The Mercer Island Islanders, under coach Ed Pepple, have historically been a perennial KingCo and state title contender. They have graduated many players to college, and a couple of them eventually played in the NBA. The Islanders showed why they are so tough in beating Mount Si 66-53 in KingCo 3A boys’ basketball action last Tuesday night at Mount Si High School.

“We just gave up too many easy hoops. That was one thing we identified. They’re such a disciplined team that when we take a bad shot or make a turnover, they lay it up on the other end, and they did a good job of that. They just continue to get easy hoops and that’s why they’re successful,” said Mount Si coach Garrick Phillips.

The Islanders’ Kevin Tempest led all scorers with 17 points. Brandon Burmeister had 13 points, and Kevin Chrils and Ryan Hammer each scored 12 points to pace Mercer Island.

Mercer Island led throughout the game, holding a 13-point lead at one point. But every time the Islanders tried to pull away, Mount Si came roaring back to make it close again.

The Wildcats even had a few chances to tie or even take the lead during the course of the game. None of that went the Wildcats’ way, and that frustrated Phillips.

“We just couldn’t get a shot to go down big time,” he said, adding, “We had it 55-51 there, three or four possessions, and just couldn’t make a shot, and they hit a couple big ones and turned it around on us. But, yeah, we just needed one shot to go, and I think it would’ve kind of broke the ice.”

Logan Ratcliffe scored 11 to lead all Mount Si scorers. Jeremy Johnston added 10.

Mount Si will close out its regular season with games against Interlake and Bellevue.