Last season, the Inglemoor High boys basketball team was a young squad that struggled to find traction after a hot start. This year, the Vikings are hoping for more.

And just as they were last winter, the Vikings aren’t expected to be a band of stars. Rather, Inglemoor is hoping for success through teamwork — and that’s exactly the way veteran coach Greg Lowell would have it.

“We have good players, but our strength is team play, really,” said Lowell, who enters his 29th year as Inglemoor skipper. “We have to spread the wealth.”

The Vikings certainly have athleticism, with returning all-conference honorable mentions Ryan Hamilton and Jalen Woodley back in the fold. Hamilton led the Vikings in scoring last season with 11.8 points per game, followed by 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds from Woodley, a standout athlete during football and track seasons.

Guard Michael Hagen and forward Blaine McGoorty, both at 6-foot-5, provide some height. Jaxon Peay, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, should provide scoring behind Hamilton and Woodley.

Senior forward Chinedu Ugokwoli is among the longer players on the floor, and can score in a variety of ways.

Other seniors on the roster include guard Jack Weyer and forward Stephen Vaught. Hamilton and Hagen are juniors, along with forward Aksel Fisher. McGoorty and Peyton Reed are sophomores and Zach Shimek is a freshman.

Lowell, who has run a motion offense and man-to-man defense for years, said he expects the bench to score more this season — and Inglemoor will likely need the help.

KingCo is a tough conference, traditionally. The top six teams make the conference tournament, with the top two teams moving on to the play-in round.

Inglemoor last made the state tournament in 2009, finishing seventh overall, but the Vikings aren’t really focused that far down the road.

“We’re just trying to keep improving as the year goes,” Lowell said. “We play each game as best we can. I’m more into the process of things.”

The Vikings lost to Edmonds-Woodway, 57-54, in a nonconference game on Nov. 29. The conference schedule begins on Dec. 6 at home against Eastlake.

Jalen Woodley looks for a passing lane during preseason practice at Inglemoor High School. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Bothell-Kenmore Reporter Above: Ryan Hamilton (18) scoups a shot past Jaxon Peay during preseason practice. Hamilton is expected to be among the scoring leaders for Inglemoor this winter. Top right: Jalen Woodley was an all-conference honorable mention last season. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Bothell-Kenmore Reporter