By Matt Phelps

Last season the Mercer Island boys basketball team missed the state tournament for just the second time in a decade. Islander head coach, Ed Pepple, is entering his 39th season with the school. The legendary coach hopes that improved play from the team’s big man, Grant Hope, quick hot shooting guards and the emergence of Kael Kristof as one of the league’s best players will help Mercer Island get back into state title contention.

“We aim for state every year but that is not how the real world works,” said Pepple. “We are going to be able to run. We have good quickness, we have good shooters and our defense should be pretty decent.”

Pepple said that rebounding could be a concern as the height of the team is concentrated mainly in Hope. The 6-foot 9-inch center has made great strides during the off season, bringing comparisons to Brayden Billbe, who played for the Islanders in 2002 and 2003. The 6-foot 10-inch Billbe made a huge leap from his junior year as a bench player to starter his senior year. Billbe holds the school record for blocked shots and led his team to the state playoffs.

“They have been very comparable,” said Pepple about the changes in the two players during the summer before their senior year. “They have totally different styles, but I think, just like with Brayden, everyone will be very pleasantly surprised.”

Pepple looks for Hope to be more consistent than last year in the scoring and rebounding areas.

During Billbe’s senior year he had the scoring threat and all around play of current University of Washington Husky Brandon Burmeister. This year Hope’s big play teammate may be Kristof, who is 6-foot 3-inches tall and also a senior.

“He is going to be one of the best players in the league,” said Pepple. “There are a lot of experienced guys who have stepped up and gotten better.”

The Islanders are stacked with small, quick guards, which should cushion the impact of starter Yannik Mathews move to Garfield High School.

“He is a really good player,” said Pepple. “But luckily it is our deepest position, so the impact won’t be that great.”

Noah Blakney who graduated last June, is another impact player the team lost.

Players such as senior David Kelley, senior Deven Lewis and sophomore Even Zahniser will run the team from the point-guard position. Islander Carter Newhof has also earned a bigger role on the team as the senior guard has a lot of starting varsity experience and an accurate shot.

Islander Kramer Aspiri, a 6-foot 4-inch forward, has a big opportunity as he had considerable varsity experience as a junior. Senior Jacob Gottlieb, senior Carson McKenzie, senior Adam Brazg and sophomore Sam Rasmussen will round out the forward position and will be looked to for help grabbing rebounds in the post.

Gottlieb and sophomore Leroy Lutu will bring some brute force from the football field to the basketball court.

The Islanders will start the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, as they host 4A Lake Washington.

But the biggest preseason tests will bookend Christmas weekend. December 23, the Islanders will play Marin Catholic at the University of Washington and then two days later fly to Hawaii for a tournament.

“The kids are really looking forward to it,” said Pepple. “(The 23rd) is not a great date, but we hope to draw a decent crowd and get a win.”

Mercer Island will also host Mornington, a traveling team from Australia on Jan. 7.

Pepple expects the 3A KingCo league to be balanced this year, with the Islanders, Mount Si and Sammamish possibly shaking out as the top teams.

The coach also cautioned that Bellevue could be a dark horse. With the Islanders and Wolverines history in all sports, both games (Jan. 10 and Feb. 2) should be as entertaining as ever.

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: 15-8 overall, missed the state playoffs.

Returning players: Carter Newhof (Sr.), Grant Hope (Sr.), David Kelley (Sr.), Kael Kristof (Sr.), Kramer Aspiri (Jr.) and Trevor Fulp (Jr.).

Top newcomers: Leroy Lutu (So.), Evan Zahniser (So.) and Sam Rasmussen (So.).

Key losses: Noah Blakney and Yannik Mathews (transferred to Garfield H.S.).

Key games: Marin Catholic (at UW), Hawaii tournament, Mornington from Australia, Bellevue, Mount Si and Sammamish.

First game of the season: 7:30 p.m., Friday vs. Lake Washington.