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Posts Tagged ‘SWISH’

Young Wolves impress at hoops tourney

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on March 30, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville basketball is on the rise. (Photo courtesy Taylor Little)

Survive and thrive.

Winning four of five games, the Coupeville SWISH boys’ basketball team claimed 4th place this weekend in the 7th grade division at the 33rd annual Tulip Basketball Tournament.

The event, hosted by Skagit County Parks and Recreation, featured 30 games in the 7th grade division between Friday and Sunday.

The Wolves, coached by Geoff Kappes, opened with a 38-29 win over the Southside Bombers.

Coupeville kept the hot streak going by bouncing Friday Harbor 40-21, before absorbing its only loss in a 40-28 defeat to Mount Vernon, which finished 3rd in the tourney.

Bouncing right back, the Wolves closed their tourney run with a 44-37 win over Lakewood and a 47-37 defeat of the Bellingham Sonics.

“Arguably the best these kids have ever played,” said Wolf Mom Taylor Little. “Great coaching, great playing, and teamwork.

“Coach Kappes is amazing with them. He is an amazing leader and knows how to get kids set up to succeed.”

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Young Wolves dazzle on hardwood

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on March 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville’s 5th graders are hittin’ buckets and claimin’ trophies. (Photo courtesy RayLynn Ratcliff)

The future of boys’ basketball in Coupeville is a bright one.

Two Wolf teams wrapped up an eight-week run in the Skagit County Parks and Rec SWISH League Saturday, with both squads claiming 3rd place finishes in the postseason tourney.

Coupeville’s 5th graders also won the regular-season crown, blitzing to a 7-1 record.

Meanwhile, the 6th/7th grade squad, which pulls five players from each grade, went 4-4 in regular season action.

Both teams showed great growth while squaring off with the mainlanders, something which bodes well for the future.

“For most of these players, this is their third season in this league,” Coupeville coach RayLynn Ratcliff said. “Us coaches are so proud of the work they’ve put in!

“Today they played their hearts out,” she added. “Now they’ll be working hard to compete in tournaments in the off season to continue to grow and develop.”

The rosters:

 

6th/7th grade:

Colton Ashby
Xander Beaman
Diesel Eck
Gracen Joiner
Calvin Kappes
Jonathan Kappes
Jonah Meek
Les Queen
Kamden Ratcliff
River Simpson

 

5th grade:

Alec Christie
Brayden Grinstead
Gabe Ketterling
Hayden Maynes
Mica McCloseky
Dreyke Mendiola
Braxten Ratcliff
Brady Sherman
Nico Strong
Burke Winger

Wolf 6th/7th graders bask in the afterglow of a great season. (Photo courtesy Chase Simpson)

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Tomorrow’s hoops stars scorch nets today

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on July 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Next gen Coupeville hoops stars. (RayLynn Ratcliff photos)

The next generation of Wolf hoop stars is putting in the work today.

A group of incoming Coupeville 5th graders playing SWISH basketball tore up the court this weekend in Arlington, capturing second place at the Hardwood Heat Tournament.

“These boys have worked hard all summer,” said coach RayLynn Ratcliff.

“Joining in on all the youth camps as well as multiple open gyms to grow their skills and love for the game.”

Playing on the mainland, the scrappy Wolves squared off with Lakewood and a Chosen Elite squad, holding their own against the big city ballers.

As Coupeville’s hoops hotshots continue to grow and fine-tune their games, skill is important, but a winning attitude has been their not-so-secret weapon.

“One of the biggest things Brad Sherman and I have been focused on with this group has been JOY!” Ratcliff said.

“Love the game, teamwork and growth!”

 

The squad is:

Brayden Grinstead
Gabe Ketterling
Hayden Mayes
Abel O’Neil
Braxten Ratcliff
Arlo Richards
Brady Sherman
Nico Strong

Getting that sweet, sweet post-game sugar rush. (RayLynn Ratcliffe photo)

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Young guns rule hardwood

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on March 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Sweet treats for the winners. (Erin Coxsey photos)

It was some early March Madness.

Entering play as the #5 seed Saturday, Coupeville shocked the world, claiming the title at the Skagit Parks and Rec 8th grade SWISH boys’ basketball tourney.

After shredding South Whidbey, the Wolves took out the top two teams back-to-back.

Toppling #1 Snohomish in the semifinals sent it to the championship game, where Coupeville walloped #2 Conway by double-digits.

Kings of the gym.

The Wolves are coached by John Weston and Dustin Van Velkinburgh and feature six Coupeville players and two Oak Harbor netters.

The roster includes Carson Grove, Nick Laska, Khanor Jump, Chayse Van Velkinburgh, Nathan Niewald, Trenton Thule, Elijah Weston, and Bennet Esvelt.

Bringing home the trophy.

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Our court, our bright future

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , , on February 25, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Ready to protect home court advantage. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The future of Coupeville boys’ basketball is ready for its closeup.

The pics above and below, which come to us courtesy John Fisken, capture Wolf SWISH players on the same court where they hope to excel one day as high school hardwood heroes.

It’s a dynasty being built, one bucket at a time.

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