MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Getchell girls basketball team were defeated by the Stanwood Spartans 66-25 on Jan. 29.

The growing pains of a school entering its third year of athletics were apparent as the more experienced Spartans dominated the Chargers.

“It’s Stanwood,” MG head coach Shannon Grandbois said. “They have players that have had traditions forever.”

Coach Grandbois commended the composure of her developing team as they faced off against the No. 2 team in Wesco 3A North.

“I have a raw freshman playing against girls that are juniors and seniors,” coach Grandbois said. “I thought they all did an admirable job.”

Freshman pointguard Gabby Grandbois showed tremendous effort against the taller and more experienced Spartans.

“I think she did what I asked her to do,” coach Grandbois said. “And that was to take it in regardless of the fouls.”

Gabby Grandbois was MG’s highest scorer, hitting for 11 points. On defense, Gabby Grandbois was able to rebound despite the taller competition.

Sophomore pointguard Jada Romulus was second in scoring. Her aggressive style of play added five points to MG’s scoring. “Jada takes it in too,” coach Grandbois said.

Romulus also contributed on defense by frequently causing loose balls throughout the game.

Along with inexperience, another factor for the Chargers was confidence. “It is hard when you have a couple of players who have confidence and the other players struggle,” coach Grandbois said.

As a result, Gabby Grandbois and Romulus were MG’s main scorers.

Coach Grandbois said the confidence and experience of her team will improve as the season progresses. “They need experience,” coach Grandbois said. “They’re young. They make young mistakes.”

MG competing against a higher ranked team could prove to be beneficial throughout the remainder of the season.

Coach Grandbois said this will train her athletes to not fixate on a school’s title or record. “They just have to come out regardless of whatever the name of the team is,” coach Grandbois said. “They need to go out and remember that they are high school athletes, just as they are, and they can be just as competitive.”

The Spartans started fast in the first quarter, scoring six unanswered points before MG could get on the board.

MG did show some defensive capabilities, securing defensive rebounds, but were unable to convert offensively.

The persistence of Romulus paid off as she was able to score a field goal and a free throw for MG.

“They played hard to the very end,” coach Grandbois said. “Regardless of what the score is, they play 100 percent all the way to the last buzzer.”

The Spartans’ strong shooting on offense allowed them to outscore MG 15-5 in the first quarter.

The Chargers continued to trail Stanwood in the second quarter. The experience showed in Stanwood’s offense as they were one step ahead of MG’s defense as they made passes to wide open shooters. Gabby Grandbois was MG’s lone scorer in the second quarter. Stanwood led MG 28-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Stanwood continued to display its dominance on both offense and defense.

MG improved in scoring by totaling 15 points, resulting in its highest scoring quarter.

Though the Chargers felt the offensive pressure from Stanwood, MG’s defense was able to get rebounds and cause a loose ball.

But it was Stanwood’s consistent three-point shooting, combined with its regular scoring, that took its toll on the Chargers’ game.

Stanwood led MG 52-20 at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Stanwood continued its tempo and scored 14 points to the Chargers’ five.

As of Jan. 30, MG’s conference record is 1-9 and 4-13 overall.