BELLEVUE — Mount Si’s No. 1-ranked 3A KingCo

Valley Division boys’ basketball team took on the Sky Division’s No.

1 team, Mercer Island, Friday night in a game that awarded the

league championship to the Islanders, who defeated the Wildcats 77-54.

Mercer Island’s Justin McCullum’s three-pointer in

the first quarter set the tone for the night. The Wildcats were

shadowed beneath the Islanders in an obvious height disadvantage

that made if difficult for them to guard, post up and shoot past the

taller Islanders.

The Wildcats were able to hold the Islanders to a 17-13

score at the end of the first quarter, but were unable to keep up with

Mercer Island’s quick passing, running and precision shooting in

the second quarter. The half-time score had the Wildcats trailing

by seven, a margin that would grow over the next two quarters.

In the third quarter, McCullum scored six straight points to

up the lead to 48-32 with less than four minutes left in the

quarter. By the end of the third, the Wildcats trailed even further at

58-42, but the `Cats were not willing to give up a league

championship yet.

Early in the fourth, Mike Dahm’s two three-point

baskets brought the score to 64-50. He was followed by an outside shot

made by Isaiah Cormier later in the quarter, bringing the score to 68-53.

It wasn’t enough, however, as the Wildcats were unable to

stop Mercer Island’s attempted shots near the basket, and the

Islanders made the most of it.

With 1:53 left to go in the fourth and the score at

73-53, Mercer Island brought in its second-string players. The

Islanders were still able to manage two more baskets to Mount Si’s one

foul shot, bringing the final score to 77-54.

Isaiah Cormier led the Wildcats with 19 points. Mike

Dahm had 15. McCullum and Justin Waldie of Mercer Island

were game-high scorers with 22 and 21 points.

Mount Si’s season isn’t over. The `Cats play this week in

the 3A regional tournament. Game time was scheduled for 8:15

Tuesday night.