Seven new faces and a solid group of returning players compose the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team for the 2008/09 season.

Under the direction of third-year head coach Mike Washington, the Wildcats have set a goal to improve their 4-16 overall record from last year and they have the talent to get the job done.

“We have a young group,” Washington said. “They are enthusiastic and energized, and they all work hard.”

Players returning from last season are seniors Beaux Haley, James Edens and Brooks Waller, along with junior Rashaad Smith and sophomore Jay Stout.

After that, everyone is a new player on the varsity roster.

These new faces include seniors Josh Fikse and John Manni, who both played on the junior varsity last year, and senior Zach Cole who transferred to Oak Harbor from Anacortes.

“Zach is a good player who will see a significant amount of minutes this year,” Washington said.

Other new players are sophomores Steven Bratt and Denzel Hardin, both members of last year’s Wildcat freshman team, and freshman Michael Washington, Jr.

“We are stressing the fundamentals of the game in practice,” coach Washington said. “We plan on playing a transition game this year, so defense is going to be very important.”

Washington said he expected Stanwood and Lake Stevens, along with Snohomish, Arlington and Cascade to be some of the top teams in the WesCo North this season.

“We are real excited about the players we have,” he said. “They are good kids with character and most importantly, they all have good grades. Me, I’ve been counting down the days since last March and getting ready to go.”

Oak Harbor plays in the Woodinville Jamboree Nov. 29 and then travels to Glacier Peak for a non-league game Friday, Dec. 5.

The Wildcats’ first home game is a non-league matchup Tuesday, Dec. 9, against Burlington-Edison.

Varsity tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.