Can Mercer win the SoCon tourney? With a star senior and new coach, it could make a run.

Mercer basketball’s Ethan Stair missed his entire sophomore season with an injury and had to take a redshirt. As a junior, he missed 14 games with various injuries. He contemplated if college basketball was something he wanted to continue to do.

“There were times when I doubted and was wondering if this was even worth it,” Stair said. “The thing that helped me the most was just turning to God and my teammates.”

The injuries early in his career made Stair more appreciative of his senior season. He is now preparing for his final run with the Bears in the Southern Conference tournament. The 6-5 small forward is second on the team in scoring with 14 points per game and first in rebounds with 9 per game.

“I never really expected to be able to compete like I used to be. Or was able to before the injuries,” Stair said. “I am just thankful and lucky to be able to play basketball again.”

The Bears came into the season picked to finish near the bottom of the conference. Under new head coach Greg Gary, however, Mercer is the four seed in the SoCon tournament and will play No. 5 Western Carolina on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals. Mercer finished the regular season on a four-game win streak and have won 11 of their last 14 games.

In the Bears final road game against the Citadel, Stair recorded a career-high 23 rebounds. Gary, who was hired at Mercer after being an assistant at Purdue, credits Stair with being a big part of the team’s success this season. It’s also made the coach’s transition to his new school much easier.

“He is a guy you can count on every day. Brings his lunch pail to work, clocks in on time if not early, stays late and is a great kid,” Gary said. “He has been great to coach. Very fortunate to have him.”

Stair’s breakout season

Stair’s stats have improved each year, but this has been his breakout season. He has set career highs in points with 460, rebounds with 287, assists with 68 and 3-pointers with 59.He has embraced his role on the team and has embraced the change at head coach.

“The thing about coach Gary is he is a winner,” Stair said. “I just feel like coach Gary has a lot of confidence in me and I feel like I have just tried to buy more into my role.”

When Gary took over in March, he said he spent time watching film of the Bears’ returning players. What stood out for him about Stair was his ability to shoot and that he seemed to play tight. Gary said he has really pushed Stair to trust his shot and play with confidence. Gary believes that coaching is what has led to Stair’s success this season.

“I just wanted him to play more free and with confidence, because he has ability,” Gary said. “I just really wanted to give him a lot of confidence. Any time you are open, let it fly.”

The Bears have not won a conference championship since joining the SoCon in 2014, the same year Mercer upset Duke in the NCAA tournament. Stair joined the team in 2015 and wants to take advantage of his last chance at a SoCon title.

NCAA tournament experience

As one of two seniors on the team, Stair has taken on more of a leadership role this season. His experience in conference tournament games could provide the boost the Bears need to make a run. His coach is no stranger to going deep in the NCAA tournament — the Purdue Boilermakers made a run to the Elite Eight last season when Gary was an assistant.

“I have been there a couple times before but none of those times have really been the result we really wanted,” Stair said. “I feel like with coach Gary here, I think we can finally add that piece that we have been missing and we can take the next step.”

The Bears play Western Carolina in the first round of the SoCon tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Asheville, North Carolina. Stair might be closing out his final run at Mercer but he has plenty of unfinished business.

“I want people to remember as someone who brings toughness and that sort of mentality to the game,” Stair said. “We are not finished. I want to leave here with a championship in the SoCon and make a run in the NCAA tournament.”

Mercer vs. Western Carolina

When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Asheville, NC

Watch: ESPN+