Last year was a learning experience for the Oak Harbor boys basketball team; now it’s time for the Wildcats to put that knowledge to work.

“They have a year under their belts with a new offense and defense,” said coach John Weston, who took over the program last winter, “so we expect those to run more efficiently.

“Although it is our second year in a new system, it is still fairly new and the guys are still learning.”

Oak Harbor returns seven letter winners from last year’s 3-17 team, including the division’s scoring leader, senior Dyllan Harris, a 6-2 guard.

Harris, a three-year letterman, averaged 20.7 points per game last winter and earned second-team, all-league honors.

Also back are Sean Erskine, a 6-2 senior post; Preston Rankin, a 6-3 senior post; Diangelo McKinney, a 6-0 senior guard; Savion Hollins-Passmore, a 6-0 senior guard; Bryce Diras, a 5-8 senior guard; and Josh Cote, a 5-8 junior guard.

Key newcomers are Darnell Dizon, a 5-9 senior wing; Adam Nelson, a 5-9 junior guard; Princeton Lollar, a 6-3 junior post; Taeson Hardin, a 5-10 sophomore wing; and Malcolm Jackson, a 6-5 sophomore post.

“We have a lot of experienced seniors and some hungry young guys,” Weston said, adding his team is “very athletic” and will get out and run.

A major concern, according to Weston, is the Wildcats’ lack of height.

“I am really excited about going into my second year here at Oak Harbor,” he added. “I think this is a unique group of kids with lots of different personalities. They all really want to do well. If we commit to putting in the work, I think we have a chance to surprise some people.”

Oak Harbor plays at Edmonds-Woodway at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and then hosts Shorecrest at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.