Wolf freshmen Kyla Briscoe (top) and Lauren Rose get up to pre-game shenanigans. (Amy King photos)
When Wolves attack.
From class to crass.
A game after the undermanned Port Townsend JV showed themselves to be the kind of plucky, big-hearted young women rival fans would root for, Chimacum arrived on Whidbey Friday and left a far different impression.
The end result was the same, a huge win for a red-hot Coupeville JV girls’ squad, which, despite suiting only six players, romped to a 48-13 win.
The victory, the team’s seventh straight, lifted the young Wolves to 13-5 overall, 8-0 in Olympic League play.
And yet, what will be talked about is that rarity of rarities — a full-blown ejection in a JV basketball game.
On a night when three separate Chimacum teams would receive at least one technical foul, the cherry on top of the sundae came courtesy of an overly-touchy Cowboy.
After a fourth-quarter battle for a rebound, Wolf freshman Allison Wenzel gained control of the ball.
With the play dead, a Cowboy approached the surprised Wenzel and, using both hands, shoved her hard enough in the face and chest that the refs immediately booted the offender from the game.
“The girl got up in Allison’s face. Allison stood her ground, we got the free throws and the ball back,” said Coupeville coach Amy King. “Don’t mess with one Wolf, because we take care of each other.
“The rest of the game was full of steals and great basketball. Our team stepped up and played a great quarter.”
Coupeville responded by drilling Chimacum in the game and not starting a full-blown brawl, something parents appreciated.
“It’s nice to know our kids don’t play like that. Makes me proud,” said Susan Wenzel.
Apart from the WWE action, the game was decided with an 18-0 second quarter run from the Wolves.
The surge came after a lackluster first quarter that ended with Coupeville clinging to a 4-3 lead. The moment prompted a rare chewing out of her team from the normally serene King.
The fiery oratory lit a spark under the Wolves.
“What was said worked, as we came out more focused, did a better job on offense and just started stealing the ball and getting fast breaks off our press,” King said. “The girls took their time, moved the ball around well and just played more like they can.”
Coupeville attacked in a frenzy over the final three quarters with “more passes up court than I’ve seen in a game.”
Lauren Grove and Kyla Briscoe were relentless, working their “anticipation magic” and converting steal after steal, with Lauren Rose leading the break, flying down the court after every steal and rebound.
Grove was on fire all game long, banging home a season-high 15, while filling up the stat sheet with six rebounds, five steals and a block.
Kyla Briscoe added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, barely missing a triple double with seven steals.
Tiffany Briscoe (eight points, nine rebounds, three steals), Rose (seven points, three rebounds, five steals), Kailey Kellner (six points, eight boards, two steals) and Wenzel (two points, nine boards, two blocks) rounded out the roster on the evening.
As the Wolf JV nears the end of its magical season — they close play on the road at Klahowya Monday — King has a mix of emotions.
“Last home game and making their parents proud. Classy group of amazing young women,” she said. “It is sad the season is almost done.”
Coupeville Sports 