Senior Izzy Wells leads a strong group of returning players for the CHS girls basketball program. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Megan Smith is more than a little fired-up.
The #4 scorer in Coupeville High School girls basketball history makes her debut as the Wolf varsity coach this coming Wednesday, and the hardwood legend is rarin’ to go.
“I don’t know if you can tell … but I am beyond excited for this season,” Smith said with a huge smile. “As a first-year head coach, I could not have asked for a better bunch of girls.
“We are going to be a force to be reckoned with this year!”
Megan Smith, who torched the CHS gym nets between 2006-2010, now sits in the same chair her dad, Willie Smith, once owned during his own run as head coach of the Wolf girls hoops program.
After coaching the Coupeville JV the past two seasons, Megan Smith replaces Scott Fox, who stepped down to focus on his health.
With no seniors playing during last year’s pandemic-altered hoops campaign, the new coach inherits a roster of veterans – a team where even the youngsters already have varsity experience.
“We have everyone returning from last year, since we did not lose any seniors, and that’s going to be huge for us!,” Smith said.
With her players already knowing each other, and having worked together on the floor in games, the Wolves are already a well-oiled unit.
“Our biggest strength of this team is the chemistry they have with each other,” Smith said. “This is year two of playing together and not losing anyone.
“They have really meshed well; you can absolutely see it on the court during practice,” she added. “They are so positive and encouraging to each other, all while pushing themselves and others to get better every day.
“I have watched their confidence in each other and themselves grow every day, and that’s such a huge aspect of being a great team!”
Senior Audrianna Shaw, who led the Wolves in scoring during a shortened 12-game season last time out, and junior point guard Maddie Georges lead the returning players.
Joining them to form the core of the team are seniors Ja’Kenya Hoskins, Izzy Wells, and Abby Mulholland, and juniors Carolyn Lhamon, Nezi Keiper, and Gwen Gustafson.
“Maddie and Audri are going to be two big players for us, both as leaders and scorers,” Smith said. “They have really come into this season ready to roll.
“Izzy and Carolyn have really taken over and will be big for us when it comes to rebounding and being a threat down low.”
Post players Keiper and Mulholland both return after not playing last year, helping add crucial depth to the squad.
“Abby, Ja’Kenya, Nezi, and Gwen will all see good minutes this year too, and will be able to help keep the intensity of our game up,” Smith said. “I’m really excited for this team!”
Another bright spot is offered up by an especially-strong class of freshmen, with three 9th graders expected to earn varsity playing time.
Katie Marti will swing between varsity and JV, while Lyla Stuurmans and Savina Wells are actually back for year two of what could be a five-year run of high school varsity excellence.
Savina Wells was a starter as an 8th grader, and is back for more this season.
The younger Wells sister was the #2 scorer for Coupeville as an 8th grader, while showing a willingness to mix it up with older players down low.
Meanwhile, the ever-springy Stuurmans was a standout on defense, constantly disrupting other team’s attempts to advance the ball with quick hands and a nicely feisty attitude.
“Both Savina and Lyla have improved greatly, with such a huge eagerness to learn and get better,” Smith said. “Savina is going to be a threat that teams will have to respect both outside and inside the key.
“Lyla is a natural leader, and will be able to add a lot of hustle and control on the court.
“Katie kind of came out of nowhere. She brings a different, lighter kind of energy to the game, eager to learn, and will be a big player for this program.”
As always, the seven-team Northwest 2B/1B League presents some major obstacles, with every opponent dangerous on a given night.
La Conner, which carries over several players from its state championship-winning volleyball squad, is the favorite, while Mount Vernon Christian is always strong.
“Both teams will be a challenge, but I think we are up for it!,” Smith said. “Our goal for this season is to be competitors in every game, no matter who they are.
“Our schedule contains some tough teams, but we know that we have the team to keep up with them all,” she added. “We want to play our game and come out on top.”
With that in mind, Smith and new Wolf JV coach Greg Turcott have been preaching confidence and commitment.
“We have been working a lot at being scorers first, being less worried about making a mistake, and just playing the game we play in practice,” Smith said.
“We talk a lot about how you play in games like you practice and have been keeping the tempo of our practices intense and fast.”
For now, three days out from opening night and a non-conference matchup with Granite Falls, the Wolves are just ready to get after it. To get out on the floor and see what they can accomplish.
“I think our biggest area needing work is just our experience,” Smith said. “Even though our chemistry is great, we are pretty young when it comes to varsity playing experience.
“The more we play, the better we will get and I can’t wait to see where we end up!”
Senior Ja’Kenya Hoskins wants to go out with a bang.
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