Port Townsend’s Amelia Breithaupt and her Redhawk JV teammates showed heart and commitment Tuesday night. Much respect to you all. (John Fisken photo)
You can lose a game without being losers.
The Port Townsend JV girls’ basketball team is proof of that.
Tuesday night they were only able to dress five players, which meant that the girls who walked on the court for the opening tip-off would still be out there four quarters and 32 minutes of action later.
That’s not easy for anyone, and it didn’t get easier.
Coupeville is enjoying its best girls’ basketball season in a very long time, and the Wolf JV is rolling right now.
Eight players strong, they did exactly what was expected and won their sixth straight game by a fair margin at 35-4.
But, there are two sides to every story, and while Coupeville fans are understandably thrilled with how the Wolves are playing, we can also take a moment to honor their opponents.
Tuesday night, five young women (Alex Norvell, Rita Sheldon-O’Neal, Taylor Tracer, Krishna Pithva and Amelia Breithaupt) stood tall and gave everything they had.
They never backed down, they fought until the final buzzer and, even when you could see the tiredness in their eyes and shoulders, they played on, heads high.
One, in particular, stood out the most.
Breithaupt, who, at five-feet even, is barely taller than her hair braids, played point guard all night for the Redhawks and never lost her smile.
She brought the ball up time and again against aggressive Wolf defenders, got knocked around, yet still found an ounce of energy to scoot back on defense in the game’s final minute.
The game was lost, a long time before that, but she refused to call it quits until the two teams exchanged post-game hand shakes. Smile still intact.
I don’t know Breithaupt, or her teammates, but I do know this, they earned unexpected fans tonight.
We will see you play again, young Redhawks, and your reputation will precede you.
To the Port Townsend coaches, parents and fans, be very, very proud of your young women. They have earned it.
Coupeville Sports 