After a dismal first half, visiting Port Townsend exploded in the second to whip Coupeville 39-26 in a battle for first place in the Olympic League Friday, Jan. 26.

The Redhawks (5-2, 7-10) took over the conference’s top spot with the win, as Coupeville (4-3, 6-12) fell into a tie for second with Chimacum (4-3, 7-9).

With two league games remaining, the Wolves, who have won the past three titles, can finish anywhere from first to third in the final standings. Three teams qualify for the postseason, and Coupeville is assured of a berth because fourth-place Klahowya (1-6, 4-13) is out of contention.

Coupeville plays a non-league game at Sequim (7-11) at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, and then finishes Olympic League play with a game at Klahowya at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, and with Chimacum at home at 5:15 p.m. Saturday. Feb. 3.

Port Townsend 39, Coupeville 26

Neither team tore up the nets in the first half. The Wolves led 10-5 after the first quarter, then both teams scored only 2 points in the second as Coupeville went into the locker room up 12-7.

After scoring only 7 points in the first two periods, the Redhawks tallied 10 in less than three minutes to begin the second half.

Coupeville’s struggles continued, scoring only 4 points in the period, and Port Townsend went into the final quarter with a 22-16 lead.

The Wolves’ offense improved in the fourth, knocking 10 points, but the Redhawks, behind 9 points from Kaitlyn Meek, countered with 17.

Meek finished with a game-high 19 points, and Issy Hammett added 10, all in the second half.

Lindsey Roberts and Chelsea Prescott each scored 7 for the Wolves, Scout Smith had 4, Ema Smith 3, Sarah Wright 3 and Hannah Davidson 2.

Wright also hauled in 12 rebounds and had two steals and two assists; and Roberts added 9 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Chelsea Prescott looks to feed the post in Friday’s game with Port Townsend. (Photo by John Fisken)

Scout Smith launches a long shot for the Wolves Friday. (Photo by John Fisken)