After scoring a season low 19 points in its previous game, the Coupeville High School girls basketball team erupted for a season high in a 59-49 win at Orcas Island Friday, Dec. 19.
The Wolves exploited the Vikings’ gimmicky defense to pull out the win. Orcas Island ran a diamond-and-one, matching up on Coupeville’s leading scorer, Makana Stone. Stone still stung the Vikings for 22 points to lead the Coupeville charge.
The Wolves piled up 17 points in the first quarter, six by Stone, for an eight-point lead. Midway through the second period the gap grew to double digits, but the Vikings wouldn’t go away.
The margin remained between eight and 12 the rest of the way as Hannah Brunner-Gaydos kept the Vikings in the game.
She scored 22 of her game high 33 points in the second half to keep the Vikings within striking distance.
The Wolves had leads of 31-23 and 45-35 after the second and third quarters.
While the Wolves scored a season-high 59 points and grabbed the win, they were far from perfect. Coupeville committed 25 turnovers, ran into foul trouble early and lacked patience on offense, according to coach David King.
The Vikings took advantage of the Coupeville fouls and hit 12 of 15 free throws in the game.
Post players Hailey Hammer and Julia Myers missed large chunks of the game because of fouls and the Wolves played much of the game down two starters. Hammer fouled out with more than 5 minutes left in the game; Myers exited with 1:58 left.
King was not happy with the defensive execution: “We are playing sloppy and not anywhere near our potential. We are trying to make a spectacular play instead of the hard-nosed defense that makes us successful.”
He was, however, pleased with the effort: “It wasn’t a clean or pretty game at times, but we kept fighting, and players stepped up either knocking down a shot when needed or making a defensive stop when needed.
“This team does a great job of picking each other up and staying positive during the games. No matter the score or situation, they are fighting for every loose ball and looking to get the ball to an open teammate.”
Stone wasn’t the only offensive standout.
Myers “played really well,” King said, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds and three blocks.
Wynter Thorne “had her best offensive game,” King said, chipping in with nine points and four rebounds.
Kacie Kiel scored eight points and registered seven of Coupeville’s 15 assists.
Hammer had four points and seven rebounds, and Mia Littlejohn scored three points.
Stone added four assists and two blocks to her 22-point night.
Littlejohn showed “flashes of what she can bring to this team, especially as a point guard,” King said. “She is able to penetrate into the key, and she has a good runner she can make. She has good court vision on these drives and is able to see an open teammate and make the correct pass.”
The Wolves (5-3) host Vashon Island at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29.
