Big fourth quarter carries ATM over Coupeville boys

The fourth-quarter blues hit the Coupeville boys basketball team in its 67-55 home loss Tuesday, Jan. 12, to Archbishop Thomas Murphy.

The Wolves entered the fourth quarter ahead 46-43, but six turnovers, including several out front which led to easy fast break lay ins for the Wildcats, turned the tide and Coupeville couldn’t recover.

ATM went on to outscore the home team 24-9 in the fourth period and won the game going away.

In the first quarter Archbishop Murphy (2-1, 4-5) jumped out to an early lead, but as Coupeville coach Randy King said, “We took care of that by half time.” At the break ATM was up by two, 29-27, then Coupeville pushed ahead in the third.

The Wildcats’ 1-3-1 zone and their small, quick players created problems for Coupeville. King said, “We did not get a lot of open looks.” In all, the Wolves suffered from 23 turnovers in the contest.

Hunter Hammer was the only Coupeville player in double figures, netting 15 points. Jason Bagby and Tim Walstad had eight each, Tyler King and Ian Smith seven each, Erik King five, JD Wilcox three and Chad Brookhouse two.

Coach King said at the beginning of the season that no one team would dominate the Cascade Conference. That statement is playing out. He said, “The difference between the best and the worst team in our league is a very slim margin. You have to be ready to play every night.”

The Wolves (3-2, 8-3) travel to Sultan (1-2, 2-7) Friday, Jan. 15, for the first of five straight away games.

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

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