With a lack of height, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team will rely on quickness and defensive pressure this winter.

“Since our team truly lacks size, we know we will be at a disadvantage on the inside and may have mismatches around the hoop,” coach John Weston said. “We would also like to use this to our advantage by trying to apply more pressure on the perimeter and try to get up and down the court more quickly.”

In addition to a scrappy defense and up-tempo transition game, improving defensive rebounding and taking quality shots are two other goals and keys for a successful season, according to Weston.

Off the court, he would like his club to show servant leadership throughout the program, school and community.

The team’s strengths, Weston said, are its experience, speed and perimeter game.

The experience will come from seven returning letter winners, including last year’s leading scorer senior Dorian Hardin. Also back are seniors Gavin Allen, Haven Brown, Terrell Crumpton, Andrew Baloy and Austin Boesch.

Others expecting to contribute, according to Weston, are seniors Rylee Simmons, Ta’Shaun Howard, Evan Nadeau and Kyle Winfield, and sophomore Matt Kelley.

The team’s weakness, Weston said, is the afore mentioned missing height.

Oak Harbor’s tallest player is 6-2, “plus two more who are maybe 6-1,” Weston said. “Everyone else is under 6 feet.”

“This is the shortest group I have coached,” he added. “We lack an inside presence, which could also impact our ability to rebound and defend on the inside.”

The Wildcats are aiming to improve on last year’s 3-17 record, 1-11 in Western Conference action.

They hope the first step will come in the season opener against island neighbor Coupeville (7-13 last year) on the Wolves’ court at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28.

The first home game is 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, with Sedro-Woolley (14-10).