Riverside Brookfield High School senior Cameron Mercer patiently worked back to his high level of basketball after suffering a mid-season ankle injury as a junior. His recent patience with college basketball recruiting also paid off.
The 6-foot-2 shooting guard received further offers that culminated with his May 4 commitment to NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University (Marquette, Mich.) on the shores of Lake Superior.
“I just felt a little bit more connected than the other options I had. (It was) that I just felt more connected to it, the classes, the majors, the financial situations, the campus,” he said. “That was kind of cool; you could see the beach from the facilities. The weather’s always going to be cold so it wasn’t really a difference to me because I live outside Chicago.”
Mercer said Northern Michigan entered the picture about three weeks ago. He also received an offer from DII Wisconsin-Parkside and “about eight or nine” NAIA or junior college programs. Mercer said Division I and some Division II options weren’t guaranteed or were contingent on other players’ decisions.
“I just felt like I had to make the decision quick before I lose the opportunity,” He said. “I don’t get frustrated with things like (waiting). I kind of put that past me so whatever the universe wants to do with my career, I’m ready.”
Mercer was named to the third team of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State boys basketball team. Besides helping the Bulldogs to another co-Upstate Eight Conference East Division title with Glenbard East, Mercer became the program’s all-time career leader in three-pointers (213) and moved into fourth in career points (1,415) over just three varsity seasons.
He began this season averaging 22 points during the annual home Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Classic. He led the Bulldogs in scoring (20.8 points per game), threes (87), steals (75), charges taken (11) and free-throw percentage (.832) by making 149 of 179.
Keil Ganz was named the Wildcats’ new head coach in early April after spending last season as an assistant at Wisconsin-Green Bay. Former head coach Matt Majkrzak now is at Northern Illinois. Ganz is a previous assistant at Northern Michigan, including as associate head coach for the 2024-25 season.
Last season, the Wildcats were 28-7 (16-4 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in their fourth straight appearance.
“The school is known for wining a lot of championships,” Mercer said. “Just winning (is the goal) but the personal goal is to be the best player I can be within the team as I evolve, get stronger of course.”
LTHS boys gymnastics
Lyons Township freshman Patrick Raddatz stopped competing club gymnastics after five years in seventh grade. After reuniting with senior TJ Carr at the LTHS activities night, Raddatz decided to resume the sport in high school.
The two are among the reasons the Lions qualified for their ninth straight state meet team appearance after their second-place 135.90 at the IHSGCA Downers Grove North Sectional Friday.
“Over the course of the year, the entire team put in a great amount of effort to get to where we are,” Raddatz said. “High school gymnastics has been an amazing experience. The biggest difference is the team. In club, you’re friends with people but only friends with them on the team. Almost after every meet, we hang out as a team. After sectionals, we had a bonfire.”
The Lions are among the hottest teams around, achieving a season-high score for the third straight meet following their 131.00 at the May 1 conference meet.
“They did great. They really put it together (at sectionals),” LTHS coach Sam Zeman said. “Evan Ries was the first one up on high bar. When I saw his form and the way he presented himself right through to the stuck landing, that set us up for a very good meet.”
All-arounders Carr (46.75), freshman Dante Rodriguez (45.05), Raddatz (42.45) and sophomore Ries (39.70) finished third, fifth, sixth and ninth and juniors Ignacio Rodriguez and Jayden Girgis also competed. Senior Jack Michaelson and sophomore Drew Trimmer are expected to rejoin the lineup at state Saturday at Hoffman Estates.
Carr (8.8 on horizontal bar) and Dante Rodriguez (9.0 on vault) were sectional champions.
Dante Rodriguez was second on parallel bars (8.55), fourth on floor exercise (8.6) and fifth horizontal bar (6.9), Carr was second on pommel horse (7.85) and Raddatz was fourth on parallel bars (8.0) and tied for fourth on horse (7.15).
Needing one of the 10 highest scores among the three sectionals to advance as a team, the Lions had the fifth best.
LTHS was ninth at state in 2025 (131.05). This time, they’re hoping to contend for top four and possibly a top-three team trophy.
Raddatz trained club at Flying High over two stints and Oak Park. He competed at club state twice.
“I’m really looking forward to how well we can do as a team,” said Raddatz, coming off a personal-best all-around at sectionals. “I’m very excited too to see what my new bests can be this year.”