Coupeville girls advance in district

What does a high school basketball team do in a “one and done” game after losing 14 consecutive times? You win, of course.

On Tuesday evening, the 3-16 Coupeville Wolves were facing a win or wait until next season situation when they hosted Friday Harbor in the loser-out opening round of the 1A District 1 girls basketball tournament.

Wolf coach Blake Severns has said all season his young team was on the verge of putting everything together and it happened in the game against the Wolverines.

Coupeville scored three 3-points baskets to open the game to take a 9-0 lead, staved off a Friday Harbor rush that tied the score 39-39 with just under six minutes remaining, and outscored the Wolverines 10-3 down the stretch to claim a 51-44 victory.

It was quite an evening for the Wolf Pack and their faithful fans.

“We learned how to win and to do that you have to win a game. That was a very good thing for a young team like we have to learn,” Severns said.

Junior Megan Smith had a huge game for the red, black and white, scoring 30 points, including nine from 3-point range. She also pulled down seven rebounds and made five steals.

“I felt like we needed to win this game for our teammate, Jessy Caselden, because she is going through some hard times,” Smith said. “Her dad died and we all had ‘W.C.’ printed on our wrists in memory of Willy Caselden. We all stepped up and played for her.”

Senior Kassie Lawson contributed eight points and had three steals, and Mandi Murdy, another senior, was a force under the boards at both ends of the court, grabbing nine rebounds.

The Wolves led 14-6 after the first quarter and were up by 11 points, 26-15, at halftime.

“We really responded,” Severns said. “They brought some pressure late that caused us some trouble, but everyone calmed down and we were able to handle the pressure.”

Maggie Anderson scored 17 points and had nine rebounds for Friday Harbor.

Coupeville plays at 2:30 p.m. today, Feb. 21, at Mount Vernon High School against Nooksack Valley.

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