The Coupeville High School boys basketball team was outscored by 25 points at the foul line, and that was the difference in a 74-47 loss at South Whidbey Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The game followed a similar pattern as the Wolves’ loss the previous evening to Meridian. Coupeville played even until midway through the second period, then the wheels fell off.
Turnovers and poor shooting contributed again, but the discrepancy at the free throw line was the killer.
The Falcons hit 29 of 37 free throws while the Wolves made only four of 11. Coupeville committed 25 fouls and lost three players to disqualification. South Whidbey fouled 14 times.
The Falcons led 14-13 after the first period, then Coupeville zipped to a 24-19 lead. Like Monday’s game, the Wolves suffered through rough patch in the second half of the second quarter.
South Whidbey finished the half on a 20-2 run and then continued to build upon the cushion in the third quarter.
The Falcons led 58-35 heading into the last period.
The Wolves had no answer for Parker Collins, who scored at least six points in every quarter and finished with 30. He made all 12 of his free throws.
Ricky Muzzy bullied his way into the lane for buckets or free throws and scored 13 points. Point guard Lewis Pope added 12.
Aaron Curtin had a solid game for Coupeville, registering 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
“(He) played lights out,” coach Anthony Smith said. “If the others would follow his lead, we would be all right. If they had his demeanor in practice and the games, we would be in good shape.”
Smith said its was “a different called game,” in regard to the foul situation, then added, “That had nothing to do with our turnovers and not being able to put the ball in the basket.
“We played 12 minutes of good basketball; we need to play a full 32.”
Smith said he is still very optimistic and that “we will figure things out; we have a few things in the pot.”
Wiley Hesselgrave and Joel Walstad each scored seven points for Coupeville; C.J. Smith added six; Gabe Wynn and Risen Johnson had four each; and Aaron Trumbull and Ryan Griggs tallied two apiece.
Coupeville (0-2) plays twice at home this weekend. Darrington (0-0) visits at 5:15 p.m. Friday and Bellevue Christian (0-0) at 2 Saturday.
