Mercer Island basketball alums take next step to college level

Two Mercer Island High School graduates and former MIHS basketball players are taking their game to the next level, playing in college. Quinn Sterling, a 2011 graduate, and Brian Miller, who graduated in 2012, will be on college rosters this winter.

By Megan Managan • August 20, 2012 4:47 pm

Two Mercer Island High School graduates and former basketball players are taking their game to the next level, playing in college.

Quinn Sterling, a 2011 graduate, and Brian Miller, who graduated in 2012, will be on college rosters this winter.

Sterling was offered a walk-on position with the University of Washington’s basketball team. Though he will be a sophomore this fall, he will start the year with freshman level eligibility. He helped the Islanders to the KingCo tournament championships in 2011, and the state tournament. He played over the the summer with the Seattle Summer Basketball League, when a Husky coach saw him and asked him to try out in August. Sterling will join the team Aug. 25 through Sept. 8 on a basketball trip to Spain, France and Monaco.

“This is a great opportunity for Quinn,” said Mercer Island head coach Gavin Cree. “I always felt he had the passion, work ethic and ability to play at the college level. He will be a tremendous asset to Coach Romar and the Husky team.”

Miller will play basketball for Azusa Pacific University, located in Southern California, after being offered a scholarship.

The APU Cougars will be in the second year of a three year transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, joining the Pacific West Conference this season. The conference is the largest geographically diverse conference in Division II, made up of 14 schools in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Utah.

“I’m so proud of Brian for earning this opportunity to attend Azusa Pacific on a scholarship,” said Cree. “Brian is a great student and the level of play at the Division II level is outstanding. It will be fun to see how everything unfolds.”

Azusa will play two games in Seattle this year. The first will be on Nov. 9 against Central Washington and the second on Nov. 10 against Seattle Pacific. Both games will be played at Seattle Pacific University.

Other current Islanders playing in college include: Evan Zahniser at Pamona College, Derek Newhof at Linfield College, Kaj Sherman at North Idaho College and Sean Hughes at Bellevue College.