Poor shooting and poor ball handling by the Coupeville High School girls basketball team equaled a 48-25 loss to visiting Meridian in the season debut Friday, Dec. 2.

The Wolves hit just six field goals, and 30 turnovers limited their shot opportunities to 25 in the loss.

The Wolves got more points at foul line, 13, than from the field, but hit only 50 percent of their free throws.

The first quarter was the best for Coupeville as it hit three field goals, turned the ball over only four times and trailed by just one, 8-7.

The turnovers began to pile up in the second quarter, but Coupeville was able to stay in the game because of Meridian fouls. The Wolves sank nine of 14 free throws and trailed 22-16 at the break.

Coupeville jumped to a 14-10 lead with the help of six straight Katie Smith foul shots. The lead was erased when Coupeville committed four turnovers in less than a minute. The miscues started a 12-2 run for Meridian.

The Trojans pushed the lead to 11, 32-21, heading into the fourth quarter, where Coupeville’s shooting woes continued.

Cassidi Rosenkrance sank the only Wolf bucket in the final period and 10 more turnovers thwarted any comeback attempt.

Smith topped the Coupeville scorers with 11 points, nine from the line. Rosenkrance had eight points, Taya Boonstra two, Jai’Lysa Hoskins two, Lauren Escalle one and Shelby Kulz one.

Coach Jackie Bykonen said, “Overall, I am pleased with more aspects than discouraged.”

She added, “I was more pleased with the first half than the second; we were just not making smart plays.”

Play will improve, Bykonen said, because her players “want to get better.”

“There are better vibes this year,” she said. “We don’t have to worry about the drama.”

Coupeville takes on Darrington (2-0) at home Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 5:15 p.m. The Loggers have posted wins of 46 and 38 points so far this year.