Braves hoop team blister nets, win 2

With a frigid winter cold snap outside, the La Conner Braves turned up the heat inside gyms at Coupeville and Darrington for a pair of key NW2B/1B high school hoops triumphs last week.

Fittingly, given the plunging temps, La Conner’s 69-68 victory at Coupeville Jan. 16 was a classic barnburner. The Braves then scorched the nets Friday night enroute to a lopsided 76-35 decision at Darrington.

“It was a good conference win after two days off for weather,” coach Lance Lopez told the Weekly News after the route of the Loggers. “The boys played hard and we got everyone in the game.

“It’s always nice,” he added, “to go on the road and come away with a win.”

While the Darrington game was a laugher, the contest at Coupeville was filled with drama.

The Braves rebounded from a 25-9 early deficit to take a 33-30 lead at the break. The Wolves bounced back to go in front 65-61 late in the final stanza.

La Conner was able to offset a game-high 36 points from Coupeville’s Logan Downes, who entered the game averaging 25 points per outing.

Downes drained eight perimeter treys.

C.J. Edwards fueled a late rally with a mid-range jumper and two free throws that clinched the Braves’ win.

Ivory Damien paced the attack with 28 points. Brayden Pedroza added 24 for the victors.

Edwards finished with nine points while Corran Eisen and Tyler Cicotte rounded out La Conner’s scoring with four points apiece.

The Braves also benefitted from solid play by reserve Logan Burks.

“He did a really good job of providing a spark for us and turning up the energy,” Lopez said.

Both teams played through foul issues in an often-physical matchup. Two Coupeville players fouled out.

“It was just a great effort and huge conference win for us,” Lopez said. “The boys played through some foul trouble to come away with a win.”

After falling behind early, La Conner used the proficiency behind the three-point stripe that it has shown all season to shoot its way back into the game. Ignited by multiple perimeter treys, the Braves went on a 26-5 run to take a three-point halftime lead.

The longtime rivals have now played three straight nailbiters dating to last season with the Braves winning two, including the 2023 Bi-District title on the Wolves’ court.

At Darrington, nine players reached the scoring column, led by Pedroza (29) and Damien (17).

Eisen and Burks added seven points each. Edwards and Kenai Zimmerman chipped in five points apiece. Kamein Lopez (3), Cicotte (2) and Jimbo Bobb (2) landed on the point parade as well.

La Conner showed no difficulty shooting in the historic Darrington gymnasium – a true gym dandy – perhaps best known for its unique half-court backboards. The gym was built in 1954 with volunteer labor and donated materials, the floor was made from Alaskan cedar.

The Braves scored 22 points in each of the first three quarters before coasting in the final period.

La Conner (11-5 overall; 5-0 in league) returned to Landy James Gym last night for a home date with NW2B/1B foe Orcas Island.

The Braves are idle until they play at Mount Vernon Christian Jan. 30.