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Posts Tagged ‘Hannah Davidson’

Far from home, forever gossipy

Posted in Ranting and Raving, tagged , , , , on August 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Jacob Schooley and Bella Karr are your new Coupeville High School cheer captains. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Morrell)

John Denver was a dirty, sweaty lil’ liar.

When he sung about West Virginia he failed to mention the heat, the humidity, or the non-stop bugs.

So many bugs.

And yet, according to the internet, West Virginia is not even in the top 10 for states in the USA when it comes to bugs.

I don’t think John Denver is the only liar…

Or maybe 54 years of living in Washington state, with the last 20 perched on the shores of Penn Cove, have left me unprepared for life in the buzz zone.

Twenty-four days in, I’m adjusting — somewhat — to life on the other side of the country, while still keeping at least one eye on the prairie.

With Coupeville High School football kicking off its first practices Wednesday, and other fall sports like volleyball and cross country slated to hit go this coming Monday, it feels more than a bit odd to not be in the thick of things in Cow Town.

August was traditionally the hardest time to find stories for the blog, with the dog days of summer preceding the return of school sports to the forefront.

Though, here in West Virginia, my two youngest nephews have already been back in class for a full week as of yesterday.

If I was still hanging out in my duplex, with a breeze bouncing off the water, and bugs few and far between, this is some of what I probably would have written about.

A young Deb Dire, now known as teacher extraordinaire Deb Sherman.

It sounds like Deb Sherman, the gold standard of elementary school teachers, is heading in to her final year in the classroom.

So many kids have deeply benefited from her gentle guidance over the years, and Coupeville was greatly blessed that she brought great joy and love to its classrooms.

I also see several former CHS athletes made it official and got hitched this summer.

Among those whose nuptials who I noticed were Hannah Davidson, Arisbeth Montiel, and Joey Lippo.

Arisbeth Montiel

Left to right are Scout Smith, Tia Wurzrainer, Scott Fox, Hannah Davidson, and Avalon Renninger.

Joey Lippo

Hannah’s marriage ceremony brought her back together with her former teammates, and their high school hoops guru, Scott Fox, in a complete-the-circle movement.

And one of those former running mates, Scout Smith, is about to embark on two new adventures this fall.

The Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Famer replaces the departed Cory Whitmore as head volleyball coach at CHS — running the program she once starred for — and will also be a full-time teacher after snagging a classroom gig at the elementary school.

Other new coaches coming aboard include Jasmine Ader (CHS girls’ soccer) Tianna Carlson (CHS volleyball — JV), James Kunz (CHS boys’ soccer), and Katelynn Quinonez (CMS volleyball), though Makana Stone (CMS girls’ basketball) has recently resigned.

In the world of high school cheer, Bella Karr and Jacob Schooley were tabbed as captains for the upcoming football season, while Wolf Nation took a hit with the passing of Martha Rose.

The former Island Transit Director was a strong supporter of CHS soccer, with her daughters Emily (May) and Taichen both starring on the pitch for the Wolves.

Soccer, in all its forms, continues to enchant many in Cow Town, whether it’s the young female stars of tomorrow, who continue to pile up the hardware, or a brave young teen heading overseas.

“We’re coming for all your trophies!” (Photo courtesy Kimberly Kisch)

Young gun Chayse Van Velkinburgh will spend the next 10 months at the Euro Madrid Soccer Academy in Spain. (Photo courtesy Dustin Van Velkinburgh)

Meanwhile, a bevy of former Wolves are trying their hand at playing college sports, with some photos popping up showcasing them in their new uniforms.

Here’s three which recently hit my feed:

Marcelo Gebhard, ready to hit the gridiron for Lewis-Clark Valley College.

Two-time CHS Athlete of the Year winner Mia Farris (right), now a freshman volleyball spiker at Whatcom College.

Lyla Stuurmans (second from left), hankering for some kills at Skagit Valley College.

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Fated to be a Wolf, destined to be a star

Posted in Basketball, Hall o' Fame, Volleyball, tagged , , , , , on December 1, 2020| 1 Comment »

Hannah Davidson joins her friends in the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Her destiny was always to be a Wolf.

