Turnovers hurt Wolves | Boys basketball

The visiting South Whidbey High School boys basketball team took advantage of early Coupeville mistakes to jump to a quick lead on the way to a 61-36 win Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The visiting South Whidbey High School boys basketball team took advantage of early Coupeville mistakes to jump to a quick lead on the way to a 61-36 win Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The Wolves turned the ball over five times in the first three minutes, allowing South Whidbey to zip to a 9-2 lead.

From there, the Falcons (1-0) led 18-7, 36-13 and 49-23 after the first three periods.

Coupeville finished with 26 turnovers.

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Risen Johnson scored five of the Wolves’ seven first-quarter points, and Jordan Ford came off the bench to get four of Coupeville’s six in the second period.

The fourth quarter was the only frame Coupeville outscored the Falcons, holding a 13-12 edge. Wiley Hesselgrave scored six points in the period, including sinking a three-ball; Johnson added another trey.

The Wolves hurt themselves at the foul line, missing eight shots in the first half and missing opportunities to slice into the Falcons’ lead.

For the game, Coupeville made only 11 of 24 free throws. Hesselgrave, who led the Wolves with 13 points, sank five of eight foul shots; the rest of the team hit just six of 16.

Johnson finished the game with 10 points, Ford eight, Ryan Griggs three and Gabe Wynn two.

The Wolves played without starting guard Hunter Smith, who is out with a back injury.

“We weren’t ready to play,” Coupeville coach Anthony Smith said. “They wanted it more than we did. They were a good enough team that if you turn the ball over, they are going to make you pay for it.”

Smith said the one bright spot was the play of Ford, who helped Coupeville at both ends of the court and on the boards.

South Whidbey’s Chase White, slashing to the hoop, and Maxfield Friedman, working inside, led all scorers with 16 points.

Coupeville (0-2) travels to Bellevue Christian for a 5:30 p.m. game Saturday, Dec. 5, and then comes back home to face Mount Baker at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7.

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