No one thought it possible just a few weeks ago.

With their decisive 60-37 victory over Coupeville on Saturday, the South Whidbey girls basketball team (4-3 in the league,

6-6 overall) has a realistic chance for the number-two slot in the Cascade Conference.

“If we can win Tuesday against Cedarcrest, we’ll have a clear shot,” said Falcon coach Henry Pope.

“It is an exciting time for me and the players. It will mean we can go straight to playoffs without a crossover game,” he said.

In the make-up game with Coupeville, the Falcons maintained the same game plan that worked earlier in the week — defend the Wolves’ top player Megan Smith and keep lanes clear for Lindsey Newman to score.

Falcon Reilly O’Sullivan did her job, keeping Smith down to eight points (her usual per game average is 17).

With her arms waving, bouncing up and down all night, O’Sullivan clearly was driving Smith to distraction. Newman teamed with Chantal LaChaussee on offense; they combined for

50 points on the night.

A case in point came early as Newman knocked the ball out of Coupeville’s Cassie Lawson’s hands and rolled it a few feet so La Chaussee could grab it. A quick bounce pass to Newman for the score sealed the move.

By the end of the first quarter, South Whidbey led 23-5.

In the second period, the South Whidbey girls played smooth, purposeful basketball while taking no prisoners along the way. Smith’s three-point tries consistently failed to find twine as O’Sullivan continued her defensive antics. Coupeville didn’t reach double digits until three minutes were left in the half.

The score was 34-12 when the second half began and Pope removed Newman for a well-deserved rest. But LaChaussee, Alannah Alber, Ashlinn Prosch and Taylor Pope kept up the heat.

When Newman returned, Coupeville tried a zone-plus-Newman defensive tactic and picked up four points by crashing the boards with their taller girls on the inside before the Falcons adjusted.

But Newman’s big rack attack continued, while Smith’s shots fell outside; for Smith it was just one of those games.

The big crowd of Coupeville hopeful were disappointed as the fourth quarter began, their team down 45-25. A Newman three-pointer brought the tally to 50 as Pope admonished his players to work the clock rather than take quick shots.

With a minute left and the score 60-36, the Falcon girls played as though a tie threatened until the final buzzer.

“They made it hard for us to establish any kind of rhythm,” Coupeville coach Blake Severns said.

“We had some big-time foul troubles and couldn’t connect to the basket,” he added. “But we rolled out after the half and played for pride and I’m proud the girls stayed to the finish.”

Newman — still leading the state in scoring with 363 points — had praise for her teammates.

“Chantal was amazing tonight and Reilly shut down Megan once again,” she said. “She can be counted on to stop the other team’s main scorer.”

LaChaussee said she was trying to keep the flow going.

“Cutting to the basket down low, sort of keeping below their radar,” the 5-foot-4 guard said. “And knowing where the ball is at all times. This was the best passing game for us this year.”

Prosch added that unity is making a big difference.

“We were trying to act as a team, to support each other,” she said. “There’s less yelling and more cooperation and encouragement.”

Prosch noted that having a big crowd is a plus. The girls team shared the court on Saturday with a boys game, held later that day.

“Sometimes when we play a double with the boys, people leave and that’s a disappointment,” she said. “We’re a pretty exciting team this year.”

Pope said the girls are showing serious perseverance and great attitude.

“They’ll need both as the season continues,” he said.

Newman led with 39 points, 19 rebounds and seven steals, LaChaussee had 11 points and eight rebounds while Jessica Manca and Prosch each picked up four points.

At 5:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 the girls welcome the Sultan Turks to Erikson Gym.