The Coupeville girls have a number of experienced basketball players returning to the lineup for the 2006-07 season along with some promising newcomers, and second-year head coach Geoff Kappes is excited about the prospects for a successful season.

“I have a lot more experience this year than I had last year,” he said. “Last season, I had just one player with any significant varsity time. I’m quite excited about seeing more experienced players.”

Last season, Coupeville finished 11-13 overall and reached the state tournament in Yakima. The girls were eliminated in their second game 60-32 by Columbia Burbank.

This season, the Wolves will be led by returning seniors Sarah Burgoyne, Alyssa Kelley and Chelsea Rosenkrance.

At 6-0, Burgoyne will be a force at the post, while the 5-7 Rosenkrance was a solid player on the volleyball court and Kelley was Coupeville’s goal keeper on the soccer team.

Other returning players include juniors Hayley Ebersole, Shawnna West and Kayla Lawson.

“All those girls gained experience playing as juniors and sophomores last year and they should only get better,” Kappes said.

New to the realm are sophomores Anna Myhr and Kassie Lawson, along with promising freshmen Megan Smith and Ashley Manker.

“Megan and Ashley both played summer ball and I’m interested to see how they do at the varsity level,” Kappes said.

The Wolves will need all the experience and talent they can muster playing in the Cascade League this season.

“King’s is the defending state champion and lost just one player off last year’s team,” Kappes said. “I heard they picked up another couple of good players as well. Archbishop Murphy should also have a strong team as they usually do. Those two teams should be the ones to beat this year.”

Coupeville opens the season with a pair of roads games at Sequim on Dec. 2 and Darrington Dec. 8, and hosts Seattle Christian Dec. 9.