The Mount Si girls basketball team had a tremendous summer and fall off-season schedule, and they look to carry that into this 2010-11 season, the second for coach Megan Botulinski.

A strong senior class anchors that, and that is led by Stevie Riley and Hailey Eddings. Botulinski expects them to be the floor leaders this winter.

“They obviously were selected to be the ones that are talking to the ref,” she said of the team captains. “They’re talking to me if there are problems that arise, trying to really lead the kids in stretches and drills. Definitely their presence on the court is one of leadership.”

Eddings knows this will be a big responsibility.

“We’re going to try to keep the team together and stay positive,” she said. I’m going to focus on keeping my head in the game and not letting emotions get in the way.” Eddings continued, “I’m going to keep my cool and I have to be a leader.”

Riley, whose three-point shooting was a key part of the Wildcat attack last season, looks to bring a lot to the floor this season.

“Probably my three (point) shooting and setting up the offense more, ‘cause I’m probably going to play more point (guard) this year,” she said.

Eddings and Riley also hold a strong concept of offense and what needs to change during the game or during practice.

“They’re communicators on defense,” Botulinski said. That skill rubs off on other athletes. “When they’re talking to other girls out on the court, everybody else starts talking.”

Their efforts will be vital to help a Wildcat team which, after its stellar offseason, looks to contend for a league title, but will have to fight off the likes of Mercer Island, Bellevue and Juanita to get there. In addition to Eddings and Riley, Kassidy Maddux, Jori Braun and Haley Chase also look to provide solid leadership as seniors.