First-game nerves contributed to a slow start for the Coupeville High School boys basketball team in its 84-50 loss at Blaine Saturday, Dec. 7.
The Wolves had trouble taking care of the basketball and the Borderites — especially Josiah Westbrook — had little trouble converting the mistakes into points.
Westbrook scored 22 second-quarter points on the way to 27 for the half to lead the Blaine blitz.
The Borderites went up 22-12 in the first quarter and put the game away by outscoring the Wolves 28-10 in the second period behind a flood of turnovers.
Blaine’s burst was aided by frequent trips to the foul line, owning a 16-4 edge in first-half fouls.
The Wolves eventually lost three players with five fouls.
Coupeville coach Anthony Smith said “some of the guys were a bit nervous” and it took a few quarters for his players to settle down; the Wolves went on to outscore Blaine 17-15 in the third quarter.
Because of foul trouble, Coupeville was forced to shift to a zone defense in the second quarter and Westbrook drained threes and slashed to the basket.
“He was shooting from 30 (feet),” Smith said.
Westbrook ended up with 29 points, including four three-pointers, and seven assists.
Teammate Shaq Williams added 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Smith, who saw Blaine play the previous night, said, “I honestly thought we could beat these guys. We just need to execute better.”
“We did some good things, but we need to do them on a more consistent basis,” Smith added.
The Wolves ran the break well at times, Smith said, and he liked the play of Matt Shank and Morgan Payne.
“Shank played a nice second half,” Smith said, and “Payne played a good floor game.”
The Wolves will look at the game film and make adjustments, Smith said. “We will work hard and get better.”
“We will regroup,” Smith added. “We need some kids to step up and lead.”
Nick Streubel scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Coupeville. Wiley Hesselgrave added 11 points, Payne eight, Shank six, Joel Walstad five, Aaron Trumbull four and Anthony Bergeron two.
Coupeville hosts Cedarcrest in the league opener at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Red Wolves are off to a 3-0 start and were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches’ poll.
