The Mount Si High School girls’ basketball program has had a really successful summer, and that success could give them an edge going into the 2010-11 high school basketball season.

Wildcat players have had a good time. “It’s gone really well. I think we’ve all improved a lot and it’s a chance for us to work on our weaknesses and not have to worry about failing,” said sophomore-to-be Molly Sellers, who is expected to play a huge role this upcoming season for Mount Si.

The Wildcats’ summer success closed out with a ninth-place finish at the Midsummer Nights’ Madness tournament held recently at several sites around the Seattle area. That performance followed up a number of excellent showings at various summer tournaments.

Mount Si did very well in the Kentwood High School’s summer league, only losing twice – both times to host Kentwood. They also rebounded from a first-round loss at June’s Auburn Riverside tournament to win the consolation bracket; finished second in another June event at Curtis High School in University Place near Tacoma, then just before the 4th of July traveled to La Grande, Oregon, for a camp and tournament at Eastern Oregon University. They beat teams from both Washington and Oregon to win the tournament title at this camp, which drew players from all over the Northwest.

One of the main elements the team has been working on is something fans should expect to see when the high school season starts. “Basically, we’ve kind of changed a little bit of our style of play. We’re real feisty with defense, which you saw a little bit at the end of last season. Well, now, it’s brought on full force, I think,” said Mount Si coach Megan Botulinski.

And that was clearly evident at the first MSNM tournament game July 10 at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, a game attended by the Valley Record in order to conduct the interviews for this story. Mount Si used that solid defense to score a first round win over a team from Vancouver, B.C. Playing different opponents from other cities with their different styles of play will be a big help for the Wildcats. “It definitely prepares us for a lot of different play that we see, especially when we think about the districts with the Metro League. That’s a different style of play than what we have in our Kingco and so that’s really going to get us ready to step onto that court and be ready for anything,” Botulinski said.

The hard work throughout the summer, according to one player, set them up well for success in the MSNM. “I think so. We’ve progressed as a team a lot and we’re getting better and closer,” said Wildcat junior-to-be Shelby Peerboom, who saw some varsity action last season and is expected to see more this season.

Botulinski has this message for Wildcat fans. “Get ready for a fun time. It’s been fun working with these girls. We enjoy each other. We enjoy playing basketball,” the coach said.