WHIDBEY ISLAND, Washington (STPNS) -- When you look at sports teams at Coupeville High School over the past decade, one program stands above all others.

With three state banners to its credit, girls' basketball has been the pride and glory of Wolf Nation from 2000-2009. Now, as he heads into his second year as head coach, Blake Severns has a quick, aggressive squad primed to make a run at returning to the state glory Coupeville teams tasted just a few seasons ago.

Then, led by players such as speedy play-making guard Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby and shot-blocker supreme Lexie Black, the Wolves took home a sixth-place trophy in 2002, then added eighth-place finishes in 2003 and 2005.



Now, anchored by high-scoring guard Megan Smith and hustling dynamos such as Courtney Boyd and Marie Hesselgrave, Coupeville seems poised to recapture a bit of its past glory.

"Looking at what we have coming back and what others lost, our goal is to make it back to the state tournament," Severns said. "We have the experience and desire to do so."

A young team hurt by injuries to key players a season ago, this year's squad will mix battle-hardened veterans with promising younger players.

Smith, a senior, pumped in a team-high 14 points per game last season and was selected by coaches as a second team All-League pick in the competitive Cascade Conference. She'll be joined on the front lines by senior forward Ashley Manker, who missed all of last season after suffering an ACL injury during soccer season. As a sophomore, Manker started and averaged seven points and six rebounds a game.

Boyd, Hesselgrave and three sophomores who played quite a bit as ninth graders - Cassidi Rosenkrance, Amanda Manker and Katie Smith - should see considerable floor time for the Wolves. Kendra O'Keefe, a guard who played JV most of last season but stepped up to score 11 points in a district playoff game against Nooksack Valley, is also expected to have a key role.

With a number of players expected to make solid contributions, Severns has a team where everyone has a role and each is ready to fulfill her part of the team mission.

"We were a young team last year and return many of our top contributors," Severns said.

"Courtney Boyd and Marie Hesselgrave are outstanding defenders and epitomize hustle. Cassidi Rosenkrance started much of last year and played point guard, and Katie Smith played a lot of minutes last year and plays much taller than she is.

"Amanda Manker is a great post defender and has developed her ability to score in the post as well," he added. "We have a core group of very dedicated athletes, and our overall team speed and quickness will be a strength."

While Coupeville is a quick team, it may face a height problem against some schools. Getting someone to score consistently along with Smith will be an issue the Wolves will need to deal with as well.

"Our lack of height could be an issue on defense and rebounding, but we do have many girls who play taller than they are," Severns said.

"Last year we did struggle scoring points, but I believe we'll be better at that this year. We saw this improve when we played during the summer."

As always, life in the Cascade Conference won't be easy. Coupeville is one of just two Class A schools in the eight-team A/AA league, and the other Class A school is King's, which has placed in the top four at state in nine of the past 13 seasons, winning three state titles.

Leading the bigger schools is Archbishop Thomas Murphy, which lost to Lynden in the Class AA state final last season.

"Archbishop Murphy has most of its key players back. Sultan has their top three players back and King's made it to state last year and have most of their team back," Severns said. "Having said that, Murphy is the only team that is far and above the rest. Many other teams have a chance to do well this year."

Include Coupeville on that list.