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Coming off a fourth place finish at the 4A state girls basketball tournament, Glacier Peak appears primed for another strong postseason run.

The Grizzlies only graduated two seniors – Haley Grambo and Sydney Guffey – from last season, and return the core of the squad that went undefeated in the Wesco 4A.

“Even though we only lost two players, we are a different team,” Glacier Peak coach Brian Hill said. “We have to find a new identity without them. That’s pretty much what summer is about.”

Glacier Peak wrapped up its busy slate of spring/summer activities with its annual team camp at Gonzaga. Eight of the 10 players who were with the Grizzlies throughout the summer made the trip to Spokane.

“We got tested. I don’t think any team there went undefeated,” Hill said. “It was good for everybody that was there. We know that we have stuff to work on.”

Junior Aaliyah Collins, a first-team, all-league selection, solidified her reputation as one of the top players in the state with strong offensive and defensive performances.

Collins also is a standout sprinter who placed third in the 400-meter race at the state track and field championships last spring.

“Her speed really shows on the basketball court,” Hill said. “She has another gear that other people don’t have. She’s so quick. She’s a real threat offensively.”

The same could be said of a number of returning Grizzlies. Junior Maya Erling, junior Madison Rubino and senior Shay Sande all played well this summer.

“Maya is a standout. She does all the dirty work,” Hill said. “Madison (5-feet-11) is the only big girl out there. She does a great job of cleaning up around the glass and finishing. Shay’s been solid for us all season.”

Despite the team’s success last season, the returning players are not guaranteed any particular roles.

“Whatever happened last year happened,” Hill said. “Last year doesn’t mean you get the same role. We’re playing to win games. You have to compete every day. If you’re not going to compete, we’ll find other people. It’s a tough love sort of thing. They know we mean it. It’ll help us win games.”

The Glacier Peak boys basketball team experienced more turnover than the girls squad with the loss of two first-team, all-league standouts – Fletcher Douglas and Evan Mannes – and one second-team selection – Noah Foreman.

The Grizzlies played in five tournaments this summer and are well on their way to developing a new team identity.

“It was a good summer,” coach Brian Hunter said. “Some guys are stepping into new roles, new positions. We do have some guys with experience. We do have some pieces in place.”

Glacier Peak will rely heavily on the two Braydens – all-league, honorable mention guard Brayden Quantrille and three-sport athlete Brayden Corwin, who also plays football and soccer.

“We’ll lean on them a lot,” Hunter said. “We’ll have good guard play with those two guys.”

Hunter is confident the Grizzlies have other players ready to step into starting roles.

“I think our kids are well schooled in how we play and what it takes to be successful,” he said.

Hunter has seen good play from junior Tucker Molina, senior Pierce Darlington, senior Caleb Lee, senior Tristan Bates, and junior Tyson Willis.

Quantrille and Corwin led the Grizzlies in scoring this summer. Molina and Bates also were solid offensive contributors.

An earlier version of this story misidentified a Glacier Peak girls basketball player.