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Posts Tagged ‘girls basketball’

Jerry Helm abides. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A job for you, and a job for you, and a job for everyone!

Coupeville High School/Middle School Athletic Director Willie Smith has been a busy bee of late, and he’s flooded the agenda for next Thursday’s school board meeting with multiple job hires.

Jerry Helm — fire chief, race car driver, and current high school assistant soccer coach — is adding a winter gig, tabbed as a CMS girls’ basketball coach.

Meanwhile, the entire CMS volleyball coaching staff will be new this fall, with Elizabeth Mallett (head coach) and Amanda Black (assistant coach) prepping their players for a season set to kickoff September 23 at home against South Whidbey.

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Scout Smith, hardwood guru. (Photo courtesy Charlotte Young)

She is the past, present, and future.

Scout Smith, a standout athlete and student during her time at Coupeville High School, is now in charge of two of the Wolf programs for which she once played.

The 2020 CHS grad, who kicked off her second season as Wolf varsity volleyball coach Monday, has been tabbed to permanently take the reins of the girls’ basketball program as well.

Her hire will be official once approved by the Coupeville School Board at its Thursday night meeting.

Smith, who is #41 on the all-time scoring list for Wolf basketball, which launched in 1974, was previously the JV hoops coach at her alma mater.

She filled in last year for varsity coach Megan Richter, who took a season off for maternity leave, then applied for the full-time gig after her predecessor decided to step down earlier this year.

Wondering if the ref has lost their mind. (Jackie Saia photo)

Getting official word she’ll join an exclusive club which includes past Wolf varsity hoops coaches like Phyllis Textor, Willie Smith, Greg Oldham, and David King has Scout in a great mood.

“I am incredibly excited to be back as the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball coach,” she said. “We have a fantastic group of hardworking and talented players who are a privilege to work with.

“This group made tremendous progress last season, particularly in our tenacity defensively and our ability to run the floor offensively,” Smith added.

“I’m excited to see how they continue to grow and build on that progress this season.”

As she transitions into the lead role on a permanent basis, Smith paid homage to those who have helped her.

“I am incredibly grateful to my predecessor, Megan Richter, for the work she has put into the program and how far she has helped bring it.

“I’m also grateful for Brad Sherman, the head of the boys’ program, for sharing the wisdom and knowledge he has gained through nearly 10 years of coaching.

“I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to build a successful and unified basketball program at Coupeville.”

Smith was a dead-eye shooter during her school days. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

After moving to Coupeville while in elementary school, Smith followed in the footsteps of older brothers CJ and Hunter, playing three sports while holding down a captain’s role in all of her activities.

She led Wolf volleyball, basketball, and softball teams to success, helping take the spikers and diamond dandies to state tournament appearances, and was a CHS Athlete of the Year winner as a senior.

After high school graduation, Smith earned degrees from the University of Washington and Gonzaga, then returned to Coupeville where she has worked as a teacher.

She is the fourth member of her immediate family to coach at CHS, joining dad Chris Smith as well as both of her brothers.

Mom is a guru as well, with Charlotte Young having led Central Whidbey Little League softball teams which crushed foes in a never-ending hail of hits.

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Alita Blouin during her high school days. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The circle is complete.

Alita Blouin, one of the best Coupeville High School athletes in recent years, has been tabbed for two jobs for the 2026-2027 school year, pending school board approval at Thursday’s meeting.

Ryan’s big sister, who graduated in 2023, is being hired as JV volleyball coach and JV girls’ basketball coach.

On the volleyball court, Blouin replaces Tianna Carlson, who stepped down after a season on the job, and will work with Wolf varsity guru Scout Smith.

In the world of hoops, “The Assassin” worked alongside Lark Gustafson last season to guide the JV program while Smith covered for varsity coach Megan Richter, who was out on maternity leave.

Richter stepped down permanently earlier this year, and Smith has applied for the varsity gig on a full-time basis, though no official announcement has been made yet by Athletic Director Willie Smith.

A member of the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame for her exploits on the volleyball court and basketball hardwood, Blouin overcame numerous injuries during her prep days, showcasing a fiery spirit.

While she racked up stellar stats, my enduring image of her comes from her 8th grade volleyball campaign.

