MERCER ISLAND — Ed Pepple, the most successful high school basketball coach in Washington state history, is calling it a career after 42 years at Mercer Island High School.
The Seattle Times reports that Pepple made the announcement at his team banquet Thursday night and the retirement became effective Friday afternoon. He finishes his career with 952 victories in 49 overall years of coaching, the last 42 on the island just a few miles from Seattle.
Pepple, 76, says leaving behind the players is the toughest part of his decision. He won four state titles at Mercer Island and finishes his career more than 300 victories ahead of the next closest coach on Washington’s all-time wins list. Centralia’s Ron Brown has 651 and Eisenhower’s Pat Fitterer has 647.
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