MOUNT VERNON — One of the most difficult things a young team has to learn is to keep playing when faced with a double-digit deficit late in a game.

The Tulalip boys hoops team found out why more experienced teams attack in those situations, as they nearly overcame a 15-point deficit in the final minutes of a nonconference game Dec. 1.

“We told them at halftime that being down 15 doesn’t mean anything,” said Hawks coach Marlin Fryberg. “But I’m proud of the way they came together and fought back.”

In the end, the Hawks lost their season-opener to Mount Vernon Christian 64-58, but Tulalip came to within on possession of tying the score.

Down 55-40 at the start of the fourth quarter, Heritage put the pressure on the Hurricanes by picking them up fullcourt. The adjustment resulted in 10 turnovers in the next six minutes and brought the score to 60-58 with less than two minutes remaining.

“We put that pressure defense on them and that is really what made the difference,” said Fryberg.

Tulalip, made up of three seniors and seven juniors, showed moments of inexperience, where their up-tempo style would occasionally get out of control, but in the end, the 1B Hawks played with the larger 2B Hurricanes.

“You’ve got to hand it to Mount Vernon,” said Fryberg. “They are a good team and they’ll do well in their classification, but our guys hung with them.”

Fryberg was particularly impressed with Abe Ramos, who played the final two quarters with four fouls, as a number of Hawks got into foul trouble because of losing height at almost every position.

“I don’t know many players at any level that can show that kind of control and discipline,” Fryberg said of Ramos.

Offensively, the Hawks were led by Keith George’s 16 points, while DJ Kidd added nine and Moses Williams had eight.

“We really didn’t have a great shooter tonight, which was fine because they had to really work for it,” Fryberg said.