The Coupeville High School girls basketball team’s willingness to work paid early dividends as the Wolves defeated visiting Meridian 46-34 Saturday, Dec. 7.
The night before, Cedar Park Christian-Bothell stopped the host Wolves 49-39. After to the loss, the Coupeville players asked coach David King if they could come in early Saturday to sharpen their skills for that afternoon’s game with Meridian.
The morning session primed Coupeville for its nonleague win over the Trojans, King said, and displayed the team’s excellent work ethic.
“They are a great group of girls,” King said.
Meridian, with the help of a rash of Coupeville turnovers, led 10-8 after one quarter.
The Wolves took the lead for good at the beginning of the second quarter on two free throws by Makana Stone and a bucket by Amanda Fabrizi. Those scores plus two free throws by Julia Myers, three by Fabrizi and six points by Hailey Hammer contributed to a 15-2 run.
The Coupeville defense limited the Trojans to only two points for the first 6:15 of the second quarter, but another knot of turnovers allowed Meridian to score eight points in the final 1:45 to cut the lead to 23-20 at the half.
Hoops by Fabrizi, Bree Messner (off an assist by Stone) and Madeline Strasburg pushed the gap to 29-20 in the first two minutes of the third quarter, and Coupeville stayed in front 33-26 heading into the final frame.
A three-point basket and a steal and layup by Fabrizi opened the fourth quarter and a 12-point lead. Meridian never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Fabrizi led all scorers with 13 points. Hammer finished with eight, Strasburg seven, Stone six, Messner four, Kacie Kiel four and Myers two. Monica Vidoni also chipped in with her first varsity points with a first-quarter field goal.
Stone had a fine all-around game, pulling down an impressive 18 rebounds and adding six blocks. Myers also had three blocks.
Strasburg had seven steals and Messner six as the Wolves forced 18 turnovers.
Coupeville committed 32 turnovers.
Riley Zapien led the Trojans with 11 points.
Meridian (1-1) up-ended South Whidbey 27-23 Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Cedar Park Christian (1-0) jumped on Coupeville early and then hit 15 of 24 four-quarter free throws to hang on.
The Eagles limited the Wolves to seven points in the first quarter and a paltry four in the second to go up 12-7 and 22-11 at the end of the periods.
Four three-pointers by four different players helped Cedar Park Christian to the half-time lead.
King said his club struggled with first-game jitters but settled in and challenged CPC in the second half.
Six points by Strasburg and two each from Fabrizi, Myers and Stone helped Coupeville cut the deficit to 30-23 heading into the last period.
The Eagles were just 2-for-7 at the line before the fourth period but secured the game with its foul shooting over the final eight minutes.
Meanwhile, Coupeville hurt itself by not connecting on its free chances, making only four of 18.
Strasburg, who hit two three-pointers, paced Coupeville with 16 points. Stone and Fabrizi had six each, Messner five, Kiel three, Myers two and Wynter Thorne one.
The Eagles’ Laura Goodnight scored a game-high 18 points, including hitting seven of 10 fourth-quarter free throws. Madison Parmenter added 10 points, six from the line.
Coupeville (1-1) goes on the road twice this week. First it begins league play at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Cedarcrest (3-0), then goes to Lakewood (1-1) at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
