For Isaac Schultz-Tait, Leadership and Love for Basketball Define His Senior Season

Isaac Schultz-Tait is a rare breed of high school athlete.

His 6-foot-4-inch frame draws a lot of attention, but it’s not his physical presence that turns heads — it’s his evolving philosophy on sports, leadership, self-expression and self-discovery that make him stand out as he enters his senior season at Peninsula High School.

Schultz-Tait, last year’s leading scorer (13.6 points per game), captains a Seahawks basketball team that endured a rocky 4-16 season that ended with 10 consecutive losses. Injuries among top players and undeveloped underclassmen left the team struggling to close out games. But out of those struggles came a fresh perspective for the two-sport athlete, one that goes beyond the game and delves into the responsibilities of leadership and personal fulfillment.

This past summer, Schultz-Tait made a difficult decision: he decided to slowly start easing away from baseball, a sport he’d played since he was young. The move was deeply personal, made after a successful season when he led his West Central District Championship team in runs scored. It was a decision that wasn’t entirely understood by everyone around him, but he knew it was necessary. As Schultz-Tait sees it, high school athletes often feel pressured to do what others expect of them, but he’s learned to look inward, even if that means going against the norm.

“We’re in the peak of our teenage years. We should be finding things to do that we enjoy, things we love to do,” said Schultz-Tait, who finds joy in expressing himself through fashion — a blend of thrift store finds and personal flair that hints at his creative side. “We shouldn’t just do things because other people think we should. I was burned out. A lot of kids are scared to say that, or that they’re just not happy doing something they used to love. But we have to do what’s best for ourselves and our mental outlook.”

Schultz-Tait’s mature and thoughtful approach is a reflection of his growth, something both he and Seahawks basketball coach Sean Muilenburg have noticed. Last season, frustration during basketball games sometimes got the best of him, but he’s learning to channel his emotions into becoming a better leader. “I had to look in the mirror and ask, ‘Is this how I want people to see me, a person without control or respect?’ ”

Muilenburg saw his evolution firsthand, calling his all-conference performer a standout in open gyms over the summer and fall, and a key mentor to underclassmen. Known for his offense, the senior has spent his off-season honing his defensive skills, preparing for the team’s fast-paced, press-heavy style and quick transitions. “He’s really stepped up and worked on his game,” Muilenburg said. “It’s his time, and he knows it.”

This season, Schultz-Tait will likely find joy sharing the court with 6-foot-4-inch junior AJ Alexeev, a standout transfer who averaged 20.4 points per game while leading Sound Christian to fourth in the 1A state tournament last year. The two have been developing chemistry during fall ball. Schultz-Tait described Alexeev as “a big dude who’s solid on offense and can play really good defense.” Muilenburg was equally complimentary of Alexeev: “When AJ’s on the court, we’re a whole different team.”

Supporting the team’s frontcourt is Muilenburg’s youngest son, Aiden, a 6-foot-5-inch sophomore who brings a key rebounding presence and complements the offensive strengths of Schultz-Tait and Alexeev. Senior Wyatt Abrigo, a 6-foot-2-inch forward, anchors the defense, with the elder Muilenburg praising Abrigo’s knack for making crucial defensive plays. Senior guard Carson Zimmerman will miss the early season due to a collarbone injury from football, but Muilenburg is confident he’ll have a big impact once he’s healthy.

Muilenburg, now in his third year leading the Seahawks, shares a strong history with many of his players and is confident this year’s team is equipped to handle the rigorous schedule ahead. They’ll play eight games in 17 days in December to start the season, with six of those games on the road. The Seahawks open the season at home Dec. 3 against Silas High School and are back at the Peninsula Gym Dec. 13 against North Thurston. Both games are at 7 p.m.

Because Peninsula and Gig Harbor are in separate divisions in the new Puget Sound League, the rivals will only play each other once (Jan. 15 at Gig Harbor) during the regular season. While Muilenburg expects Lincoln and Bellarmine Prep to lead the PSL, he believes his team has the potential to surprise the conference — and maybe even themselves — by exceeding expectations.

To do that the Seahawks will need to navigate a lineup filled with underclassmen hungry for growth. Through his leadership lenses, Schultz-Tait views this mix of experience and youth as an opportunity to establish a foundation of hard work and resilience. He said he and his fellow seniors aim to inspire a new identity for Peninsula basketball — one marked by discipline, unity, and respect.

“I’ve been tough on the underclassmen, pushing them to get better,” he said. “No one really did that for me, so I want to make sure they’re ready for the future. I’m trying to help change the way people view Peninsula basketball. It kind of gets overlooked, but we’re working on that.”