A family move to California pulled Hannah Davidson away for a bit.

But then, like a Valkyrie arriving on the battle field, she returned to Whidbey and reunited with her childhood friends and teammates.

After accomplishing great things with her Coupeville pack — Scout Smith, Maya Toomey-Stout, Emma Mathusek, Avalon Renninger, and many more — Hannah is killing it in college, but always connected to Cow Town through our memories.

And today, she rejoins her friends, inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, forever immortalized for her play and her heart.

When you bounce up to the top of the blog, you’ll find Hannah hanging out under the Legends tab, a worthy spot for a very-talented young woman.

She made her first big impact (on the local sports scene at least) as a key member of a Central Whidbey Little League Juniors softball squad which battered foes while winning a league title and compiling a 13-3 record.

Younger versions of (left to right) Emma Mathusek, Scout Smith, Davidson, and Maya Toomey-Stout. (Charlotte Young photo)

Those young Wolves, featuring a 10-woman roster pulled together at the very last second, were a run-scoring machine, outgunning their rivals 185-85.

Hannah swung a big bat for that squad, while also playing nimble defense at first base, as showcased in the season finale.

Facing off with Anacortes, its arch-nemesis, Central Whidbey clung to a late lead when a throw to first, with runners on base, went wayward.

Not letting the play end there, Hannah alertly whirled, as the base coach behind her lurched backwards, lost control and did an awkward, but very entertaining, half-cartwheel.

Snagging the skittering ball as it ricocheted back up off the edge of the dirt, she spun and pegged a flawless throw to second base.

Staying low and blocking the bag in anticipation, Mathusek was exactly where she needed to be, slapping the tag on one very surprised incoming runner to end the inning.

That calmness under pressure and ability to pull off top-notch plays while fitting her skill-set into her team’s needs benefited Hannah greatly during her high school days.

She was an All-Conference player in two sports as a senior during the 2019-2020 school year, helping CHS volleyball and basketball teams achieve great success.

On the volleyball court, Hannah was a masher with an often surprisingly light touch around the net.

Hannah and Emma rejoice in a volleyball win. (Brian Vick photo)

She could come in hot and wail the ball off the back line, or off a rival girl’s shoulder, but she was also deadly with her tips.

Bouncing on her toes, ready to go in either direction, then finish with power or precision, Hannah was a boon to her teammates, and a danger to opposing defenses.

As a senior, she helped lead the Wolf spikers to one of the best seasons in program history.

Coupeville capped Cory Whitmore’s fourth season as coach by opening 7-0.

Losing only to state powerhouse King’s during the regular season, the Wolves finished 14-5, tying the program record for wins and narrowly missing a trip to state.

Jump forward to basketball season, and Hannah was a player who could give you something different each night, depending on the opponent and what would benefit the Wolves most.

First she sucks in the defense, then she beats it with a crisp pass. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

She used her natural height and strength to pound the boards, pulling down rebounds on both ends of the floor, was a strong passer, and was never shy when it came to sacrificing herself on defense.

With the ball, Hannah was a complementary scorer, one who raised her season scoring totals in each of her three campaigns on the CHS varsity.

Playing alongside sharpshooters such as Chelsea Prescott and Ema Smith, bulldog creators like Scout Smith, and open floor weapons in Mikayla Elfrank and Lindsey Roberts, she still finished as the #88 scorer in program history.

Not bad, considering Wolf girls have played hoops since 1974.

While Hannah never played softball in high school, she did put in a season of track and field as a sophomore, tossing the discus and javelin.

She had six top-four finishes, including a 1st place performance in the javelin at a home meet, and successfully advanced to the postseason in both events.

Through it all, regardless of the sport, Hannah embraced her teammates, and seemed to deeply enjoy her time as an athlete competing with her tight-knit group of friends.

I’m sure she would have done well in Cali, if that had been her destiny, but it’s especially nice that she got the opportunity to return to Coupeville and be with her sisters from other misters.

