Riverside-Brookfield senior guard Cameron Mercer is known primarily for his skills on a basketball court.
But it wasn’t always that way. He played football, baseball and soccer growing up.
“I always admired all type of sports — basketball, football, soccer, golf,” Mercer said. “I love every sport.
“I’ve loved basketball for a minute, but I really started taking basketball serious probably in eighth grade, so I was a little late.”
The 6-foot-2 Mercer, who is the son of former NBA player Ron Mercer, is seriously good.
“He’s a great player and we’re happy to have him on our side,” Riverside-Brookfield coach Mike Reingruber said. “He’s been our leader in pretty much every statistical category.
“He makes a lot of plays for us, both on the offensive end and with his defensive energy.”
That was the case again against Glenbard South on Jan. 22. Mercer scored 21 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and added six rebounds and two key steals as the visiting Bulldogs rallied from a 12-point deficit to beat the Raiders 53-46 in Upstate Eight East action in Glen Ellyn.
It was the eighth straight win for R-B (16-5, 7-1), and this victory was the most improbable. The Bulldogs shot 0 for 15 in the first quarter and missed 20 of their first 21 shots in falling behind 17-5.
Mercer picked up two early fouls and sat out for over five minutes. But he wasn’t too worried.
“I’m just confident,” Mercer said. “I knew we were going to win the game.
“It was just a matter of time and how we were going to come out with the energy. It’s just kind of that mindset of never give up until the buzzer ends.”
Mercer scored five points late in the first half, but the Raiders (15-7, 4-3) still led 20-15 at the break. He then reeled off the first seven points of the third quarter.
The Bulldogs finally took the lead for good when sophomore forward Noah VanTholen made two free throws to break a 43-all tie. VanTholen followed with a steal and dunk as R-B went on a decisive 9-0 run.
VanTholen finished with 12 points and five steals, while Liam Enright added 11 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
“We all kind of made plays down the stretch,” VanTholen said. “Cam had a couple steals. He had one where he dove on the floor.
“He’s a great leader and great mentor to me. Honestly, he shows me what it means to play hard and how to bring it.”
Reingruber said Mercer has been doing that ever since he became a varsity starter two years ago.
“He’s a tremendous outside shooter and he’s a hard worker,” Reingruber said. “Most of the time, he’s the hardest-playing player in the gym. He’s going to make some college program really happy.”
The uncommitted Mercer, who loves history and writing, is focused on leading the Bulldogs into the postseason.
“When we’re clicking on all cylinders, the sky is the limit for us,” Mercer said. “I think we can make a deep run in the playoffs.
“I don’t think we’re at a stage right now to get to a sectional or supersectional, but I don’t think we’re far away either.”