Chelsea Prescott flies up-court during an earlier season game. (John Fisken photos)
The future of Wolf basketball is already well aware of how to star in team photos.
The road warriors continue to roll.
Despite playing their entire season away from Whidbey, Coupeville’s 6th/7th grade SWISH girls’ basketball team is soaring.
The latest accomplishment? A decisive doubleheader win Saturday, in which the Wolves won both games by double digits and improved their season mark to a crisp 7-2.
Coupeville shredded Anacortes 20-4, then thumped on Friday Harbor 16-2.
Both the victories, and the manner in which they were captured, showcase a bright future for the young Wolves.
“They play hard and our defense is smothering,” said coach Dustin Van Velkinburgh.
With Coupeville High School girls hoops on top (both the Wolf varsity and JV went 9-0 in league play last year), and the farm system kicking once again into high-gear, it is reawakening memories of the glory days in the late ’90s-mid 2000’s.
David and Amy King have the high school program humming, Bob Martin and Brett Smedley are setting them up with strong work at the middle school level and Van Velkinburgh and Lark Gustafson (3rd to 5th grade SWISH) are igniting hoops passion at a young age.
Their players want to grow up to be the next Makana Stone, the next Kacie Kiel, and one day hang banners in the CHS gym like that duo and past Wolf greats like Ashley Bagby-Ellsworth, Lexie Black and Brianne King.
And this is how that starts, by filling the pipeline on a regular basis, as the town once did so well.
“Mini factory in the ‘Ville,” Van Velkinburgh said with a pleased sigh. “Reminds me of the days of yesteryear.
“Fun years to come!”
Coupeville Sports 