Smart and strong, confident and caring, Hannah has been a visible inspiration to her brothers, two of whom are already following her trail as Wolf athletes.

As she pursues her college studies in Boise, the milestones will keep coming.

Athletically, academically, and in real life, Hannah is a bright, shining example of a young woman striving to be the best she can be, in every way.

Once a Wolf, always a Wolf.

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Fab four feted

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged , , , , on February 5, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Scout Smith leads off a collection of CHS girls hoops Senior Night pics. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Proud dads (l to r) Chris Smith, Michael Davidson, Andreas Wurzrainer, and Phil Renninger all try not to be the first one to cry.

Tia Wurzrainer

Smith and Wurzrainer are joined by Hannah Davidson (13) and Avalon Renninger.

Hannah Davidson

Wurzrainer and Smith, ready to whomp on South Whidbey.

Avalon Renninger

CHS coach Scott Fox hangs out with his team leaders.

They are the core around which success has been built.

Coupeville High School seniors Avalon Renninger, Scout Smith, Tia Wurzrainer, and Hannah Davidson have been vital parts of the Wolf girls hoops program, and Tuesday night was all about them.

Before crushing South Whidbey and finishing the regular season at 12-5, the Wolf leaders got their moment in the spotlight.

Now, on to the playoffs!

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Rally queens notch 10th win

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Hannah Davidson banked in five points Saturday, helping Coupeville’s varsity collect its 10th win of the season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Best start in program history.

With one caveat, that is.

Bouncing back from an early deficit Saturday, the Coupeville High School girls varsity basketball team pulled out a close win on the road in Port Townsend.

The 34-28 non-conference triumph lifts the Wolves to 10-4 on the season, with three regular season games left to play.

Coupeville travels to King’s Tuesday, then hosts Granite Falls and South Whidbey, before plunging into the playoffs.

While the 10-4 record is sweet, the Wolves, with a little help from everyone stretching their imaginations, can lay claim to the best start by a CHS girls hoops team.

Coupeville was 6-1, matching the 2009-2010 Wolves, when they were originally scheduled to play Port Townsend back in December.

High winds and skittish ferry captains bumped that game off the schedule, however, and Coupeville fell to Nooksack Valley in their next contest.

But if we take Saturday’s rescheduled game and count the win as if it happened back when the bout was first set to happen, boom, 7-1, baby.

At least that’s how CHS coach Scott Fox would like to look at it.

“Technically speaking, we’ll put an asterisk next to this game and beat the record!! Just saying!!,” he chuckled.

No matter how we count the win, getting back on the ferry with a W was all that mattered.

On a night when Wolf senior Hannah Davidson was whacked hard enough in the face to draw blood, Coupeville had to scramble to find a way to get out of town in one piece.

“They were up on us all game, much better than we expected,” Fox said. “We went down early, then fought back to take the lead with some timely shooting.”

Freshman Maddie Georges, who has been dropping daggers of late, knocked down a pair of three-balls in the opening quarter, keeping Coupeville within 12-10 at the first break.

After that, her veteran counterpart at point guard, senior Scout Smith, stepped up with six points in the next frame, and the Wolves turned things (slightly) to their advantage.

Up 17-15 at the half, CHS was clinging to a 26-25 lead headed into the fourth, then hit big shots in the final moments to ice the win.

Georges finished with a team-high nine points, after hitting another trey in the third quarter, while Smith banked in eight and Chelsea Prescott scooped in seven.

Davidson (5), Izzy Wells (4), and Avalon Renninger (1) rounded out the scoring, with Audrianna Shaw, Anya Leavell, Tia Wurzrainer, Carolyn Lhamon, Kylie Van Velkinburgh, and Mollie Bailey seeing floor time.

Two Wolves reached personal milestones Saturday, with Smith bouncing from #42 to #39 on the CHS girls hoops career scoring list.

With 265 points, she passed Sarah Mouw (259), Carly Guillory (260), and Madeline Strasburg (261) Saturday, while Prescott, a junior, moved from #51 to a tie with Hilary Kortuem for #48.

