Mercer Island boys crush Juanita | Prep boys basketball

The Mercer Island boys basketball team ended a strong week with its third-straight win Friday, Jan. 17, beating the Juanita Rebels 54-25 at Mercer Island High School.

January 21, 2014 3:53 pm
Mercer Island’s Jake Stenberg drives to the hoop against Juanita Friday
Mercer Island’s Jake Stenberg drives to the hoop against Juanita Friday

The Mercer Island boys basketball team ended a strong week with its third-straight win Friday, Jan. 17, beating the Juanita Rebels 54-25 at Mercer Island High School. With the win, the Islanders improved its KingCo record to 7-2 and its overall record to 11-4.

From the opening tipoff, the Islanders were off to a fast start and did not look back. Mercer Island led 13-6 after the first quarter and 28-14 at the half. The Islanders opened the second half going on a 19-8 tear in the third quarter before dialing it in for the victory. Kaleb Warner led the Islanders in scoring with 13 points. Andrew Pickles had 10, while senior captain Jake Stenberg and Daniel Sims each contributed 9 points for Mercer Island.

The boys were coming off a two-game losing streak Monday, Jan. 13, when they took on the Interlake Saints at Mercer Island High School. The Islanders came out aggressive, pressing the Saints early and scoring often to lead 21-7 after the first quarter. They led by as much as 20 in the second quarter, heading into halftime up 39-20. Mercer Island maintained a lead around 18 for much of the second half to cruise to a 60-46 victory. Kaleb Warner led the Islanders in scoring with 16 points. Andrew Pickles had 12, Gabe Boucad had 9 and Nick Taylor had 8 points for Mercer Island.

In its second game in as many nights, Mercer Island was off to another strong start Tuesday against Sammamish, leading 18-6 after the first quarter and 35-18 at the half. Sammamish made a run in the second half, cutting the deficit to six in a 16-7 third quarter, but Mercer Island held the Totems to single digits in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 55-42 victory. Kaleb Warner led the Islanders in scoring with 21 points and senior captain Jake Stenberg had 11. Andrew Pickles contributed 8 points, and David Emanuels, Daniel Sims and Nick Taylor each pitched in 5.

The Islanders will take on Mount Si at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Mercer Island High School, and then will travel to Interlake High School to take on the Saints at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24. It will be the second matchup of the season for the two teams.