As the Charger fans began to fill the gym Friday night at Marysville Getchell High School for a game with the Oak Harbor Wildcats, so did the excitement and intensity. With both teams looking for their first win, this was sure to be a hard-fought grudge match.

With a discouraging 0-7 record coming into the contest, the Chargers still showed all the determination and pride of an undefeated team. Right from tip off, the Chargers put solid pressure on the Wildcat offense, and jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. With the help of Kyleigh Dschaak, the Chargers dominated the boards on both sides of the court and the intense physical defensive play, led by Brianna Lloyd-Bennett, kept the Oak Harbor scoring in check. But the Wildcats captured a couple of loose balls on the break and pulled out ahead. Undiscouraged, the Chargers kept tempo, and with help from guards Rachael Lefstad and Marina Wika, the offense started to gain momentum and pulled within six at the half.

The Chargers came out in the third quarter with an aggressive full court press defense that seemed to stun the Wildcats. However, with a seeming unwillingness of the ball to fall in the hoop and a couple of controversial calls late in the third quarter that led to an Oak Harbor scoring run, it was apparent that the Chargers were not going to get the win.

"I think we have made some huge progress as a team and I wish the season was just beginning now because this is where we needed to be in November. That being said, these girls never give up and are always willing to try new things and never stop wanting to get better," said head coach Shannon Grandbois. "I know a lot of what people see is the record, but if they could see the determination these girls have to get better and the heart they have, it is a total different story."

This heart and determination could not have been more apparent than in the final minutes of the game. As the clocked ticked down towards another frustrating loss, the Chargers continued their physical dominance on the court and showed no signs of quitting. The final score was 30-44, Oak Harbor.

"We always talk about our basketball 'family' and that is the most important piece these girls have gained...the feeling of being a part of a team," added Grandbois. "Knowing that each day they are going to be on the court with girls that have their back and will pick them up when things are rough. I wouldn't want to coach any other girls."

The Chargers will travel to Glacier Peak in Snohomish this Friday to take on the first place Grizzlies, with tip off at 7:15.