Titans Reach Dream of Playing in Rupp Arena
Senior Alijah Mink attempted a shot during the State Tournament at Rupp Arena.
Mercer County sophomore Trevon Faulkner attempted a free-throw in the second quarter of the State Tournament. Faulkner had 16 points and four rebounds in the game.
Mercer County senior Will Hager, right, went up for two of his team-high 22 points in the KHSAA State Tournament against Dunbar. Hager also finished with nine rebounds and five assists.
Mercer County Head Coach Josh Cook guided the Titans to the best season in school history in just his second year.
Daarik Gray
Herald Staff
sports@harrodsburgherald.com
The best season in Mercer County boy’s basketball history came to an end Wednesday, March 16, in the KHSAA State Tournament at Rupp Arena as they fell 58-55 to Paul Laurence Dunbar. But it was what the Titans did throughout the season which will be remembered most.
Mercer County finished the season with a 33-2 record, which was the best in school history. They also won the Farmers National Bank Clash of the Titans Championship, the Gateway Holiday Classic Championship, the 46th District Championship and the 12th Region Championship.
“It is a special group. All along I’ve promoted to play an unselfish style of basketball and they did that. That is a very uncommon thing nowadays, especially as much promotion as individual players get. I’m proud of them for that,” said Mercer County Head Coach Josh Cook, who has a 56-11 record in his two seasons in charge.
“They tuned out a lot of the stuff. Earlier in the year they said we’d go undefeated and all those things and our kids have tuned it out. They put the team first the entire time and never once got selfish and I am a proud coach for that.”
Much like the Titans’ entire season, there was a lot of anticipation and hype heading into Wednesday nights game against Dunbar.
After falling behind 11-3 early in the game, Mercer County started to gain their composure.
