Surging Seniors
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The regular season ends this week and before Senior careers start ending, let’s take a look at some 2022s who have had big seasons and deserve some recognition.
Mershon Dickerson Mershon Dickerson 6'4" | SF Butler | 2022 State KY , Butler - The Bears have a big Senior class with a lot of talent and leadership. Admittedly, Mershon was not a name I knew before this season and that was a big mistake on my part. One of the best Seniors in Louisville, Dickerson has been reliable for Butler on an every night basis and has shown himself worthy of scholarship offers. They have their work cut out for them to get to the regional tournament but Butler is a very dangerous team and Mershon's emergence this season has contributed to that.
Aziel Blackwell Aziel Blackwell 6'2" | CG Henry Clay | 2022 State KY , Henry Clay - Aziel took advantage of the extra year offered by Senate Bill 128 and has had a huge Senior campaign. Blackwell has been one of the best players in the 11th region this season and has Henry Clay in the mix to be crowned region champs in a couple of weeks. At 6'2, Blackwell is an excellent slasher who attacks the rim all game long and lives at the free throw line. He's still not a super dependable shooter from three but the way he penetrates the lane, Aziel can create open looks for teammates when defenders have to collapse to stop him.
Alandre Murphy Alandre Murphy 6'3" | SF Elizabethtown | 2022 State KY , Elizabethtown - Another repeating Senior whose stock has taken off with the bonus year, Alandre looks like a completely different player this season as he has been allowed to play with the ball in his hands much of the season. Murphy has shown that he is an effective playmaker who can finish at the rim and take contact along the way. After the Panthers made a run all the way to the state title game last year but Alandre returned in hopes of boosting his college stock and I'd say the mission has been accomplished this season.
Mekhi Smith Mekhi Smith 5'10" | PG Saint Xavier | 2022 State KY , St. Xavier - Primarily known as a football star, Mekhi has been equally as good on the hardwood this season. I was in attendance for a 39 point game last month when he led the Tigers past Trinity in a big rivalry game and Smith was a walking bucket in that one. In a second viewing of him a couple of weekends ago, Mekhi was effective as a facilitator and created open looks for teammates all over the court. Smith is going to be a football player in college but his play this year has shown he is worthy of basketball scholarships as well.
