The energy inside the Lakota East gymnasium was electric on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t just the conference rivalry fueling the buzz. It was the homecoming of one of Cincinnati’s most dynamic talents.
In a statement 62-37 victory over the Thunderhawks, the Princeton Vikings (4-1, 3-1 GMC) showcased a balanced, high-octane offense and a suffocating defense, all headlined by the highly anticipated debut of Kam Mercer.
A Statement Start
Mercer didn’t make the fans wait long to see what the hype was about. He opened the scoring for the Vikings in spectacular fashion, jumping a passing lane for a steal and sprinting coast-to-coast for a thunderous left-handed tomahawk dunk. That play set the tone for a night where Princeton’s athleticism simply overwhelmed the opposition.
Despite being shadowed by a primary defender or double-teamed nearly every time he touched the ball, Mercer remained efficient and composed. He finished his first game in a Vikings uniform with an impressive stat line:
- 14 Points (4-for-8 FG, 6-for-7 FT)
- 6 Rebounds
- 4 Steals
- 3 Blocks
The “Mercer Effect”
The constant defensive attention on Mercer acted as a catalyst for the rest of the Princeton roster. With the Thunderhawks focused on containing the newcomer, lanes opened up for a trio of Vikings to punish the defense:
- Rognny Santiago: 14 Points
- Amir Phillips: 14 Points
- A’mire Gill: 12 Points
This balanced scoring attack proved that while Mercer is a superstar addition, the Vikings’ strength lies in their depth and unselfishness.
In His Own Words: “It Feels Good to be Home”
After the game, Mercer was quick to deflect the spotlight toward his teammates and the joy of being back in the Queen City.
“Man, it feels so good to be back home in Cincinnati,” Mercer said. “The environment tonight was exciting, and you could feel the intensity from the jump. I’m just really proud of my teammates; everyone contributed and stepped up when the defense collapsed on me. To get a big GMC win like this in my first game back means everything.”
Looking Ahead: Kam’s First Game at Viking Arena
The Vikings now turn their attention to Friday, December 19, as they host Middletown. The matchup marks Mercer’s first home game at Princeton High School—a night that is expected to draw a very large crowd.
Mercer is already looking forward to the atmosphere at Viking Arena, which holds about 3,000 seats at capacity.
“I’m beyond excited to play in front of the home crowd on Friday,” Mercer added. “It’s a historic basketball school with an enthusiastic fanbase, and their energy is so important to our success. We feed off that noise, and I can’t wait to see the community come out and support us.”
With the Vikings sitting at 4-1 and finding their rhythm with their new-look lineup, the GMC has officially been put on notice.
Photos by: Cara Daugherty