In the first district basketball game of the tournament, Mercer Island narrowly beat Eastside Catholic, winning in overtime.

The Islanders, who entered the SeaKing district tournament in the No. 3 spot, beat the Crusaders 89-86 at home on Saturday afternoon. Mercer Island’s Joe Rasmussen scored 38 points during the game to help the team to a win.

Mercer Island was up 20-18 at the end of the first quarter, followed by a 22-12 point total in the second. Eastside Catholic, determined not to let the season end, hit 23 points during the third quarter, followed by 26 in the fourth quarter to tie the game at the end of regulation. Mercer Island scored 10 during the extra minutes to give the team the win.

Besides 38 from Rasmussen, Sam Cohn had 13 points, while Brian Miller added 12 and Jeff Lindquist had 10 points. Kaleb Warner scored seven, Sean Hughes had six and Parker Scott score three points.

The team moves forward to play Metro’s No. 1 team, O’Dea on Tuesday, Feb. 14. at 8:15 p.m. at Ingraham High School in Seattle.

A win over O’Dea would move the Islanders into the semi-finals against the winner of the Rainier Beach vs. Bellevue games also on Tuesday night. The semi-finals will be held Thursday, Feb. 16 at Bellevue College. A loss to O’Dea would move the team into the consolation bracket, playing on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Bellevue College against the loser of the Beach/Bellevue match.

The top five teams from the SeaKing district will earn places in the first round of the state’s regional basketball tournament, beginning Feb. 24.