Randall Edens leaves Lake Stevens to take over Issaquah girls basketball program

Randall Edens' career wrap-up with Lake Stevens High School girls basketball alone makes him one of the better coaches this state has ever seen.

In 18 seasons, his teams have won 306 games - making hime one of 15 active coaches with 300 or more career victories.

The Vikings have won seven Wesco titles, advanced to 10 KingCo-Wesco bi-district title games, winning five times. And they've been to the WIAA tournament 10 times - with a school-best fourth-place finish in 2010-11.

As he noted, "Nothing was pushing me out."

But something else was tugging at his mind and spirit.

Edens, 47, announced Monday that he was leaving Lake Stevens to take the head-coaching position with Issaquah girls basketball, replacing Mike Girias after one season.

And while that leaves a void in one of the 4A Wesco's premier programs, suddenly the already-powerful 4A KingCo just got a little bit stronger.

"I decided to pursue the opportunity," Edens said, "and give it a shot."

Although never a state champion, Issaquah has always been regarded as one of the 4A KingCo's sleeping-giant programs - first in the early 2000s under Kathy Gibson, and then most recently in 2019-20 under Doug Crandall.

The Eagles graduated three seniors from last year's squad, but return just one senior - post player Annie Gibbons. And they have talented guard Lia Hanson, an all-4A KingCo second-team selection a year ago, back to lead the attack.

"We have pieces that will be really good," Edens said. "And I am looking forward to leaning on (Hanson) and her experience."

Edens will continue to teach at Lake Stevens High School while coaching at Issaquah.