The defensive battle that the Mercer Island boys basketball team faced against Thomas Jefferson Wednesday was fitting, as former Islander defensive coach and longtime assistant Paul Lagerstadt was on the bench for the Raiders. But a clutch fourth-quarter performance by Robbie Taylor ruined Lagerstadt’s homecoming as the senior gave Mercer Island the victory late in the fourth quarter, 50-44.

“They were a lot nicer before the game than during,” said Lagerstadt, who coached at Mercer Island for 12 years.

A long three-pointer and two big freethrows by Taylor put the game away for Mercer Island.