After a 1-2 start with tight losses to two defending state champions, Lakeville South rattled off a 10-game winning streak. It was a roll everyone thought the Cougars would finally get on.

Or not.

“Well … I wouldn’t say that,” humbled coach John Sheehan said. “I think we’re playing better basketball.”

With four senior captains and returning starters, expectations are high at Lakeville South. The Cougars reached the Class 4A, Section 3 finals in a much-improved season one year ago, and it was time to raise the bar.

Senior Alex Richter is averaging 23.1 points per game while making quick work of opposing defenses.

“I get a lot of easy ones,” Richter said modestly, crediting his teammates and a swift transition game.

Sheehan has had the pleasure of seeing Richter score but more noticeably has witnessed an increased maturation in the 6-5 forward.

“He just won’t let you lose. Whatever situation it is, he’s going to play harder and stronger,” Sheehan said. “Sometimes he’s going to score 30 points, sometimes he’ll score 14 points, but as long as the team is getting better, he gets it.”

Add in seniors Jon Christensen (12.9 ppg), Riley West (11.4 ppg) and Spencer Pankonin (7.7 ppg) — three classmates who have been playing together since elementary school — and the Cougars have an enviable combination of skill and experience.

Sheehan credited Jason West, Riley’s dad, who guided them up through the youth levels and instilled high basketball IQs in the athletes. Particularly against man-to-man defenses, the Cougars can execute at any spot on the floor.

“When you have a veteran team like this, you don’t have to spend much time with all your X’s and O’s,” Sheehan said.

Minnetonka coach Tom Dasovich knew what was coming last weekend when the Cougars beat the Skippers 91-67 on their home court at the Tip-Off Classic. Dasovich called them a physical, senior-led top-five team in the state.

Numerous polls would agree. Sheehan doesn’t want to hear it.

“There’s only one rating that really counts, and that’s the end of the year,” Sheehan said before losing to section and conference rival Eastview 59-43 on Tuesday night. “If you let it go to your head sometimes, you get carried away and think you’re better than what you are. You have to show up.”

The Cougars are working on rebounding, man-to-man and perimeter defense, some areas to shore up come playoff time. Earlier in the year, Lakeville South lost by a combined five points to defending Class 4A and 3A state champions Hopkins and St. Paul Johnson, respectively.

While they would like to beat Hopkins in the state tournament, they will first have to solve the South Suburban Conference and Class 4A, Section 3 rival Eastview, which beat Lakeville South in the section finals one year ago and then again in conference play on Tuesday to break that winning streak.

Streaks are nice, but gradual growth and team improvement remain the top priority.

“Everybody just take it one game at a time,” Richter said. “Steppingstones to get to that state tournament, because that’s what’s ultimately our goal and win the state championship.”