Lauren Rose is back and looking for a second straight title at the Friday Harbor Tip-Off Classic. (John Fisken photos)
Anticipation builds.
It’s tourney time.
The Coupeville High School girls’ basketball squad hits the road Friday for an overnight trip, a team bonding experience and a chance to defend its title all at the same time.
The Wolves are returning to Friday Harbor for the 3rd annual Tip-Off Classic, an eight-team, two-day event they won last year, when they rolled Overlake 37-20 and South Whidbey 31-27.
Neither one of those foes are back, as two Seattle teams are joining Coupeville and Friday Harbor this time around.
The Wolves open play Friday at 2 PM against fellow 1A school Seattle Academy, while the hosts face off at 5:30 with Seattle Lutheran in a battle of top 2B squads.
Saturday the teams flip, with Friday’s losers squaring off at 10 AM, while the first day winners play for the tourney title at 1:30 PM.
Meridian, Overlake, Friday Harbor and Seattle Lutheran are competing on the boys side of the tourney, but, since the Wolves aren’t involved, that’s all we have to say on that.
Coupeville’s JV girls will join their varsity counterparts on the second day and play a non-tourney game against Friday Harbor.
The Tip-Off Classic, at least based on last year’s teams, is loaded, as Coupeville, Seattle Academy and Friday Harbor all advanced to state in 2015-2016.
All three were knocked out in the round of 16.
Capsules for the tourney:
Coupeville:
This season: 0-1
Last season: 16-6
Conference: 1A Olympic League
Coach: David King
Mascot: Wolves
School colors: red, white, black
WIAA classification student enrollment (grades 9-11): 227
Best finish at state tourney: 6th in 2001-2002
Seattle Academy:
This season: 0-0 (*plays Bear Creek Wednesday*)
Last season: 18-4
Conference: 1A Emerald City League
Coach: Joel DeBruhl
Mascot: Cardinals
School colors: black, red
Student enrollment: 323
Best finish at state tourney: Never placed
Friday Harbor:
This season: 0-0
Last season: 19-5
Conference: 2B/1B Northwest League
Coach: Fred Woods
Mascot: Wolverines
School colors: purple, gold
Student enrollment: 199
Best finish at state tourney: 4th in 1979-1980
Seattle Lutheran:
This season: 0-0
Last season: 14-10
Conference: 2B/1B SeaTac
Coach: David Bills
Mascot: Saints
School colors: white, blue
Student enrollment: 91.75
Best finish at state tourney: 7th in 1986-1987 and 1991-1992
Coupeville Sports 