Friday was a tough night for Coupeville fans: Those who stayed home watched their girls basketball team demolished 57-36 by a raging Lady Falcon offense while those who made the long trip down Highway 525 were treated to a free throw free-for-all as the South Whidbey boys won 45-42.

The Wolves were tough from the start. They scored first, but South Whidbey contained their offense downcourt and no one on either side made much headway in the first half.

The Falcons were ahead 12-10 at the break, then behind 18-20 at the half on a last-second Wolf tipper.

“It was a poor shooting game but we overcame that by rebounding well and limiting their easy looks,” Falcon Coach Andy Davis said. “We shot 27 percent from the field (three for 21 from the arc.) Though we were getting good looks against their zone all night, we just had a tough time knocking down shots.”

Clearly, shooting from the free-throw line in the second half saved the game for the Falcons.

“We ended up 18 for 23 on the night and six-of-eight at crunch time in the fourth quarter,” Davis added.

Falcon forward Parker Barnett could feel a difference in the third period.

“When we got up by eight points, they started fouling us and we made our free throws. Everything started to click together for us from that point,” Barnett said.

Chad Anderson felt the team simply got off to another patented Falcon late start.

“But no one got discouraged and we were able to stay even,” Anderson said. “Our free-throw shooting wasn’t good to start so they began to foul us, but that’s one thing we work hard on in practice. No one let the pressure get to him and I think that made a big difference.”

Anderson, who got a bloody nose in the pre-game intros a week ago, was presented with a catcher’s mask by Davis before the game. He took the gag gift in stride.

“Whatever makes Coach Davis happy,” Anderson said.

Anderson led with 13 points and the only trey, followed by Barnett with 11, Blake Blakey with eight, Kyle Asay with six and Eric Stallman with five.

The Falcons moved to 3-5 in the league with the win, 5-8 overall.

On Feb. 2 and 6 the boys head to Cedarcrest and Sultan. On Feb. 8 they play a rematch with the Red Wolves in Erikson Gym.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.