COQUILLE — For four years, Jennifer Sproul has been building up her Coquille girls basketball program, preaching that hard work in practice leads to success in games.

Now that those freshmen from her first year are seniors, the lessons are paying big dividends.

The Red Devils overwhelmed visiting Reedsport 77-26 in the Sunset Conference opener Tuesday, dominating from the opening tip and making a statement that they can challenge Myrtle Point for the league title.

“I think we can take league this year,” said Emily Usselman, one of six seniors in the regular rotation for the Red Devils.

Usselman provided Coquille an early spark in the game against Reedsport with her defense, passing and ability to get to the basket.

Her two free throws on the opening possession gave the Red Devils the lead for good and she scored eight of Coquille’s first 10 points, including fast-break layins with both her left and right hands. She finished with 10 points, three steals and three assists and, like the other starters, barely saw the floor in the second half.

The game was decided much earlier. Coquille scored 11 points before Reedsport got up a shot and played outstanding defense and team offense.

Laurie Breuer had two 3-pointers among her 14 points and added six rebounds. Kalei Libby scored 13 points and had five offensive rebounds and three steals. Katy Pflaum, who has given the team a boost after returning from spending a year in a foreign exchange program, added eight points. The starters combined to shoot 11-for-12 from the foul line.

The Red Devils led 22-5 after the first quarter and 41-9 at halftime. They stretched the lead even after the starters came off the floor, with the team’s future — freshmen Allison Cook, Courtney Davis, Christie Andy and Chelsy Forbes, and junior Cheyenne Sherbondy contributing good minutes.

Cook finished with seven points and four rebounds and Davis added six points, seven rebounds and two steals. Andy had five points, three assists and three steals.

Sophomore Mary Jo Pflaum, who played some with the first group and some with the younger players before leaving the game early, had a team-high four assists.

Coquille finished with 16 assists as a team and shot 31-for-56 from the floor — compared to just 11-for-45 for the Braves. The Red Devils also had a 40-25 rebounding edge and forced 22 turnovers, nabbing 17 steals.

Reedsport coach Lynn Fulps came away impressed.

“You know what, they’re going to challenge for the league title,” Fulps said. “They’ve got good depth. They’re very physical and they’ve got good speed. Jennifer’s done a wonderful job.”

Sproul was thrilled with her team’s effort.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start league,” she said. “That first quarter, we were ready to go.”

The roots for the big win Tuesday started long ago.

“Our whole personality — our whole attitude is different,” Sproul said. “They are having fun. We’re not doing any less in practice.

“People have bought into the system. They know you have to work hard to win. They do it day in and day out. They’re great examples for our freshmen.”

Coquille had beaten Reedsport Saturday in the final of the Pacific tournament, but not nearly in such a convincing manner.

“Last night, we had a really good practice,” Libby said. “We played way better (tonight).”

The Red Devils know they have a long way to go to contend for the league title, but Tuesday was a sign of what they can do.

“I’m excited for league,” Libby said.

As for Reedsport, Fulps said his team also has a long way to go in preparation if the Braves hope to contend for one of the four league tournament spots.

“We’ve got to go back to dribbling, shooting and passing,” he said. “They’ll come back from this.”

Kelly McLain, Chelsea Hitchcock and Tailor Nunn led the Braves on Tuesday with five points each. McLain also grabbed seven rebounds.

The Braves get back into the act Friday in a league play at home against Gold Beach. Coquille hosts Douglas in a nonleague game Thursday.