The Wolf boys, some seen here, are 14-0 heading into their regular season finale.

They get by with a little help from their rivals.

The Coupeville High School varsity boys basketball team didn’t take the court Wednesday night, but still achieved a major goal thanks to another squad.

Friday Harbor’s 66-41 win at La Conner guarantees the Wolves are the #1 seed to next week’s District 1/2 tourney and sends CHS straight to the tournament’s title game.

Coupeville, which has already won the Northwest 2B/1B League title, is 14-0 heading into its regular season finale Thursday at La Conner.

Playoff seeding, however, is determined by how the league’s three 2B schools do in games against each other.

The Wolves are 3-0 in that mini rumble entering their finale, while Wednesday’s loss drops La Conner to 1-2.

Friday Harbor, which was playing for its postseason life, is now 1-3, having split the season series with the Braves while being swept by Coupeville.

If CHS bounces La Conner Thursday — the Wolves won 54-26 first time out — the Braves and Friday Harbor will face off in a play-in game to decide the #2 boys seed from the NWL.

The district tournament, which is set to go down in Coupeville, opens Feb. 15 with Auburn Adventist playing the NWL #2 seeds in loser-out games.

The winners return to the CHS gym Feb. 17 for championship games, where the Wolf boys and (very likely) La Conner girls will await.

Win a district title and you also clinch a trip to the state tourney.

The losers of the district title games get a second crack at earning a ticket to the big dance.

The boys runner-up faces a team from District 4, while the girls runner-up squares off with a District 6 squad in winner-to-state, loser-out games either Feb. 19 or 20.

Coupeville’s league title was its first for the boys program since 2002, when current head coach Brad Sherman was still raining three-balls as a player.

The lone district title in program history came in 1970, while the last time the Wolf boys made it to state was 1988.

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