By Kathryn Wheeler,
Journal contributor
The Wolverines wrapped up basketball season on a celebratory note with big wins over Coupeville.
Girls
On Friday, Girls Varsity Basketball achieved their biggest upset of the season in a riveting game that resulted in a narrow two-point win, 49-47, over the visiting Coupeville Wolves, to whom they lost to by 20 points just two weeks prior. The Wolves came out with a strong start, hitting a number of three-pointers and playing at a faster pace than the Wolverines, who were down 8 points at the half. But when the 4th quarter hit, something switched in Friday Harbor, and with the help of a large and energetic crowd, the girls steadily picked up momentum and finesse, scoring basket after basket and eliminating the Wolves’ lead. Freshman Vera Shultz had a particularly impressive game, with 16 points, alongside junior McKenna Clark, who also carried the team, scoring 17 points. When sophomore Mia Germain, one of the team’s leading scorers, hit a three-pointer with just 36 seconds to spare in the 4th quarter, followed by sophomore Perla Garcia-Sanabria securing a critical point after being fouled in the final seconds, the Wolverines tied up the game to progress to overtime. In overtime, the team came out in full force, with an incredible effort that brought them to their huge win, backed by a loud and proud Friday Harbor crowd that lit up the gym.
After the game, coach Sue Grenfell lauded her seniors, stating that what makes the team special is “The leadership from our seniors Mia and Audrey. They’re positive, they support their team 100% and you can see it out here tonight just with the energy they have with each other.”
The game wraps up the season, leaving the Wolverines with a 5-6 overall record and a final game to remember.
Boys
In the team huddle before the game, Friday Harbor Boys Varsity Basketball head coach Brandyn Pedersen repeated “make every second count”. It was clear that this motto stuck, as the Wolverines achieved an incredible 67-60 upset over the visiting Coupeville Wolves in their last game of the season Friday. Junior Jack Anderson came out especially strong, scoring an impressive 10 points in the first half, which ended with a tied score.
When the Wolves emerged amped up in the second half, the Wolverines fought with incredible force, with senior Jaxson Waldron showing style and skill, as he scored nearly a third of the team’s points. Sophomore Pierce Kleine brought consistency and poise, humbly scoring 13 points to match Andersons’.
As the game clock winded down, the Wolves received a technical foul due to foul play, bringing the Wolverines to the free throw line where they showed focus under pressure, gaining the necessary baskets to bring them to their ultimate win. Coach Pederson celebrated the team he’d cultivated throughout the season, stating that their biggest triumph was their “ability to try to fight through adversity”, especially after losing two years of playing to Covid. The boys had a 4-14 season overall, with Chris Gustafson averaging the highest points per game, at 10 ppg.
With two enormous and shocking wins, both the girls and boys teams left the gym with grins, leaving a sense of great things to come for the future of Friday Harbor Basketball Program.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Perla Garcia-Sanabria makes a shot while teammate Mia Germain looks on.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Mia Blakmon, airborne, as she makes a shot.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler The Wolverine ladies work together throughout the close game.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Wolverines’ girls’ team celebrate the win.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Islanders came out in force to support the Wolverines.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler The Friday Harbor High School Cheerleading Team put on their final halftime performance of the 2023 Winter Season. To celebrate Senior Night, the team choreographed a complex pom and dance routine with advanced stunts to showcase the many skills they learned over this Basketball Season. Back Row: Elizabeth Ockerman. Middle Row: Zoey Folkman, Jasmyn McEwen and Paloma Waldron. Front Row: Lilli Turbnow
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler The Friday Harbor High School Cheerleading Team put on their final halftime performance of the 2023 Winter Season. To celebrate Senior Night, the team choreographed a complex pom and dance routine with advanced stunts to showcase the many skills they learned over this Basketball Season. Back Row: Zoey Folkman, Elizabeth Ockerman and Paloma Waldron. Middle Row: Jasmyn McEwen, Paige Carlton-Flierl and Davan Levine. Front Row: Lupita Soto, Lilli Turnbow and Elsa Kindelberger.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler The Friday Harbor High School Cheerleading Team put on their final halftime performance of the 2023 Winter Season. To celebrate Senior Night, the team choreographed a complex pom and dance routine with advanced stunts to showcase the many skills they learned over this Basketball Season. Back Row: Lupita Soto and Elizabeth Ockerman. Middle Row: Zoey Folkman and Paloma Waldron. Front Row: Paige Carlton-Flierl, Lilli Turnbow and Jasmyn McEwen.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler The Wolverines work past Coupeville blocking to make a shot.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Coach Brandyn Pedersen huddles with the team.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Jaxson Waldron takes a shot.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler From the bench, the Wolverines’ boys’ team cheer each other on.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler An airborne Pierce Kleine fights to take a shot.
Contributed photo by Kathryn Wheeler Wolverines fight aggressive blocking by Coupeville.
