The Mount Si Wildcat boys’ basketball team continues to improve and make a case for postseason glory.

Last Tuesday was expected to be a bit of a challenge for Mount Si, as they played the Interlake Saints. The Wildcats were coming off a huge emotional lift from their previous game against Mercer Island and all the wonderful events surrounding the return of senior Caleb Williams to the court. They were facing a team that played the Wildcats tough in Snoqualmie in December before falling late.

Balanced scoring and very consistent play combined to help the Wildcats as they continued to feed off the emotion from the Mercer Island game, and they posted a big win that helped their playoff chances.

Tanner Riley scored 24 points as Mount Si established momentum, then stayed on cue throughout in the 71-61 victory.

“By and large, it was kind of an odd, messed up rotation with a couple guys sick. But for the most part, we played real well, especially down the stretch,” said Mount Si coach Jeff D’Ambrosio.

It was close to start as both teams looked for early control. It soon became a battle between the top stars of the two teams, Riley from Mount Si and Aaron Sweat from Interlake. Both boys settled down, though, and allowed their teams to take control in the second quarter, and that’s where the Wildcats made their statement with their balance and consistency. A 14-4 run to close out the half behind solid efforts from several players including Lucas Zupan, Zander Nelson and Clenet Nwokeuku, who hasn’t seen an awful lot of playing time this season, propelled Mount Si.

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