MARYSVILLE Senior forward Blake Lovells 7-for-8 free throw shooting in the first quarter helped put M-P up for good in a 53-47 non-conference win over Mountlake Terrace Nov. 29.
After just three points in the same period, center Taylor Stevens got a hot hand, cementing the teams victory with a 26-point performance. Senior guard Blake Schiller was the only other Tomahawk in double digits with a 12-point game.
Even though they were outscored in the second half, the Tommies played solid defense, keeping the Hawks from getting a lot of good looks at the hoop. As the clock wound down in the first quarter, Schiller started to get his hands in the Hawks passing lanes, coming up with two steals, which he took to the basket for a field goal and a free throw.
M-P forced another eight turnovers throughout the night.
Tomahawk coach Bary Gould said the game was a good start to their season. The team came off a 64-50 loss to Mount Vernon, and the guys showed big improvement in several areas.
We needed to relax a little and handle pressure better, Gould said. When Mountlake Terrace pressured us near the end, we handled that better.
The Tomahawks inadvertently allowed the Hawks rally. After a clean first half in which M-P built its scoring advantage at the free-throw line, the Tommies ran into foul trouble, with several players at four fouls.
But this early in the season, Gould said he considers it a sign that his team is playing good.
Thats a positive in my book. We have guys that arent afraid to make contact and mix it up a little, he said.
With another 27 points in the game against Mount Vernon, captain and returning starter Stevens has demonstrated his ability to put points on the board. As far as the rest of the scoring goes, Gould said hes counting on each player to find a mismatch against each opponent.
Different guys are going to step up different nights, he explained. We share the ball well. Different guys will have to step up for us to be successful.

At M-P H.S.

Marysville-Pilchuck
15 18 7 13 53
Mountlake Terrace
11 8 12 16 47

M-P Stevens 26, Scheller 12, Lovell 7, Lanphere 4, Thomason 4. MT Strieby 19, Kunduklija 17, Robinson 4, Beeninja 3, Correa 2, Clincan 2. 3 pointers Stevens 2, Strieby 2, Beeninja 1. Records
M-P 1-1 overall. MT 0-1.