Most high school sports teams go through changes from season to season. Losing a few players to graduation and bringing up younger athletes is the nature of the challenge.
But for the Mercer Island High School basketball team, those challenges are magnified. The Islanders lost 11 players to graduation along with a long-time assistant coach, and injuries have slowed the progress of new varsity athletes.
“Some of the younger guys are going to have to step into bigger roles,” said Islander Peter Zajac. “There is definitely a lot of pressure. There is a lot of tradition at MI.”
That tradition begins and ends with the team’s head coach, Ed Pepple, who has won four state titles and enters his 42nd year at the helm.
“We have a number of guys that can play; they just don’t have much experience,” said Pepple.
Seniors Jon Poli, Zajac and Robbie Taylor will lead the team as captains. Zajac and Poli are the only players with varsity experience.
“The biggest difference is the speed,” said Poli. “You have to try and be more composed. We have tried to convey that to the younger guys at practice, but I think it is something you have to experience.”
One player who the team was hoping would make a big impact during his junior season was Kaj Sherman. But an injury will sideline the tallest and most talented player in the program. Other injuries to key players could slow the Islanders’ progress toward the beginning of the season.
“We need to get a couple guys healthy,” said Pepple. “Their attitude is outstanding. They know these conditions are not very favorable.”
One element that has become a little more favorable for the Islanders is the change in the league. While the Islanders will get some big tests early in the season from non-league competition, the team will not have to face powers such as Skyline, Newport and Issaquah in its quest for the KingCo championship. The changes also mean that the Islanders get eight non-league games and will play in a tournament in California during winter break.
“The early season will give us a big indication of whether we can compete with some of the top teams,” said Pepple.
Mercer Island will begin the season with one of its biggest challenges when Ballard comes to the Island tonight for the season opener.
“It is tough to lose those rivalries, but it is what it is,” said Pepple. “We have to play whoever is there.”
Another big change is the loss of long-time assistant Paul Lagerstedt, who has moved away and will be coaching at Thomas Jefferson High School. Ironically, the two schools will meet at Mercer Island on Dec. 22. Lagerstedt was the primary defensive coach for the Islanders, and former player Gavin Cree will take his place. Another coach to move up, who many Islander fans will remember, is Pat Frost. The junior varsity assistant moves up to take an assistant’s role with varsity.
On the court, there has been a crossover of talent that has not happened much in the past. Islanders Quinn Sterling, Kennan Adams and Zajac all played for the water polo team.
“Water polo is a really hard sport, and there are a lot of similarities,” said Sterling.
Pepple may be hoping that the water polo team’s success rubs off on his young team.
