Last year marked the worst season the Mercer Island boys basketball team has endured in the 39 seasons that Ed Pepple has been the team’s head coach.

But Pepple found a core group of players toward the end of the year that salvaged the season by finishing with a 7-7 in-league record and made the district playoffs.

“We had some young guys step in at the end of last season and we won five of our last six games,” said Pepple. “We were pleased with how they did at the end of the season and we can build off that.”

One player who is eager to prove that last season’s tumble was a fluke is senior Trevor Fulp, who missed time last season due to an injury.

“We all have so much respect for coach Pepple,” said senior Trevor Fulp. “It is unparalleled because of his legacy.”

That respect and the pride that all of the players feel when they pull on the maroon and white jersey will fuel a very athletic squad.

The most visible Islander on the team is Leroy Lutu. The junior had a huge impact last season by leading the team in scoring and earning 3A KingCo first team honors.

“He has gained a lot of confidence,” said Pepple. “He has been hurt, but he has been doing a lot of running so he should be in great shape. He will have to spend some time getting his shot back.”

The only weakness in Lutu’s game last season was his defense, but Pepple expects that to improve.

“He will have a great junior year if he works hard,” said Pepple.

Surrounding Lutu is a group of players who have competed together for years. That group includes Fulp, senior Kramer Aspiri and Sam Rasmussen.

Aspiri, Rasmussen and Jack Gala will give Pepple some versatility in the post. Aspiri has been on the varsity squad for three seasons and brings experience and strong play to the forward position. Another big offensive weapon for the Islanders is junior Matt Schut. Four players, Schut, Lutu, Fulp and Aspiri, started as sophomores for Pepple, a rare occurrence for boys varsity at Mercer Island High School.

“(Gala) will give us a physical presence under the basket, he can power around in there,” said Pepple. “He isn’t tall but he is big. (Rasmussen) has improved. He and Aspiri will give us some offensive rebounding. But we will be outsized inside during every game.”

Pepple said that one weakness of the team is the lack of overall height.

“We really need to have a five-man effort and good team defense,” said Pepple. “Rebounding has been a huge focal point for us but we are a running team.”

The team possesses good overall speed and athleticism. Lutu played safety and Gala was the football team’s punter and a lineman. Fulp helped the tennis team to a state title last spring.

“We have speed, but we want to mix it up,” said Pepple. “We don’t want to be predictable.”

Mercer Island will have to be prepared coming out of preseason practices as eight of the first nine games are away from home, including a three-game tournament in California, December 27-29.

“The first week of practice was the best I have ever experienced,” said Fulp. “We just have to stay focused but we have some really good talent.”

As with all sports this year, the Islanders will welcome Skyline back to 3A KingCo. But Pepple said that he is not worrying about what other teams will bring to the table.

“We need to worry about ourselves and stay focused,” said Pepple.

One team that everyone is gunning for is Bellevue. The Islanders and Wolverines have a storied past in every sport but the heat gets turned up for basketball.

“They are one of the favorites,” said Pepple. “But we can’t get caught up in what other teams have.”

The Islanders were supposed to play Bellevue Friday, but with the Wolverines playing for the state football championship, the game has been postponed. Mercer Island will open the season at 4A Eastlake at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Islanders will need a better start than last season to have a shot at the league title, a championship they have won more often than not.

Head coach: Ed Pepple (39th year, has won four state titles)

Assistant coaches: Paul Lagerstedt, Lance Davenport, Gavin Cree, Ron Cohn and Brett Ogata (JV).

Last year’s record: 7-7 in-league, 11-13 overall (first losing record in Pepple era).

Returning players: Kramer Aspiri (Sr.); Trevor Fulp (Sr.); Leroy Lutu (Jr.); Evan Zahniser (Jr.); Sam Rasmussen (Jr.); Matt Schut (Jr.).

Top newcomers: Drew Sexton (Jr.); Tobi Erhardt (Jr.); Jacob Tobis (Sr.); Greg Mahara (Sr.); Robbie Philbrick (Sr.); Jack Gala (Jr.).

Key losses: Grant Hope; David Kelley; Kael Kristof.

Key games: Bellevue, Eastlake, Atascadero tournament.

First game of the season: 7: 30 p.m. Friday at Bellevue