Titans win KBA state tournament

Mercer County basketball coach Josh Cook had a successful first year at the helm. His team won a school record 23 games, the 46th District title for the first time since 2011 and advanced to the 12th Region semifinals.

Cook expects even better results in his second year as he returns 95 percent of his scoring, which includes three double-digit scorers, Will Hager, Malik Dow and Trevon Faulkner.

Before the Titans worry about outdoing their 2014-15 season, though, they prepared by playing in several summer league games and tournaments.

Last weekend, the Titans traveled to the Kentucky Basketball Academy (KBA) in Lexington and competed in the Boys Summer State Tournament.

The Titans opened pool play Thursday night with a win over Bath County. Friday they continued their success with a win over Rowan County before suffering a loss to Lexington Christian Academy on Friday.

Mercer opened elimination play against Grant County, making short work of the  Braves in a 90-43 blowout. 

The Titans saw a familiar face in their second round opponent, fellow 12th Region member Southwestern. Mercer ended the Warriors’ regular season in March, beating them 69-65 in the first round of the 2014-15 12th Region Tournament. The Titans proved that three months hadn’t made much of a difference and defeated Southwestern again, 76-74.