Wolfpack plans to outwork opponents

New coach Geoff Kappes is well aware of the tradition surrounding Coupeville girls basketball.

Three out of the last four years the Wolfpack made the 1A state tournament and the first-year coach has all intentions of bringing them back again.

“Our goal this year is to make it to Yakima,” Kappes said.

Coupeville will have a good jump on reaching that goal. The Wolves return seven players to their varsity roster from a team that placed eighth in the state last year.

“The team chemistry we’ve had has been really important,” Kappes said.

Leading the way is 6-foot senior Brittany Black. The sharp-shooting forward is the only player who started consistently last year under former coach Greg Oldham.

Also returning to the varsity roster is senior guard Beth Mouw, senior forward Courtney Williams; junior post Sarah Burgoyne; sophomore post Shawna West and sophomore guard Hayley Ebersole.

The core of varsity returners is deep, but Kappes is also excited about some newcomers.

“We’ve had a couple of great additions to the team,” he said.

Six-foot post Jennifer Bailey, who took a year off from basketball, will return this season. Junior guard Chelsea Rosenkrance, a transfer from Oroville is expected to be a helpful addition. Sophomore Kayla Smith is also someone who will see solid varsity minutes.

Kappes anticipates good things coming from this year’s team.

He is concerned, however, about the amount of varsity playing time his returners have had on the court.

“Our biggest challenge this year is going to be the inexperience,” Kappes said.

In order to counter inexperience, Kappes has drilled the Wolves to come out and play more aggressively than they have in the past.

“Our goal this year is to outwork every opponent we play,” he said.

Coupeville finished 12-2 overall in the Northwest A/B last year and ended as league champions.

Kappes hopes CHS can do the same this season as they face off against the likes of Friday Harbor, Concrete and La Conner.

The first-year varsity coach is not sure how the league will stack up this season, but that’s not his first concern.

“I’ve made it a point not to scout too much and worry more about us,” he said.

Tough B schools in the league like Darrington, Shoreline Christian and Mount Vernon Christian should also provide a solid test.

In order to return to the post season Coupeville has to finish as one of the top two A schools in the league. As a number one seed they would clinch a state berth, as a number two they would have to play their way in through a district tournament.

The Wolves open their season Saturday, Nov. 26 with a home jamboree. They play their first game of the season on the road against 3A South Whidbey.

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