Coupeville High School boys basketball coach Randy King sounded just like former Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray at the conclusion of Friday’s Cascade Conference game against Sultan.
“Holy cow,” the nearly breathless King said.
Trailing by 10 points at halftime the Wolves kept on fighting, never quit and pulled out a 71-68 victory in front of a cheering throng of home-town fans.
“It was pretty fun tonight and there are a lot of smiles on our end,” King said.
Down 59-54 heading into the fourth quarter of play, the Wolves managed to keep the score close and took the game over with 2:12 remaining on the clock.
A steal and a basket by Geoff Wacker tied the score 65-65, but the Turks responded with a hoop to go back in front.
Jason Bagby tied the count once again with a pair of free throws, only to have Sultan’s Zach Beebe nail one of two from the line for a 66-65 lead.
In the final minute of the game, Coupeville’s Cody Peters took command on the floor.
First, the senior took the ball down the baseline and and scored a lay-in basket from the left side for a 67-66 lead with 1:04 remaining on the clock.
The Turks turned the ball over on their next possession with 20 seconds left, only to have Theo VandenEkart steal Coupeville’s in-bounds pass and nail the shot for a 68-67 lead.
Then, with only eight seconds left, Peters took the ball into the paint, hit the shot and drew a foul.
Peters missed his free throw attempt, but teammate Hunter Hammer grabbed the rebound and put the ball back in for the final score.
Peters said the Wolves started out slow and then played right with the Turks in the second half.
“They have kind of a small team, so we were able to get them down low,” he said. “This was a big win to get us back in rhythm, and I’m happy to be in Coupeville tonight.”
Peters scored 19 points, Bagby had 15 and Hammer was the third player in double figures for the Wolves with 14 points.
“Cody really turned it on for us in the second half,” King said. “I guess this is why we keep coming to the gym every night.”
