The Coupeville girls basketball team found out why Archbishop Thomas Murphy is the league leader and ranked fourth in the state in 2A basketball Tuesday.

The Wildcats (3-0, 7-2) whipped the Wolves 61-51 at ATM.

Archbishop Murphy buried Coupeville 21-4 in the first quarter and pushed the lead to 42-16 at the half.

A strong second half helped Coupeville cut into the lead. Ashley Manker scored eight of her team-high 15 points in the third as the Wolves outscored the Wildcats 13-12. Still down 56-33 with 4:30 left, Coupeville finished with a 18-5 run against ATM’s reserves. In all, the Wolves outscored Archbishop Murphy 22-7 in the fourth period.

Manker grabbed five rebounds to go along with her 15 points. Megan Smith had 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals; and Cassidi Rosenkrance added eight points, three assists and three steals. Marie Hesselgrave scored six points, Kendra O’Keefe five, Katie Smith two and Courtney Boyd two.

Coupeville (3-2, 8-3) goes to Sultan Friday, Jan. 15, then returns home Tuesday, Jan. 19, for a game with Lakewood (0-3, 0-8) at 7 p.m.