In what may very well prove to be a preview of the title card of the championship match later this year, the Bainbridge High School varsity boys water polo team hosted perennial powerhouse Curtis Tuesday.

The island squad had been swimming along and scoring just fine this season (4-0 prior to Wednesday) though BHS Head Coach Kristin Gellert admitted before the start of the match that Curtis could easily prove to be the Spartans’ toughest competitor so far — and possibly all year.

Curtis traditionally hosts the state championship and is almost always a contender for the title.

Wednesday, the Spartans got a look, up close and very personal, at the league’s top dogs, ultimately falling 15-4. The visitors scored first and stayed solidly ahead throughout the match, despite some savvy Spartan defense that kept things from getting further out of hand.

BHS goals were scored by Thomas Defawe and Gabe Nathan.

The loss knocked the Spartan overall season record to 4-1. They next play at home at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 against Mercer Island.