The Coupeville High School girls basketball team closed out the regular season with a 49-31 loss at first-place Archbishop Thomas Murphy Friday, Feb. 4.

Although the Wolves lost, coach Jackie Bykonen called it “one of the best games of the season.”

Coupeville went toe-to-toe with the state-ranked Wildcats until midway through the fourth quarter. At that point ATM (13-1, 16-3) pulled away to lock up a share of the Cascade Conference title with King’s.

The Wildcats led 11-9 after the first quarter, 21-19 at the half and 33-27 at the end of the third period.

Kendra O’Keefe scored seven points, Amanda Manker six, Cassidi Rosenkrance five, Courtney Arnold four, Jai’Lysa Hoskins three, Taya Boonstra two, Mehgan Metlow two, Katie Smith one and Lauren Escalle one.

Bykonen said, “I played everyone and substituted more. The girls were fresher and I think it went well.”

Coupeville (2-12, 3-17) meets Nooksack Valley (8-11) Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School in the sub-district. The winner advances to tri-district, the loser is out.

Bykonen said the Pioneers rely on post play for success and the Wolves are working on stopping Nooksack’s strength.

Nooksack is led in scoring by 6-foot postmen Allison Johnson (12.4 points per game) and Melissa Stadt (8.2).

She added if the Wolves like they did against Archbishop Murphy, “They can win.”