While Riverside Brookfield High School senior guard Cam Mercer had little idea he was closing on 1,000 career points, his biggest basketball fan also is a knowledgeable one.
“My mom knew,” Mercer said.
“I didn’t really know because I told her not to tell me about it. I just like to go out there and hoop but that particular day, I knew. Mom told me.”
With his 16th point among his 18 Dec. 26, Mercer achieved the milestone during the Bulldogs’ 63-43 victory over Andrew Dec. 26 that began their Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York.
The Bulldogs (9-5) tied for 25th with a 2-2 record, concluding with a 50-46 victory over Lemont Dec. 30 after losing to Rolling Meadows 48-46 Dec. 29 and Batavia 64-45 Dec. 27.
Mercer becomes just the 16th player to achieve the 1,000-point feat in RBHS boys basketball history dating back to 1908.
Mercer has always been an impact player but didn’t join varsity until becoming a starter sophomore year — unlike many four-year players he joined on the elite list.
“It’s something we’ll acknowledge for him but not something we talked about. We talk about Ws, but it’s an awesome accomplishment,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said.
“That’s a great testament to his work ethic and how much time he puts into the game. We know how much he cares about it. He’s been an absolute pleasure since he’s been a Bulldog and he’s going to climb up that list.”
“It’s always great to be somewhat healthy. Hopefully I don’t miss any games this year, fingers crossed, knock on wood,” Mercer said. “It’s great to be able to know I’m going to play the next game.”
Mercer played a lot, hampered only by occasional foul trouble. He collected a team-high 67 points with eight threes and 23 rebounds and reached double figures all four games.
Other standouts were seniors Colin Cimino (40 points with 6 threes, 40 rebounds), Ben Biskupic (34 points, 22 rebounds) and Liam Enright (24 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists) and sophomore Noah VanTholen (32 points, 19 rebounds).
Non-starters Walker Burns, Anthony Tyler and Evan Elzy also continue to progress. Burns started in place of an ill Enright for the Batavia game.
“We always talk about playing four quarters. I feel like we struggled with that a little bit the middle two games,” said Cimino.
“It was nice to see us play a full game (against Lemont), keep that lead and start to build it. I think it was a really good game, a really good experience.”
Mercer’s biggest basket may have been against Lemont after RBHS jumped to a 15-2 lead but had to hold on throughout the fourth quarter.
Right after Lemont closed to 42-40, Mercer nailed a three with 4:28 left. Enright scored the Bulldogs’ next five points on a basket and three free throws for a 50-42 advantage with 1:43 to go.
“It was good that we kind of withstood their punch and stayed together,” Reingruber said. “It was a fun basketball game. They like to run up and down. Lemont’s a good basketball team. That was a good win for us to finish out the tournament.”
RBHS almost rallied against Rolling Meadows after trailing 44-35 with 2:37 left.
Biskupic’s second three in the quarter from Enright’s pass tied the game 46-46 with 36.8 seconds left but the Mustangs scored with 18.2 seconds to regain the lead.
Not calling a timeout, the Bulldogs came down the floor. VanTholen’s last-second three against two defenders was unsuccessful.
“I don’t like the defense to necessarily set up or do anything different (with a timeout). I thought we were getting good looks,” said Reingruber, who considered a timeout during the last possession.
“This game is going to make us better. We had chances and it doesn’t come down to that last shot.”
Cimino burned Andrew for 20 points behind 6-for-7 three-point shooting, but he’s also evolved in other areas of his game.
“I would say I couldn’t dribble at all last year. I would sit in the corner and shoot threes,” Cimino said. “I’m more aggressive, going to the basket, getting rebounds. I just think I’ve really changed from this shooter role to being more of an all-around player.”
