Girls basketball: Second quarter run helps ATM top Wolves

A big blitz in the second quarter helped visiting Archbishop Thomas Murphy defeat the Coupeville girls basketball team 66-38 Friday, Dec. 10.

The Wildcats outscored the Wolves 18-2 in the second period in the Cascade Conference opener for both teams.

Coupeville (1-2) travels to Friday Harbor (2-0) today, Dec. 11, and then to Cedarcrest (1-0, 2-1) Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Coupeville coach Jackie Bykonen said ATM started “hitting outside shots” in the second quarter and “got on a good run.” The Wolves, on the other hand, “were just missing shots” in the period, according to Bykonen.

The few mistakes the Wolves did commit in the period were turned into points by the Wildcats. Bykonen said, “They are a good team and they capitalize on every turnover.”

By the time the second quarter onslaught was finished, Archbishop Murphy led 37-14.

Bykonen said, “Our defense breakdowns hurt us.” She was disappointed in her team’s man-to-man weak side defense, but said the Wolves also “did a lot of good things.”

She added, “Our guards did a good job penetrating.”

The Wolves were hurt by the absence of one of its leading scorers, Kendra O’Keefe, who will be out indefinitely with an Achilles injury.

Katie Smith, who Bykonen said “played a really good game,” led Coupeville with 10 points and eight rebounds. However, she injured her ankle late in the game and will also miss today’s contest at Friday Harbor.

Cassidi Rosenkrance added eight points for the Wolves against the Wildcats. Taya Boonstra and Amanda Manker chipped in with six points each, and Courtney Arnold and Bessie Walstad each had four.

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

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