TACOMA — Marysville-Pilchuck’s statement didn’t feel as strong as it was March 4.

The Tomahawks lost their first two games of the Class 4A state tournament in the Tacoma Dome, but for a school that hadn’t earned a berth in 13 years, that wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.

“You’re at state and you want to come away with one win,” said M-P coach Julie Martin. “We hadn’t had one yet at Marysville, but we couldn’t get there.”

Time is on the Lady Tomahawks’ side, however, as there is only one senior on this squad, but that inexperience might have reared its head at state, as the Tommies shot 50 percent or worse from the free throw line in both losses.

“That’s been a problem for us all year,” said Martin. “We’ve tried different ways of dealing with it from saying ‘we have to make them tonight’ to not talking about it at all.”

Marysville’s final game — a 71-52 loss to Moses Lake — saw M-P struggle throughout most of the game to score. Traditionally, the Tomahawks have received contributions from as many as six players to win a game, but junior Morgan Martinis was M-P’s source of points, scoring 21, including 14 in the second quarter alone.

“I’m glad to see Morgan shot the ball so well,” Martin said of the junior guard making five 3-pointers. “She was phenomenal tonight — on the defensive end as well, I thought.”

Dacia Heckendorf added 13 and Andi Adams had 12.

Defense was also a struggle for the Tommies, as they allowed 71 points against Moses Lake and 69 to Garfield in an opening-round loss.

“That usually isn’t like us,” Martin said. “We just didn’t do a lot of the little things that we normally do.”

Of course, it’s hard to play defense against one of he better inside-outside combinations in the state, which happened to be on Moses Lake in the form of Kayla Bernsen and Jordan Loera. Bernsen a 6-3 forward was helped distract the height disadvantaged Tomahawks while Leora scored quietly — at first.

“I thought we did a good job on (Bernsen). Hannah (Watson) played did a great job on her, but when she had to have a break, we had trouble,” Martin said. “(Loera) was such a presense on the court. We could only hope to contain her.”

Leora started relatively slow, scoring just seven points in the first half, but ended up with 20 and five assists.

Marysville stuck with Moses Lake up until halfway through the third quarter, when the Chiefs went on an 8-2 run to increase their lead to 49-36 with just eight minutes to play.

Earlier in the tournament, Marysville lost to Garfield 69-59 on March 3.

With one of the more successful girls basketball seasons finished in the Marysville program history, Martin reflected on its impact.

“This is such an unbelievable group of girls,” she said. “They are so easy to coach. I am truly blessed to have them for another year. They made my job so much fun — and we got to do some special things along the way.”

M-P played Lake Stevens for the district championship a week ago, and came within one game of winning the Wesco North title.

The only senior is Alisha Oden, who had to sit out most of the postseason due to a stress fracture.

“She is such a leader. And a great player to just have around, even on the bench,” Martin said.