Wolf seniors (l to r) Carolyn Lhamon, Gwen Gustafson, Cecilia Acevedo, Alita Blouin, Maddie Georges, and Ryanne Knoblich. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Alita Blouin delivers hot death from above.
Sparked by their sweet-shooting senior guard, who knocked down a trio of three-balls as part of a 15-point performance, the Coupeville High School varsity girls’ basketball team romped on opening night.
Thrashing host South Whidbey 46-22 Wednesday, while surrendering points to only one Falcon, the Wolves earned big praise from second-year coach Megan Richter.
“I’m so incredibly proud of these girls and the way they played today,” she said. “They have been working so hard this year and it showed today.
“Before the game we talked a lot about being competitive but also having fun playing the game. And that’s exactly what they did.”
Other than a brief tie at 2-2, Coupeville led from start to finish, using tough defense to fuel big buckets on the other end of the floor.
“They played their game, came out aggressive on defense and played patient on offense,” Richter said.
“It was a really fun game to watch; it makes my job really easy when things that we do in practice come together.
“I’m excited for the rest of the season and to see where they go from here!”
That 2-2 stalemate evaporated as soon as Gwen Gustafson drilled the bottom of the net out on a jumper, earning a loud cheer from her sign-waving fan club president, Lucy Tenore.
The very next play might have been the best of the night, as Carolyn Lhamon rejected a Falcon shot, leading to a breakaway bucket for Maddie Georges.
Crashing through the backpedaling defenders, the senior point guard waited for the impact, then flipped the ball off the backboard, earning a third point the hard way thanks to a foul call and ensuing free throw.
With all five starters scoring in the first quarter, Coupeville surged out to a 13-6 lead by the first break, and never really looked back.
Yes, the Falcons, who got all 22 of their points from Isabelle Woods, briefly cut the lead to 16-12 midway through the second frame.
But that just seemed to inspire the Wolves, who finished off the half on an 11-0 tear.
Gustafson went for five of those points, with Blouin, Ryanne Knoblich, and defensive dynamo Lyla Stuurmans also scoring during the game-deciding rally.
The third quarter belonged to Blouin, who made the nets flip on free throws and three-balls alike.
Georges also buried a long trey, her shot arcing to the top of the gym roof before splashing home, while Mia Farris capped things with a picture-perfect layup while several defenders tried to decapitate her.
With the game long since decided, the final frame was largely a defensive brawl.
That gave varsity newcomers Cecilia Acevedo and Skylar Parker a chance to haul in rebounds and poke balls free, while the ever-rampaging Katie Marti terrorized anyone unlucky enough to be holding a basketball in her general vicinity.
The latest link in the Marti/Messner athletic dynasty, Katie remains one of the most entertaining disruptors to hit the hardwood.
She brings back fond memories of ’90s brawler Jodie Christensen — Aiden and Maggie Crimmins mom — crashing through folks like a bowling ball, handing out black eyes to teammates and rivals alike.
And that’s high praise, so never change, Katie.
Back in the pursuit of scoring records, Blouin’s 15 topped the Wolves, with Gustafson (9), Knoblich (8), Georges (6), Lhamon (4), Farris (2), Stuurmans (1), and Marti (1) all contributing.
And one last side note.
Lhamon now has 125 career points, which ties her (for one night at least) with Christi Messner, who is both Katie Marti’s mom, and the woman who was keeping the books for the Wolves on this night.
The more you know.
Coupeville Sports 