In Australia, hot dogs are “sausage sizzlers.” Sweatsuits are “trackies.” But basketball is still basketball, as the Mount Si girls basketball team learned last week while hosting the Mandurah Magic, a high school exposition team from Western Australia.

Australian players home-stayed with Mount Si players families, and while the two teams competed on the court, they also made friendships.

“It was a different experience,” says senior Katy Lindor, a point guard and one of Mount Si’s four senior returners.

Look for team building experiences like these to make a difference as the 2012 Mount Si girls basketball team comes together.

“Last year we were really close as a team,” said senior guard Katie Swain. “That was really reflected in our play.”

Mount Si girls ended last winter in a heartbreak in-or-out game at Bellevue. Senior guard Grace Currie wants to see the team, new players included, go beyond the league barrier.

“I think everyone will,” she said.  Teams that these Wildcats have their eyes on include Juanita and Bellevue.

Mount Si is connecting to that end. On any given day, “We’re here with each other,” says Currie.

Molly Sellers, another senior, has been out with a knee injury, but is excited to return soon. She brings a crucial shooting component.

Also, look for sophomore Elizabeth Prewitt to make a difference in games this year. She stepped up for useful shooting last season.

Lindor, who comes from a family with a long line of siblings on varsity, is expected to do a good job of getting players the ball and keeping things spread out on the floor.

“I have looked forward to playing high school ball since I was little,” says Lindor. “It’s an awesome experience and I enjoy it a lot.”

You can follow Mount Si girls basketball at http://www.mshsgirlsbasketball.com/

Mount Si girls basketball schedule

Friday, Dec. 7

• Mount Si hosts Bellevue, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 12

• Mount Si at Mercer Island, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14

• Mount Si hosts Lake Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 15

• Mount Si at Mercer Island, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

• Mount Si hosts Interlake, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 21

• Mount Si hosts Liberty, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 4

• Mount Si at Sammamish, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 9

• Mount Si at Juanita, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 11

• Mount Si at Lake Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 14

• Mount Si at Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 18

• Mount Si at Liberty, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 23

• Mount Si hosts Mercer Island, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 25

• Mount Si hosts Sammamish, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 29

• Mount Si at Interlake, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 31

• Mount Si hosts Juanita, 5:45 p.m.