MARYSVILLE — The Hawks got holiday surprises, just not the ones they were hoping for during the Heritage Holiday Classic Dec. 28 and 29.

The boys basketball team went without a win in its inaugural invite, losing to Neah Bay 68-52 Dec. 28 and Chief Leschi 87-43 Dec. 29.

“Our kids went out there and never gave up, and that is what I’m trying to teach in this program,” said first year coach Matt Tait.

Keith Davis scored 25, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the efficiency of Neah Bay.

Senior guard Shawn Comenote scored a total of 20 points between the two games, but more importantly, mentored the younger players against Chief Leschi.

“Shawn came out and led by example,” Tait said after the Chief Leschi game. “I was proud of all of them tonight, but Shawn worked hard and kept a positive attitude the whole game.”

Heritage was without two starters after the first game due to disciplinary problems, leaving an inexperienced group against one of the better Class 1B teams in the state in Chief Leschi.

Senior guard Alex St. Germain torched the Hawks with six three-pointers and 26 points, but it would be hard to tell that Heritage was losing 51-26 at halftime.

The Hawks played with the same energy and togetherness that they started, despite trailing by an insurmountable deficit. Senior David Reedy and Comenote tied for the team lead in scoring with eight.

“David worked his butt off tonight, pushing some of their bigs out of the key,” Tait said. “I thought this was the best we’ve played and the best attitude we’ve had all year.”

A couple of youngsters — Moses Williams and Izzy Enick — gave Heritage hoops fans hope for the future. Enick scored seven points and Williams six against the tall posts of Leschi.

“The young guys are hungry and those are the kind of players I want,” Tait said. “I’m trying to build a program here that doesn’t just play basketball, but teaches life lessons.”