When building a basketball team, most coaches want to start with a talented big man in the middle.

Coupeville coach Randy King has that anchor in returning first-team, all-Cascade Conference center Hunter Hammer. The 6-5 senior averaged a double-double last winter in helping the Wolves to a 16-5 record and second place in the league, just behind rival King’s.

Coupeville and King’s are the only 1A schools in the predominately 2A Cascade Conference.

King, who was the league’s co-coach of the year in 2009-10, said that if the Wolves stay healthy they should once again challenge for the conference crown. He said, “It really helps our post season chances of moving beyond district if we can finish above King’s in league.” The top-seeded 1A school gets a bye in the lost-out, first round at district.

Hammer’s effectiveness in the post will be limited if he doesn’t have teammates who can get him the ball. The Wolves have that covered with two athletic senior guards, Ian Smith and Tyler King.

Smith, coming off an all-conference football season, should help Hammer with the scoring load, and King, a state cross country champion, is a lock-down defender.

Returning lettermen Ben Hayes and Nevin Miranda will play bigger roles this winter, according to coach King. He added, Mitch Pelroy “will be a contributor,” and that Scott Davidson and Nic Anthony are “steady and reliable guys.”

Letterman Dalton Engle also returns but has been limited so far by tendinitis.

King said the strengths of this year’s team are “good guard play, size and team work.” He added that the team also has “great communication.”

The Wolves have a tough nonleague schedule which includes traditional powers Meridian, Bellevue Christian and La Conner and the first four games are on the road.

First up are trips to Meridian Friday, Dec. 3; Darrington, Wednesday, Dec. 8; Archbishop Thomas Murphy Friday, Dec. 10; and Friday Harbor, Saturday, Dec. 11. The Murphy game is the conference opener.

After the Wolves host Cedarcrest Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., they hit the road for three more away games.

Coupeville High School Boys Basketball 2010-11

Date Opponent Site Time

Fri., Dec. 3 Meridian Meridian 7 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 8 Darrington Darrington 6 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 10 Arch. Murphy Arch. Murphy 7 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 11 Friday Harbor Friday Harbor 1:30 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 14 Cedarcrest Coupeville 7 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 17 King’s King’s 7 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 18 University Prep University Prep 3:30 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 21 Bell. Christian Bell. Christian 7 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 28 La Conner Coupeville 7 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 4 South Whidbey Coupeville 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 7 Granite Falls Granite Falls 7 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 11 Sultan Coupeville 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 14 Lakewood Lakewood 7 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 18 Cedarcrest Cedarcrest 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 21 King’s Coupeville 5:15 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 25 South Whidbey South Whidbey 7 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 28 Granite Falls Coupeville 7 p.m.

Tues., Feb. 1 Sultan Sultan 7 p.m.

Fri., Feb. 4 Lakewood Coupeville 7 p.m.

Mon., Feb. 7 Arch. Murphy Coupeville 7 p.m.

Wed., Feb.10 District TBD TBD

Sat., Feb. 12 Tri-district TBD TBD

Tues., Feb. 15 Tri-district TBD TBD

Feb. 17-19 Tri-district Mountlake Ter. TBD

Feb. 25-26 Regionals TBD TBD

March 3-5 State Yakima TBD