Mount Si’s boys basketball team was missing its top player last Tuesday, Jan. 12. It didn’t matter, as the Wildcats easily dismantled the Interlake Saints.

Without Tanner Riley, Mount Si opened on a 10-0 run to start the game and the Wildcats cruised to a 68-31 blowout of the Saints in a tuneup for last Friday’s Jan. 15 road contest at Bellevue. Dallas Smith scored 14 points to lead Mount Si. Tanner Riley sat out last Tuesday’s game to rest his ankle, which has been a problem for him this season, in advance of the big battle against the Wolverines.

Lucas Zupan scored 12 and Zander Nelson scored 11 to aid the Wildcat cause, which saw all players in uniform score points in the contest. Ricky Aaron scored eight points to lead the Saints.

The large margin of victory, along with Tanner Riley’s absence, allowed Mount Si to give all their players quality playing time, further helping to develop the depth that will be necessary for the postseason run that the Wildcats hope to go on next month. Mount Si has had several of those opportunities already this season, and are expected to get at least a couple more in league play before the Kingco Tournament starts.

Mount Si suffered another key loss midway through the game, as post Anthony McLaughlin left and did not return; he suffered a foot injury.

The Wildcats traveled to Bellevue for that big game last Friday, and despite their best efforts, they fell to the Wolverines 64-52. Bellevue with the win remained unbeaten on the season, while the Wildcats fell to 9-4 on the year with the loss. No stats were available for this game by press time to the Valley Record.

Mount Si hosts Liberty Friday night. Tip is scheduled for around 8:15 p.m. as the Wildcats look for a season sweep against the Patriots; back in December Mount Si beat Liberty at LHS.