The destination has changed for Shane Kirker, but the Berne-Knox-Westerlo senior basketball star is still set to compete for a Division I program in the 2026-27 season.

Kirker, a 6-foot-7 perimeter player, reopened his recruitment after Air Force terminated the coaching tenure of Joe Scott in February. Kirker received interest from several colleges, and decided to continue his basketball career playing for coach Gary Manchel at Mercyhurst University of the Northeast Conference.

“I visited there and I felt like I was wanted there. I liked the school. I liked the coaches,” Kirker said. 

Air Force finished last and went 0-20 in the Mountain West play, compiling an overall record of 3-29. Scott was suspended in January as the school investigated his treatment of his players. The school and Scott ultimately parted ways one month later.

Mercyhurst finished 17-17 overall during the 2025-26 season, falling 79-70 against Long Island University in the Northeast Conference championship game. Even if the Lakers had defeated LIU, the program was ineligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament because it is in a reclassification period since elevating from the Division II level in 2024.

The Lakers also can not compete in the NCAA or NIT tournaments again this upcoming season, but will be eligible for postseason play for the 2027-28 season.

Manchel has coached at Mercyhurst for 24 seasons, compiling a 405-252 record. Overall, he has a 533-377 mark when adding in his time at UMass Lowell.

Manhattan and Canisius offered scholarships to the senior. Kirker had been talking with other schools from the MAAC, including Siena.

Kirker visited Mercyhurst, located in Erie, Pa., last week and made his decision before the weekend. He plans to major in business.

“It is definitely harder to go through (recruiting) and have to make a decision again,” Kirker said. “It all worked out.”

Kirker helped B-K-W snap a 46-year sectional title drought in 2025. He would go on to earn state tournament Most Valuable Player honors as the Bulldogs culminated a 26-0 campaign in Binghamton with a 63-47 victory over Honeoye in the state final.

This winter, the Bulldogs played an independent schedule largely made up of opponents from the large-school ranks. B-K-W entered sectionals as the top seed with a 14-6 record and proceeded to post wins over Waterford-Halfmoon (80-15), Maple Hill (91-36), Cambridge (77-64) and Stillwater (54-33) to earn a second straight sectional title. Kirker was named the event’s MVP.

The Bulldogs breezed into the state title game on the strength of victories over Mount Academy (67-28), Northern Adirondack (81-39) and North Salem (100-66).