MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck boys basketball team graduated eight seniors, but return junior captain and guard Josiah Gould, and sophomore guard RaeQuan Battle, both of whom “have been busy working at their game playing AAU all spring and summer,” coach Bary Gould said.

Battle scored a game-high 24 points in M-P’s debut game and win against Sehome 69-55 Nov. 28 in a non-league game. Battle led again with 28 points in M-P’s second non-league win over Lake Stevens 75-68 Nov. 29.

Gould said he predicts the Wesco 3A North league to be largely “balanced” except for perennial-power Stanwood, which only graduated one senior. With that, Gould hopes the Tomahawks can play more than 20 games.

“The goals we have are to improve all year long,” he said.

MARYSVILLE — Taylor Stevens will be taking reigns as the new girls basketball coach for Marysville-Pilchuck. Stevens said sophomore Ivy Enberg, and juniors Dominique Jenkins and Olivia Lee will be key contributors.

With the new coaching staff, he hopes the C-team, junior varsity and varsity will be collectively competitive.

He admits he’s still feeling things out in the Wesco 3A North League as a new coach. “I know there is a ton of competition in our league, and it will be fun to see where we stand compared to the other teams,” Stevens said.