New coach Trisha Clayville will build her first team around five returning letter winners.

Two of the returnees, 5-5 Clarissa Abadesco and 4-10 Janelle Yoshimoto, started last winter for the Wildcats.

Also back are 5-11 senior Adrianna Royal, 5-5 junior Tatianna Cumming and 5-5 sophomore Emilie Renninger.

Clayville said key newcomers include junior Dominque Jackson, sophomore Ciera Wiser and freshman Annie Leete.

Clayville said, “Obviously size is not our biggest strength. We will also be young and relatively inexperienced at the varsity level. Our biggest strength is our kids’ hard work and willingness to learn; we also have some key senior leaders in place to help bring the younger ones up to speed.”

Clayville added, “I love the continual positive attitude my girls display and the way they treat each other and coaches, on and off the court.”

The season will be a success, Clayville said, if her team gets “better every day so at the end of the season we are playing like a mature varsity team.” She added, “If we continue to improve throughout the season, we will be playing our best basketball in February, hopefully in time to make the playoffs.”

The Wildcats open their season Tuesday, Nov. 30, at home with Stanwood at 7:30 p.m. Oak Harbor’s next home game is with Lynden Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. after trips to Arlington Dec. 2 and Squalicum Dec. 6.

League play, Oak Harbor’s first in the Wesco 3A division, begins at home Friday, Dec. 10, with Lynnwood at 7.

Last year in the Wesco 4A North, the Wildcats finished fifth (8-8, 11-10) and lost a play-in game in a bid to qualify for district.

Oak Harbor High School Girls Basketball 2010-11

Date Opponent Site Time

Tues., Nov. 30 Stanwood Oak Harbor 7:30

Thurs., Dec. 2 Arlington Arlington 7:30

Mon., Dec. 6 Squalicum Squalicum 7:30

Weds., Dec. 8 Lynden Oak Harbor 7:30

Fri., Dec. 10 Lynnwood Oak Harbor 7:30

Wed., Dec. 15 Shorewood Shorewood 7:30

Fri., Dec. 17 Everett Oak Harbor 7:30

Wed., Dec. 22 Mountlake Ter. Mountlake Ter. 7:30

Wed., Dec. 29 Oak Harbor Tournament TBD

Thurs., Dec. 30 Oak Harbor Tournament TBD

Wed., Jan. 5 Meadowdale Oak Harbor 7:30

Fri., Jan. 7 Shorecrest Oak Harbor 7:30

Wed., Jan. 12 Glacier Peak Glacier Peak 7:30

Fri., Jan. 14 Lynnwood Lynnwood 7:30

Tues., Jan. 18 Shorewood Oak Harbor 7:30

Thurs., Jan. 20 Everett Everett 7:30

Wed., Jan. 26 Mountlake Ter. Oak Harbor 7:30

Fri., Jan. 28 Meadowdale Meadowdale 7:30

Mon., Jan. 31 Shorecrest Shorecrest 7:30

Wed., Feb. 2 Glacier Peak Oak Harbor 7:30

Feb. 9, 11, 15, 18, 22 District Tournament TBD

Feb. 25, 26 Regional Tournament TBD

March 3-5 State Tourn. Tacoma Dome TBD