The duo are knotted at 231, at least for the moment, and Prescott slipped past a pair of former teammates, edging out Mikayla Elfrank (227) and Ema Smith (228).

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Plenty of fight, but no win

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 8, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Hannah Davidson was a defensive dynamo Tuesday as Coupeville scrapped with Cedar Park Christian. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“Put this one on me. Put it on the coach and not the girls.”

A lot of things conspired to trip up the Coupeville High School varsity girls basketball team Tuesday night, as it fell 51-35 to visiting Cedar Park Christian.

Battling for sole possession of first place in the North Sound Conference, the Wolves looked at times, especially in the first half, like a team which was a bit rusty coming off a 16-day break.

At other times, such as when the Wolves played the Eagles to a tie in the second half, Coupeville looked very good.

Even with the loss, the Wolves still boast a 6-3 record, and are 1-1 in league play, with a long way to go.

Cedar Park (3-0, 9-4) may have the early edge, but the Eagles (and Wolves) have yet to face King’s, and will meet again Jan. 24 in Bothell.

For first-year CHS coach Scott Fox, the night had genuine moments of success.

“The second-half effort was much better,” he said. “We were coming off a long break and they jumped on us early, but we fought hard.

“I liked our effort in getting to the basket, and that we didn’t back down,” Fox added. “We need to eliminate some mental mistakes, but they’re things we can work on.”

Coupeville came in knowing it wanted to do its best to slow down defending league MVP Irena Korolenko.

Based on film study, where her support crew clanked its fair share of shots, Fox felt confident in essentially daring the other Eagles to beat Coupeville.

You play the odds, and sometimes the odds come back to bite you, as Cedar Park dropped four treys during a 19-9 first quarter, with Korolenko accounting for only one of those three-balls.

“That’s on me … I must have watched the wrong film,” Fox said with a small chuckle.

Korolenko opened the game with a three-ball from the top of the arc, netted another trey early in the second quarter, then coasted home with six free throws as she finished with a fairly-quiet 12 points.

But her presence was invaluable for the Eagles, whether it was her ability to quickly bring the ball up-court, preventing Coupeville from trapping, her quick, efficient passing, or her rock-solid defense.

Sparked by their quietly-lethal team leader, the other Cedar Park players all filled their assigned roles, making it hard for the Wolves to find too many cracks in their collective games.

Coupeville hung tough, trailing just 19-11 after Avalon Renninger slashed inside for a bucket to open the second quarter.

But then came the one time the Wolves truly sputtered all night, with the Eagles reeling off 11 straight points to go up by double-digits.

After that, CHS made inroads, fought with intensity, and scrapped to the end, but never got the lead back down under 13 at any point.

Chelsea Prescott, showing no fear, went hard at the heart of the Eagle defense again and again, picking up eight of her team-high 12 points at the free-throw line.

Unfortunately, she was one of the few Wolves to find a rhythm at the charity stripe, as Coupeville struggled to a 13-31 performance on freebies.

CHS closed the game on a 9-5 surge, started by freshman Maddie Georges drilling a jumper to end the third, and capped by senior Hannah Davidson netting a soft runner a tick before the game’s final buzzer.

Prescott’s 12-point performance, her best showing of the season, carried her past a personal milestone, as well.

With a third-quarter free throw, the Wolf junior became the 57th player in Coupeville girls basketball history, which stretches from 1974-2020, to reach 200 career points.

Now sitting with 204 and counting, Prescott passed former greats Kim Warder (193), Julia Myers (202), and Pam Jampsa (202) Tuesday, and is #55 all-time.

Senior Scout Smith also achieved a bit of Wolf hoops history, notching her 224th point to slide past Annette Jameson and become the 50th best scorer in program history.

Smith tallied three points Tuesday, while Renninger and Davidson banked in six apiece.

Izzy Wells (3), Georges (3), and Tia Wurzrainer (2) also scored, with Anya Leavell, Carolyn Lhamon, Mollie Bailey, Audrianna Shaw, and Kylie Van Velkinburgh seeing floor time.

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