Hungry and athletic are the words Coach Kyle Clearman uses to describe the Mount Si High School varsity boys basketball team, and for good reason.

The team, led by eight seniors, has been working hard almost since the end of last year’s season, toward the goal of a big year for the Wildcats.

“We had a really good off-season,” said Clearman, noting that most of the athletes were at open gyms and lifting weights twice a week, or more and competed in two off-season tournaments.

Their regular-season record last year, 3-17, doesn’t show it, but “we were in a lot of close games,” Clearman said.

They don’t have the size of many of their opponents, said Danny Thompson, one of the team seniors, but they are athletic, and inspired to be the best team in the league.

“We all believe we can do it,” Thompson said, “we’ve just got to do the simple things.”

The strong team chemistry of years playing together should contribute to some successes, too.

“We’ve really developed a kind of brotherhood,” said senior Ryan Fischer, and the on-court chatter reflects that. “We always kind of know what we’re talking about, but it doesn’t always make sense.”

Mount Si Varsity Boys Basketball Schedule

Fri, Dec. 11, at Inglemoor, 8 p.m.

Tue, Dec. 15, hosting Issaquah, 7:15 p.m.

Fri, Dec. 18, at Bothell, 7:30 p.m.

Tue, Jan. 5, at Woodinville, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 8, hosting Newport, 8 p.m.

Sat, Jan. 9, at Skyline, 8 p.m.

Tue, Jan. 12, at Redmond, 7:15 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 15, hosting Eastlake, 8 p.m.

Tue, Jan. 19, at Issaquah, 7:15 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 22, hosting Inglemoor, 8 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 29, hosting Bothell, 8 p.m.

Tue, Feb. 2, hosting Skyline, 7:15 p.m.

Fri, Feb. 5, at Newport, 8 p.m.