It was a rough start in the 1A district tournament for the Coupeville High School girls basketball team. The Wolves lost 61-15 at Nooksack Valley Monday, Feb. 10.

Coupeville (12-6) hosts Meridian (10-12) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in a loser-out game. Meridian lost to North Sound Conference champion King’s 42-36 Monday.

If the Wolves win Tuesday, they play at either Cedar Park Christian or Lynden Christian at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.

“We ran into a buzz saw named Nooksack,” Coupeville coach Scott Fox said. “(Nooksack Valley played) stifling defense and precision offense. They played great and we couldn’t get out of first gear.”

Nooksack Valley (16-5) also defeated Coupeville 52-30 in a non-league game Dec. 21.

The Pioneers jumped on the Wolves early in the tournament opener, racing to a 21-3 first-quarter lead behind 9 points from Maya Galley.

Coupeville received 4 points from Anya Leavell in the second quarter, but Nooksack Valley increased its lead to 34-9.

The Wolves failed to score in the third quarter and the Pioneers headed into the fourth period with a 44-9 lead.

Leavell led Coupeville in scoring with 8 points. Audrianna Shaw added 4, Tia Wurzrainer 2 and Avalon Renninger, the only starter to score, 1.

McKenna Wichers topped the Pioneers with 14.

Mollie Bailey puts up a jump shot. (Photo by John Fisken)

Hannah Davidson passes to a teammate. (Photo by John Fisken)

Anya Leavell leads the fast break. (Photo by John Fisken)

Carolyn Lhamon shoots over the Nooksack Valley defense. (Photo by John Fisken)

Avalon Renninger fires up a shot. (Photo by John Fisken)

Scout Smith looks for an opening in the Nooksack Valley defense. (Photo by John Fisken)

Izzy Wells prepares to pass the ball up court. (Photo by John Fisken)

Tia Wurzrainer goes for 2. (Photo by John Fisken)