Marshfield’s girls basketball team made the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades last winter.

The Pirates embark on their trek toward a second straight playoff berth when they host Thurston in the Midwestern League opener Friday.

Coach Debbie Dunbar can’t wait to see how her players fare when the counting season begins.

“I think we’re ready,” she said.

Marshfield finished the preseason with a 7-3 record, the three losses all coming against quality opponents — on the road against traditional Class 5A power Wilsonville, on a neutral court against Class 6A North Medford and at home by two points to Class 6A Grants Pass during the Les Schwab South Coast Holiday Basketball Tournament.

Of those games, only the North Medford loss was not close, and the Pirates followed it with several quality wins.

“We did not play well that game,” Dunbar said. “On the other hand, between Summit and Crook County and Marist, those were good games against good teams.”

Dunbar was pleased with how her team played in a challenging preseason schedule.

“I thought we had a good preseason,” she said. “I’m pleased with the shape our girls are in. They’re looking more and more to push the ball up the court.”

The Pirates are an athletic group, and a veteran team as well, even though four players from last year’s squad did not return for various reasons.

Marshfield’s only senior, Ali Worthen, is one of the state’s top all-around athletes.

“I can’t say enough about Ali,” Dunbar said.

The coach toyed with playing Worthen on the wing, but decided to move her back inside, where she has been a force rebounding in recent games.

“Last year, she averaged 9.7 points a game in conference,” Dunbar said. “I’d like 15 points a game from her.”

The team’s top scorers this season often have been their lightning-quick guards, Moriah Roberge and Brianna George. Both have continued last season’s trend of deadly accuracy from 3-point range and also scored point off fast breaks, especially from steals they initiated with their quickness.

“Moriah averaged 10 points per game in league last year and Brianna 8.4,” Dunbar said. “They’re going to have to step that up, and the preseason has shown they can do that.”

Marshfield’s other two starters are vital role players. Mel Stout plays in the post and is a rebounding machine, while Bre Jansen, a wing, is steady and doesn’t make mistakes.

“Mel is a rock out there,” Dunbar said. “You can expect her to give 150 percent every second that she’s on the floor. Even though she’s not scoring a lot for us, she’s doing everything great on the boards and defensively.

“She’s one of those kids that you have to have in there. It really makes a difference in your ability to be successful in conference.”

Dunbar had similar praise for Jansen.

“What Bre does well is she takes care of the ball and she’s a good passer,” the coach said. “She plays pretty good defense, too.”

Defense was a strength for the Pirates throughout the preseason and the offense picked up in the final games.

Marshfield’s reserves — Stacey Smith, Natalie Caffey, Jessica Hockema, Kelsey Laird and Carissa Bunnell — all fill roles to help the team succeed.

“The girls off the bench ... are getting some scoring for us and contributing,” Dunbar said.

Dunbar sees defending state champion Willamette as a clear favorite in the league race. The Wolverines finished 13-2 last year, with one of the losses coming at Marshfield. Churchill was 12-3, also losing at Marshfield, while the Pirates were 11-4 and lost their other two games to both Willamette and the Lancers.

Dunbar expects Marshfield, Churchill and Thurston to battle for the league’s other two playoff spots this season.

In a favorable schedule twist, the Pirates get all three of those teams at home in the first round of league play.

“That first round is really important and it sets the stage for the next two rounds,” Dunbar said.

Marshfield is at North Eugene next Tuesday and hosts Willamette in the first of several doubleheaders with the Pirate boys next Friday.

As for the opening foe, Dunbar has respect for the Colts.

“They lost five kids from last year, but they have filled those shoes quite well,” she said.

Dunbar expects to face a team that is short and quick and applies a lot of pressure on defense — something that could play well into Marshfield’s hands.

“As a team, I’m really happy with as well as they’re playing right now and I’m looking forward to league,” she said.