Coupeville overcomes sluggish start to clip Cowboys / Boys basketball

By Jim Waller • December 19, 2019 1:30 am
Jacobi Pilgrim flips the ball in the hoop during Coupeville’s win over Chimacum Tuesday. (Photo by John Fisken)
Jacobi Pilgrim flips the ball in the hoop during Coupeville’s win over Chimacum Tuesday. (Photo by John Fisken)

After sputtering for a few minutes, the Coupeville High School boys basketball team started hitting on all cylinders in a 69-43 win over visiting Chimacum Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The Wolves (3-4) entertain Port Townsend (1-5) at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, and then host powerful Nooksack Valley (4-1) at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.

Chimacum, winless in six games, stunned the Wolves early, hitting a pair of three-pointers on the way to a 10-5 lead.

That got Coupeville’s attention and the Wolves, behind an effective full-court press, went on a 13-0 run that bridged the first two quarters. Sean Toomey-Stout, attacking the rim, scored the final 8 points of the streak.

After the Cowboys finally scored again to make it 18-12, the Wolves followed with a 10-0 run highlighted by three buckets by Gavin Knoblich.

Coupeville led 14-10 at the quarter and 38-20 at halftime.

The third quarter was much of the same as the Wolves received 6 points from Toomey-Stout and 5 from Jered Brown to take a 60-29 lead into the fourth period.

Toomey-Stout finished with 15 points, Ulrik Wells 13, Hawthorne Wolfe 11, Knoblich 9, Brown 7, Jacobi Pilgrim 6, Tucker Hall 4, Daniel Olson 2 and Jean Lund Olsen 2.

Clayton Smith tallied 14 for the Cowboys.

“I like how we responded (after the slow start),” coach Brad Sherman said. “We came out flat and then we came back with a ton of energy.”

He was also pleased with his aggressive offense.

“We worked on finishing strong at the rack in practice this week, and that’s what we did in the game,” Sherman said.

Sherman liked how he was able to get all his players plenty of minutes in the game.

“Everyone contributed, did something great, which is nice in front of the home crowd,” he said.

Tucker Hall tries to move by Chimacum’s Cade Martin on the way to the basket.(Photo by John Fisken)

Tucker Hall tries to move by Chimacum’s Cade Martin on the way to the basket. (Photo by John Fisken)

Gavin Knoblich scores for the Wolves.(Photo by John Fisken)

Gavin Knoblich scores for the Wolves. (Photo by John Fisken)

Daniel Olson splits the defense of Chimacum’s Cade Martin, left, and Clayton Smith.(Photo by John Fisken)

Daniel Olson splits the defense of Chimacum’s Cade Martin, left, and Clayton Smith. (Photo by John Fisken)

Ulrik Wells dominates the opening tip, leaping above the Cowboy’s Michael Bacchus.(Photo by John Fisken)

Ulrik Wells dominates the opening tip, leaping above the Cowboy’s Michael Bacchus. (Photo by John Fisken)

Hawthorne Wolfe collects a bucket for Coupeville.(Photo by John Fisken)

Hawthorne Wolfe collects a bucket for Coupeville. (Photo by John Fisken)

Jacobi Pilgrim muscles his way to the rim.(Photo by John Fisken)

Jacobi Pilgrim muscles his way to the rim. (Photo by John Fisken)