Season-opening games are generally sloppy, but Coupeville High School girls basketball coach David King was more than pleased with the quality of his team’s effort in a 47-23 romp over South Whidbey Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Langley.
The Wolves received contributions throughout the lineup as eight of the nine players scored and all up one registered an assist.
The greatest contribution came from Makana Stone, who finished with 17 points, 18 rebounds, three steals, three assists and two blocks.
Coupeville did turn the ball over on its first two possessions, but from that point it was smooth sailing. With five players scoring in each of the first two periods, the Wolves built leads of 12-4 and 23-10.
A steal by Hailey Hammer and an assist from Stone got things rolling in the first quarter.
In the second period, Julia Myers dropped in two jumpers and the Coupeville defense “started to get more active,” according to King, as the Wolves pulled away.
Behind nine points from Stone, most coming off offensive rebounds, Coupeville buried the Falcons in the third quarter, leading 40-14 heading into the final period.
“We have talked as a team leading up to last night about being patient on offense and moving the ball,” King said. “I told the players after the game, this is probably the most patient team I have coached in a game offensively. We stayed spread, moved the ball and stayed within our strengths. By doing this we had many open shots.”
King also like his defense: “(It) is still our strong suit, and overall we didn’t disappoint.”
King praised the play of his bench — Monica Vidoni, Wynter Thorne, McKenzie Bailey and Mia Littlejohn — and its ability to “pick up where the starters left off.”
Myers followed Stone in scoring, ending with eight points; Vidoni had five points, three rebounds and a block; Maddi Strasburg two points and three assists; Kacie Kiel four points; Hammer four points, three rebounds and two assists; Thorne four points, three rebounds and two assists; and Bailey two assists.
Bailey also brought “energy on the defensive end,” King said.
Freshman Littlejohn made her varsity debut and scored three points.
The Wolves finished with 35 rebounds (20 on offense), nine steals, 14 assists and 15 turnovers.
Coupeville hosts Darrington at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Bellevue Christian at 12:15 Saturday, Dec. 6.
