Mikayla Elfrank was a ball-hawk Saturday as Coupeville kicked off its season at a jamboree. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Freshman Kylie Chernikoff made her debut, helping the Wolf JV take wins against two much-bigger schools.
Get the jitters out and get ready for the games that count.
That was the goal for the Coupeville High School girls basketball squads Saturday, as they kicked off a new season with an appearance at a jamboree in Sedro-Woolley.
Facing off with 2A Lakewood and 3A Oak Harbor in mini-games, the 1A Wolves, who were playing without full rosters, earned a split.
The CHS varsity fell 9-6 to Lakewood and 18-14 to Oak Harbor, while the Wolf JV romped to 15-3 and 9-4 wins against the same schools.
Now, it’s on to a busy first week of real play, starting with a road game Monday at Bellingham.
Coupeville hosts Blaine Wednesday and Mount Vernon Christian Friday, before facing an Australian traveling team next Saturday, Dec. 2, in a game at South Whidbey High School.
With several players missing, the Wolves had short benches for the jamboree. The varsity played with just one sub, sending bodies to the JV to help fill out that roster.
Varsity:
Coupeville opened against a very physical Lakewood squad and fell behind quickly, trailing 6-1 in the early going.
“This was a rough and tumble game,” said CHS coach David King. “We came out timid and very nervous on offense.”
After words of wisdom from their leader, the Wolves rallied to tie the game, but couldn’t quite get over the top.
Returning to the court to face its Island rivals, Coupeville was more aggressive and benefited from Mikayla Elfrank, who “was a ball-hawk and made off with four steals that led to fast break opportunities.”
“We played a much better offensive game. Ran our plays and got some good open looks,” King said. “Defensively, we just seemed a step slow. Allowed too many baseline drives and allowing players to get to the basket with very little resistance.
“Defense is our staple and tonight we just didn’t bring it,” he added. “Something to learn from and continue to practice and improve on.”
Coupeville hung with Oak Harbor until the very end, but free-throw shooting was the difference in the end. The Wildcats drained six of eight from the charity stripe, while the Wolves were a tad cold, hitting just two of six.
Elfrank, Kyla Briscoe, Sarah Wright, Lindsey Roberts and Allison Wenzel played in both games, while Kalia Littlejohn and Scout Smith each slid down to JV for one game to help their younger counterparts.
While he always prefers wins, King came away pleased with a lot of what he saw his team do against big school competition.
“Overall, a good start to our season and getting into game situations is what tonight was all about,” he said.
JV:
With a variety of players dealing with early-season dings (a knee injury, a bone chip in a hand, a sore quad muscle, wisdom teeth removal) and two key players off on family adventures, the young guns were a work in progress.
And yet, with Littlejohn and Smith providing sparks against Lakewood and Oak Harbor, respectively, Amy King’s team still ran their foes off the floor with relative ease.
“Kalia helped us out. With her guidance, we were able to get some confidence in setting up and running our plays, as well as stepping up our defense,” King said. “Then Scout stepped in where Kalia left off and the rest of the team sparked in their play.”
Tia Wurzrainer “made some great passes in both games,” piling up assists, rebounds and steals, while frosh phenom Genna Wright “came alive in the second game, ripping rebounds, taking shots and getting steals.”
Nicole Lester, Mollie Bailey and two first-time players, Kylie Chernikoff and Julia Garcia Onoro, rounded out Coupeville’s roster.
“I was very proud of those who played today,” King said. “I think they all got better and hopefully have a little more confidence in themselves and each other before going into our game on Monday.”
