Usually when a first-place team graduates all five of its starters, “rebuilding” is the word used to describe the team’s efforts to stay competitive the following season. Unless you’re the Inglemoor High Vikings.

Head coach John Augustavo’s program is so inherently strong, he would rather use the word “reloaded” when referring to this year’s campaign.

“We’re looking pretty good. We did graduate five starters last year, but I have five seniors starting again this year,” he noted. “They’re solid. No real barn-burners, but they all work well together.”

The lack of a true superstar means that the five girls will have to play an unselfish brand of hoops in order to achieve success. And the Vikings intend to spread the ball around the court on any given night, as all have the ability to score — and score often.

Experience will also be on their side, as each member of the starting squad played at the class 4A state tournament last March.

The Viks will be led in the backcourt by sure-handed guards Alex Nelson and Brittany Gardner, flanked by wings Melissa Hough, a pure shooter, and Brynn Hamel, a scrappy, versatile player that will also see time at the post position. Post Lynsey Sandum will be a force down the middle for the Vikings.

Sandum had the most playing time last year out of the current starting five, averaging nearly five points per game. For a post player, she is especially proficient from long range, knocking down 20 3-pointers last season coming off the bench.

“We have a lot more talent than we expected,” said Nelson of the Inglemoor team. “We did graduate a lot of seniors, but we also had a lot of juniors on the bench that are now (starting). And we have a lot of juniors this year, so we’ll have a good bench, too.”

Augustavo’s team goal for the season is to win the 4A Kingco Crown Division, which consists of Lake Washington, Woodinville, Bothell, Ballard and Roosevelt in addition to the Vikings.

“With the way it sets up, I think we have a good shot at it,” Augustavo said. “Woodinville’s better this year, Bothell’s got a new coach … Roosevelt’s kind of a wild card, we never know how they’re going to be.”

With a lot of talent spread around the league and the fickle nature of the game of basketball, Augustavo knows the Vikings need to stay on their toes regardless of who they are matched up against.

“On any given night, if the kids aren’t playing well, anything can happen,” he said.

But in the Viking locker room, the players know that at season’s end, they won’t be satisfied until they can get back to the 4A state tournament and avenge last year’s 0-2 effort, which included a heartbreaking overtime loss to Mount Tahoma.

“Definitely try to get to state again, and do well in our league,” said Nelson when asked what her goals are for the season. “I just want to do well and help the team, make everyone better and make sure everyone’s having fun.”