Some might call it a rebuilding year.

After all, South Kitsap lost a combined 37 points per game when standouts Caulin Bakalarski and Ryley Callaghan graduated.

Just do not suggest that to coach John Callaghan.

“Our expectations are as high as they always are,” he said. “We want to get to the Tacoma Dome.”

That might require the emergence of a pair of juniors: guard Eric Wattree and post Isaiah Lewis.

Wattree averaged 10.6 points per game last season. He also was efficient as he shot 46 percent from the field.

“We’re definitely ready to come and fill the shoes they had,” Wattree said.

Lewis averaged 4.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 2013-14. But Lewis played limited minutes last season as Forest Bingham, who has graduated, started most of the season at post.

“I’ve seen so much improvement in Isaiah since last year,” Wattree said. “I think he feels really comfortable with our group and he definitely committed to getting stronger. During fall and summer ball, he’s been a brut in the paint.”

Callaghan shared similar sentiments.

“He’s moving well,” said Callaghan, adding that he felt Lewis faced an adjustment period last season. “He’s going to have a good year.”

Both Callaghan and Wattree said the Wolves’ success won’t rest on a couple of players, though. Wattree said the composition of the roster reminds him of South’s 2012-13 that finished with a 16-9 record and fell one win short of advancing to the Class 4A state quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome.

“All of those kids grew up together and they were all really comfortable with each other,” he said. “I see some of the same things they had with our team.”

In addition to familiarity, both Callaghan and Wattree like the team’s depth.

“I think we have some good role players,” Wattree said. “We have some good shooters. I think we’re going to spread the ball.”

But the Wolves also benefited from large senior classes the last two years. South, which finished with an 18-8 record and was 7-5 in 4A Narrows League play in 2013-14, will not have an abundance of veterans this season.

“My biggest concern is just experience playing at that level,” Callaghan said. “But I think one of the best things is they work hard.”

Guard Travis Delgado is the only senior with varsity experience. Cooper Canton and Cole Sunkel, both of whom did not play last season, also return. Two more seniors, guards Noah French and Aaron Scott, are making the move from junior varsity. Callaghan said Scott “has really developed” and believes French, a defensive standout on the football team, can help as soon as he rounds “into basketball shape.”

“Noah’s a tough kid and a great teammate,” he said. “He’s going to do the dirty work for us.”

South opens its season Tuesday at Highline and only plays one 4A Narrows opponent, Dec. 10 against Stadium, before New Year’s Day. Callaghan likes the composition of the schedule.

“Usually we play our best basketball in January,” he said. “It kind of takes awhile for everyone to get comfortable with what we do.”

That means learning early against challenging competition. Callaghan believes the schedule will allow them to do that with a Dec. 13 contest against Bethel and during the Dec. 18-20 Curtis Winter Classic.

“Those should be good games,” said Callaghan, adding that Columbia River, which has advanced to state four times during the last decade, will be the Wolves’ first opponent in that tournament. “There’s going to be some good teams in there.”

He hopes those games will prepare his team for league play, which he views as competitive. Because Timberline replaced Central Kitsap in 4A Narrows, Gig Harbor (9-14) is the only school returning in the league that had a losing record last season.

“It’s a lot like last year,” Callaghan said. “Top to bottom it’s going to be tough. I think if there’s a frontrunner it probably would be Bellarmine.”