The team’s season goal was simple: win more than three games, which was last year’s win total.

After defeating Coupeville 33-31 on the road and getting its first conference win of the season, the South Whidbey girls basketball team is on its way.

“This is probably our most competitive win,” said South Whidbey head coach Andy Davis.

South Whidbey trailed at every break, except the final one — the buzzer that matters. No team led by more than six points.

“It was very intense,” said junior co-captain Makenzie Peterson. “My heart, and I think everybody else’s, was racing 90 miles per hour.”

Lacy Williams led South Whidbey with 10 points. Ellie Greene and Hayley Newman both scored five and Annalies Schuster had four points.

The Falcons returned from a rough 2010 and began the new year with their first win and could say, “We’re undefeated this year.”

Peterson, who scored nine points, attributed the win to effort, hustle and better understanding of the offensive schemes.

“You needed to play as hard as you could, as long as you could. And when you couldn’t play any longer, then they take you out,” she said. “We’re able to run our offensive plays better.”

Davis attested to the effort his team has put forth, and now it’s seeing the results.

“Our big thing the last couple days of practice is, ‘Don’t let your teammates down,” Davis said. “What we mean by that is be there if they need help on defense, make that extra pass to get your teammate the ball. Just don’t let your teammate down by letting down your effort. It’s been fun, it’s been a lot of fun.”