The lack of experience of the Coupeville High School boys basketball team was evident in the Wolves’ season-opening lopsided losses Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Coupeville returns only two members from last year’s varsity squad, and the young Wolves struggled against Blaine’s pressure defenses in a 72-28 home loss.

Blaine outscored Coupeville 49-11 in the middle periods thanks to multiple scoring opportunities produced by its full- and half-court presses.

The Borderites turned three Coupeville turnovers into a 7-0 run midway through the opening period to take a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.

Blaine’s press did even more damage in the second period when the Borderites outscored the Wolves 25-4. At one point, the Borderites scored 22 straight points, 10 of the final 11 coming after Coupeville mistakes.

Coupeville coach Anthony Smith used three timeouts during the run to try to settle his club down.

“We had some young guys who haven’t played much, and it showed,” Smith said. “Blaine went to the half-court trap, and it took us out of our game.

“It was kind of a physical game, and we have to be ready to step up for that.”

Smith saw some positives in the game: “At times we played good defense, and we showed a little bit in the fourth quarter.”

Coupeville outscored the Borderites 10-9 in the final period with the help of five points from reserve Jered Brown.

“We’ll watch some film and learn from it and move on,” Smith said. “We just have to improve in practice, and we just have to get our feet wet.”

Hunter Smith led the Wolves with 11 points. Brown and Gabe Wynn picked up 5 each; Brian Shank had 3; and Steven Cope and Ariah Bepler added 2 apiece.

Ben Adams poured in 27 for Blaine.

Coupeville (0-1) hosts Sultan (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.