Mikayla Elfrank torched Seattle Academy for 11 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two assists Friday afternoon. (John Fisken photo)
The Wolves enjoy their ferry ride to Friday Harbor, where they are defending their title at the Tip-Off Classic. (Amy King photo)
Based on last year’s records, the opening game of the Friday Harbor Tip-Off Classic was a match-up of heavyweights.
Based on the results, however, one of those two teams might be a lot better than the other this time around.
Runnin’ and gunnin’ Friday afternoon, the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball squad slapped Seattle Academy down hard, drilling the Cardinals 44-31.
The win, coming in a battle of schools which made it to the Sweet 16 of the 1A state tourney a year ago, lifts the Wolves to 1-1 and puts them into the title game of the Tip-Off Classic for a second straight year.
Coupeville, which is the defending champ, closes the tourney Saturday against Friday Harbor, which beat Seattle Lutheran.
The Wolves entered the tournament coming off a non-conference loss at Blaine, but the two days of practice in between games bore immediate fruit.
“We worked on some things and the players were a quick study in the two practices and came out on fire,” said CHS coach David King.
Junior point guard Mia Littlejohn was the catalyst early, knocking down six points and handing out assists by the bunches as the Wolves raced to a 19-10 lead at the first break.
“Mia led the charge in the first quarter,” King said. “She dictated the pace and pushed the tempo.”
Littlejohn had some big-time help from Mikayla Elfrank, who was “aggressive from the minute she stepped on the court.”
The junior, in her first season with the Wolf hoops squad, went for seven of her team-high 11 points in the opening quarter, including swishing a baseline three-ball.
Elfrank put together a fantastic game, racking up 12 rebounds, three blocks and two assists to go with her points.
While Coupeville went a bit cold from the field in the middle two periods, racking up just 10 points combined in the second and third, its defense held Seattle Academy at bay.
Then senior gunner Kailey Kellner went off, scoring all 10 of her points in a decisive fourth quarter. Six of the points came via a pair of long-range treys.
Coupeville is putting an emphasis on getting out and running, though King admits it’s still a work in progress.
“We looked to run at every opportunity we could. They ran the lanes well and looked to feed the ball ahead,” he said. “One thing that did slow us down offensively was at times being too aggressive; that turned into errant passes and turnovers.
“We are still trying to figure this speed game out.”
King was especially happy with his team’s work on the boards, where Elfrank (12), Kellner (11) and Lindsey Roberts (10) dominated the rebounding battle.
“The team came ready to play today and our rebounding was outstanding,” he said.
Coupeville combined to haul down 48 caroms, winning the fight in the paint despite Seattle Academy boasting a very solid 6-foot-2 girl in the middle.
The Wolves excelled all across the court, with Littlejohn (7) and Kellner (5) combining for 12 assists and the team making off with 19 steals.
“Many players stuffed the stat sheet and did some good things today,” King said. “The others that may not have stuffed the stats, played their roles very well as a supporting cast.”
Elfrank (11), Kellner (10) and Mia Littlejohn (7) led the scoring attack, while Lauren Rose hit for six and Roberts and Tiffany Briscoe popped for four apiece.
Kalia Littlejohn rounded out the scoring attack with a bucket, while Kyla Briscoe snatched five rebounds and Lauren Grove had two steals.
Allison Wenzel, Charlotte Langille and Sarah Wright also floor time for a deep Wolf squad.
