SHORELINE — Year two of the Shorecrest boys basketball team’s rebuilding process began with an unexpected gift.

Better still, it’s the type that keeps on giving.

Unsure of who would shoulder the offensive load this season with the graduation of their top three scorers, the Scots hit the jackpot in junior transfer Chris Chase.

The 6-foot-4 swingman led a 7-10 Highline team with 15.9 points per game as a sophomore and gives the Scots a proven playmaker they can look to in a pinch.

“People are going to enjoy watching him play,” second-year Shorecrest coach Bill Liley said. “He’s a very talented kid. He’s a tremendous scorer.”

Chase struck for 19 or more points five times last season and was a second-team, all-Seamount League King Division selection for the Pirates.

His arrival puts the Scots slightly ahead of schedule on Liley’s three-year road map to success.

“We felt that the first year we’d come in and establish some things; the second year we wanted to be better than we were the first year; and the third year we’ll be ready to win. That’s the time line we’re on right now,” Liley said.

“But getting a nice piece of the puzzle to come in early (in Chase) will probably help us be a little more competitive than I thought we’d be.”

Though their last-place finish in the Western Conference South Division and 4-17 overall record suggest otherwise, the Scots showed glimpses of a favorable future during Liley’s debut season as head coach.

The Scots lost 12 of their final 13 games, but five of those defeats were by nine points or less, including a one-point loss to crosstown Shorewood and an overtime loss to Meadowdale, a Class 3A state tournament semifinalist.

“Last year was more about trying to start a program and getting things in place for the future,” Liley said. “We had a fun summer, building on the things we did during the year.”

Liley put together an offseason itinerary that left plenty of time for practices in addition to tournaments, summer league games and team camp.

“A lot of teams just go out and play 50 games, but you’re reinforcing all the mistakes you made during the season. We practiced a lot and also played games,” Liley said.

“The kids got closer. They learned what each other is capable of doing. And we had some kids really step forward, some young kids.”

A few of those younger players will be thrust into varsity action this year. The Scots will start a pair of sophomores in 6-foot point guard Brandon Bible and 6-2 forward Jesse Hoffman.

In one scenario, Shorecrest could have five underclassmen on the floor at the same time.

“We’re going to play quite a few kids this year,” Liley said. “I definitely think we’re going to be more competitive.”

After tearing up the freshman ranks, Hoffman spent the final eight games with the varsity squad last season.

“He’s so quick and his instincts are so good,” Liley said. “I don’t know how much he was coached in basketball, his natural ability just kind of takes over.”

When he accepted the head coaching position, Liley was aware of the program’s recent struggles and that a large portion of his time would be devoted to grooming up-and-coming talent.

“We knew it was going to be a process. The cupboard was not very stocked,” he said. “We knew we were going to have to be really involved in player development and making sure we got kids in a position where they can compete.”

The Scots graduated five seniors in all and return just one starter in senior guard Ian Love, who has been slowed by an injury he sustained during an open gym in the fall.

“He made two moves that let me know, ‘This kid’s going to be ready,’ and then he breaks his hand,” Liley said. “But his cast is off and he’s ready to go.”

Seniors Jermaine Castillo, Nick Olsen and Shane Hoffman, junior Chris Lindsey and sophomore Darius Hollinshed will also figure predominantly into Shorecrest’s regular rotation.

“It’ll be about matchups. Those guys understand that,” Liley said. “I believe our kids want to win more than anything and they feel they have a chance to do that. Whatever’s going to give us the opportunity to win basketball games, that’s what we’ll go with.”

Wins will occur more frequently than recent seasons — Shorecrest is 17-65 overall since 1999-2000 — if the Scots can overcome their lack of size.

With a lineup that tops out at 6-4, Liley plans to increase the defensive pressure and force a more uptempo pace, rather than letting the opposition control the flow of the game.

“We want people to have to adjust to us,” Liley said. “I think the style of play we’re going to have this year is going to be different than the past few years. It’s going to be a different Shorecrest than people have seen.”