A lethargic beginning proved costly as the Coupeville High School girls basketball team lost to visiting Bush 51-27 Saturday, Dec. 1.

“We came out with low energy most of the first half,” coach David King said. “We found a second gear with a little over two minutes left in the second quarter and competed with a little more urgency.”

The Wolves were also hurt by early shooting woes.

“We did get some good shots up, but couldn’t get shots to drop,” King added.

After the slow start, the Wolves played better, King said.

“(It’s) something we can learn from and grow,” he said. “We can’t just turn things on; we need to fight from the beginning and not let up.”

Coupeville trailed 13-4 and 28-10 after the first two quarters, but was outscored by only six points, 23-17, in the second half. The Wolves also collected 19 rebounds after the break after grabbing only 11 in the first two periods.

There were some other positives, according to King.

Tia Wurzrainer scored her first varsity points, Ema Smith fired several sharp passes and Hannah Davidson “brought energy throughout the second half,” King said.

The Wolves also had 15 turnovers, 12 less than in the season opener against Meridian.

Several junior varsity players received some minutes: Ja’Kenya Hoskins led the Wolves with seven rebounds, and Anya Leavell and Izzy Wells each scored their first varsity points.

Coupeville played without three-year starter Lindsey Roberts who was on a college visitation.

Chelsea Prescott scored 9 points to lead the Wolves. Scout Smith and Avalon Renninger had 4 each; and Leavell, Davidson, Wurzrainer, Wells and Nicole Laxton had 2 apiece.

Coupeville (0-2) plays at Sequim (1-0) at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3.