Girls basketball: Meridian's zone puzzles Wolves

The Coupeville girls basketball team failed to figure out Meridians' zone defense and the result was a 38-22 loss at Laurel Friday, Dec. 3.

The loss evened the Wolves' record at 1-1 as they head into league action this week, hosting Archbishop Thomas Murphy Friday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.

Coupeville coach Jackie Bykonen said, "It was pretty much a lack of experience. We don't understand the offensive concepts against a zone."

She added, "We didn't get a lot of shots; we didn't handle it well."

It was the Wolves' defense that stood out in the first quarter as Coupeville took a 7-3 lead. Things changed in the second quarter as turnovers and Meridian's zone began to take their toll.

The Trojans outscored Coupeville 15-4 in the second period to take an 18-11 lead into the locker room. After a tight third quarter, Meridian pulled away in the fourth.

In a game which "no one shot well," according Bykonen, Kendra O'Keefe topped Coupeville scorers with eight points. She was followed by Katie Smith with five, Jai'Lysa Hoskins with three, Lauren Escalle and Courtney Arnold with two each and Cassidi Rosenkrance and Amanda Manker with one apiece.

Bykonen said there were a few bright spots in the loss. She said her team pressed effectively, forcing Meridian into poor shot selection; however, she added, her club sometimes failed to block out and gave the Trojans second chances.

Bykonen also liked the play of Taya Boonstra who "came off the bench and gave us some energy."

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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