Can the Coupeville High School girls basketball team remain perfect in Olympic League play?

Since joining the conference three years ago, the Wolves have won every league game on the way to winning three titles.

If they want to continue the streak, the Wolves will need to replace four starters.

“The returning players have experience, but losing four starters is something we will have to work through early on,” coach David King said. “(We will have) new roles for players this year, and we just need to find our way with rotations and mesh.”

Junior Lindsay Roberts is the lone returning starter, but Coupeville does return two players who logged a bundle of minutes last year, senior Mikayla Elfrank and junior Kalia Littlejohn, and three other letter winners: seniors Kyla Briscoe and Allison Wenzel and junior Sarah Wright.

Among the key newcomers are junior Ema Smith and sophomores Scout Smith and Avalon Renninger.

Besides the lack of returning starters, King is concerned about patience on offense, the lack of height and outside shooting.

“We know our plays, run them well, but there are times throughout a game that we allow ourselves to play rushed and out of control,” King said.

The Wolves will need to overcome their lack of height with quickness and determination, according to King.

The team’s strengths are its tenacious defense, versatility, speed, strength, and unselfish and positive attitude, King said.

“We have had good success in the Olympic League,” King said. “We want to continue with that success and we believe we are still a very good team and looking to make districts.

“This year the gap has closed from top to bottom between the teams. I’m sure the other three teams are gunning for a playoff spot and looking to claim first place. We are no exception in wanting to come out on top.

“Once we get to districts, we want to prove why we are there. Making state is the ultimate.”

King likes the mix of players on his club, adding, “I’m excited to see what this group can accomplish this year.”

Coupeville has a tough opening week, playing four games in six days (five in seven if you count the jamboree).

The Wolves (15-6, 9-0 last year) play at the Sedro-Woolley jamboree at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, then go to Bellingham (2-18) at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27. Two days later, they host Blaine (5-15) at 7 p.m.