With CMS players going through warm-ups before a match, the spikers started to run laps around the floor.

Blouin, a team captain, was out in front, serious and locked-in. No coasting.

At which point, one of her teammates, Lucy Tenore, who is considerably taller, and has a much-longer stride, tried to pass her friend.

Blouin was not playing that. At all.

Tenore, smile growing bigger and bigger, tried a second time, then a third, but couldn’t get by.

That’s because Blouin, legs pumping, elbows ever at the alert, fended off her teammate at every turn, her face locked in a death mask of concentration.

Tenore, fully laughing at this point, finally relented, only to see Blouin kick it up a notch to a sprinter’s run to finish the final curve, one eye looking over her shoulder just in case anyone else wanted to get foolish.

That attitude carried “The Assassin” to great success, capped by an invitation to the 1B/2B/1A All-State volleyball matches after her senior season.

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Scotlyn Helm attacks the basket. (Photos courtesy Megan Richter)

“We’re leaving with a full heart.”

Coupeville High School girls’ varsity basketball coach Megan Richter, who recently stepped down to focus on family, led her final summer camp, setting up the Wolf hoops program for continued growth.

The Firecracker Skills Clinic drew 14 girls who spent three days putting in “countless reps” and showing “so much growth.”

“Watching these girls show up every day ready to work, compete, ask questions, and encourage one another reminded me why we love coaching,” Richter said.

“Basketball is about so much more than making shots or learning new moves. It’s about building confidence, learning to be a great teammate, and finding the courage to keep improving, even when it’s hard.

“This group embraced that, and we’re proud of every one of them.”

Future Wolf hoops stars, ready to rain down buckets today.

As she steps away (for now, at least) Richter reflected on a journey in which she has both played and coached at every level for Coupeville basketball.

While she won’t be the one calling the shots going forward, her pride in what she has helped shape is unmistakable.

“Thank you to all of the players and families for trusting me with a small part of your summer,” Richter said.

“We can’t wait to watch these girls continue to grow, and we’re excited for what’s ahead for Coupeville girls’ basketball.

“Keep working. Keep competing. Keep believing in yourselves. The future is bright. Go Wolves!”

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Megan Richter has stepped down as CHS varsity girls’ basketball coach. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Family is calling.

After taking a season off for maternity leave, Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball coach Megan Richter has decided to step away from the hardwood for good.

For now, at least.

Richter, who has led the CHS program since 2021, left open the option of returning to full-time coaching in the future.

But for now, working full-time as a teacher, joining with husband Bennett to raise two rambunctious young kids, and trying to finish her master’s is a lot, and something had to give at the moment.

“It’s been a pretty hard decision to make and I’m pretty sad leaving,” Richter said. “But I know it’s what’s best for me and my family.”

Richter sent a letter to players and parents Monday, detailing her thought process.

This decision has been incredibly difficult because I have truly loved being a part of this program.

From building the program to working alongside so many dedicated athletes, families, and coaches, these years have been some of the most rewarding of my life.

Watching our players grow as athletes, teammates, leaders, and young women has been a privilege that I will never take for granted.

I want to sincerely thank all of the families, players, assistant coaches, our athletic director, and the community for the support you have given me and this program.

Everything we accomplished was the result of countless people investing their time, energy, and belief into Wolf basketball.

At this point in my life, I feel called to spend more time with my family and be more present with them.

While I am stepping away from the high school program, I will continue to stay involved through CYBA and remain committed to supporting the growth of basketball in our community.

I don’t see this as the end of my coaching journey — just a pause for now. Basketball has given me far too much for me to walk away from it completely.

Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your lives and your daughters’ journeys. 

The relationships and memories made through this program will stay with me forever.

I am incredibly proud of what we built together and excited to watch the program continue to grow and thrive.

Richter, a three-time CHS Female Athlete of the Year winner, is the #4 scorer in Wolf girls’ basketball history, pouring in 1,042 points while playing between 2006-2010.

After working as a middle school and high school JV coach, she replaced Scott Fox as varsity coach when he stepped down in 2021.

That allowed Richter to follow in the footsteps of her parents, Willie and Cherie Smith, who led the CHS girls’ hoops program from 1994-2000.

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