ARLINGTON — The Arlington varsity basketball team is hungry to get back to the state tournament after last year, in which the squad shared a Wesco 4A championship with Monroe and made the State Tournament for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Seven seniors — guard/forward Eric Carlson,  guards Zach Cooper, Connor Cummings and Griffin Ginnis, forward/center Isaac Ladines, forward Blake Petersen and center Shea Struiksma — have since graduated, but Nick Brown, Arlington’s head coach of six years, is excited to see what his younger players can do.

“We had one of best seasons in history last year,” Brown said, impressed with his young squad’s physicality in summer play which bodes well for his team’s success in the 4A gauntlet in the coming months. “I’m hoping we can bring back the same enthusiasm. We’ve got a new group, so we’ll see what we’ve got.”

Brown preaches stingy defense and will urge his team to push the ball down the court, but also to execute in the half court when fast breaks are not there. Slowing the ball down with one-on-ones seeking three to five passes to get best shot is the crux of Brown’s game plan.

There is an abundance of talent to assess as he begins to rebuild his varsity team during tryouts from Nov. 14-18.

According to Brown, senior forward Skylor Elgarico is a physical, outstanding athlete and competitor with incredible speed. Sophomore guard Gavin Smoke is Arlington’s hardest-working player and an outstanding ball handler who has done well adjusting to game plans and tricky situations. Third-year letterman and senior forward Bo Brummel returns to the team after being thrown to wolves, as Brown put it, on the varsity team two years ago as a freshman. His tough, physical nature has prepared him for any competition he may face.

Brown said that senior Marcus Bryson could be the best shooter in the league in addition to an incredible rebounder, while senior guard Tanner Goheen is a tough, rising leader. Junior Dan Boyden has incredible fundamentals, extreme strength and is one of smartest players in the Arlington basketball program. Junior guard Terry Dawn, “a phenomenal scorer with a silky smooth shot,” in Brown’s words, is one of the best players in the league. Senior guard Conner Davis is a lights-out shooter. Senior center DJ Smith is an incredible athlete.

“They’re just great kids with good skill,” Brown said. “They’re going to be physical and they’re going to compete. We want to do really well at the Garfield Jamboree (Nov. 26 at Garfield High School in Seattle) against really good teams.”

Arlington varsity opens its season on Nov. 29 against Marysville Getchell. 4A League play begins Dec. 6 at Stanwood.

“Make no mistake,” Brown said. “We’re ready to go.”