Missing three of its top six players, the Coupeville High School boys basketball team was no match for Meridian in its 76-23 loss on the Trojans’ floor Saturday, Dec. 4.

Among the missing for the Wolves was all-league post Hunter Hammer, starting guard Tyler King and sixth man Dalton Engle.

Meridian, which finished second in the state last year and with expectations of an equally strong season this winter, took advantage of the short-handed Wolves in the season opener for both teams.

Hunter could be out for a month with back problems, Coupeville coach Randy King said. Engle, fighting knee tendonitis, hopes to be back soon.

Tyler King, who missed the Meridian game because he was on a college recruiting trip, will be on hand when Coupeville plays next, this Friday, Dec. 10, in the league opener at Archbishop Thomas Murphy.

Coach King said, “That will give us one more bullet for our gun.”

The short-handed Wolves failed to score in double figures in any quarter and trailed 25-6 at the end of the first period and 44-15 at the break.

Ben Hayes provided most of the offense with 14 points. Mitch Pelroy had four, Ian Smith three and Nevin Miranda two.

Coach King said two freshmen, Ben Etzell and Gavin O’Keefe, were forced into duty and saw significant playing time.

The Wolves shot just 25 percent from the field and hit just five of 16 free throws. They also committed 19 turnovers to the Trojans’ 11 and were out rebounded 34-17.

Matt Vinke led four Trojans in double figures with 20 points.

Coach King said, “All-in-all, it was quite a tough one out of the gate.”