The Mount Si Wildcat boys’ basketball team came ready to play last Monday at home against the Bellevue Wolverines. But as the game wore on, the Wolverines showed why they are considered to be among the favorites to win it all this season as a big performance from their new star helped them post a victory.

Sophomore Aaron Bright, who last season played for the Issaquah Eagles and is considered to be among the best young players in the league, scored 23 points to lead Bellevue to a 70-60 win over the Wildcats.

Mount Si was led by a heroic effort from Tanner Riley, who did it all on offense and defense and scored a game-high 29 points. “[I] shot the ball and it went in,” he said.

Despite the victory, Bellevue coach Chris O’Connor was not pleased. “I thought we played like a bunch of individuals. When I watch ourselves play out there, I don’t really see a team right now. We’ve got a long ways to go. We’re just not getting any better, which concerns me and I give the credit to Mount Si. They played together, they played hard. Jeff’s [D’Ambrosio] doing a great job with the program,” O’Connor said.

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