By Dave Pedersen
January 11, 2007

Basketball Rivalry Has Playoff Atmosphere

It started to feel like the old days for the Cooper High boys basketball team when it was tough going playing in the tough Classic Lake Conference.

After seven straight wins to open the season, Cooper lost non-conference games to Classic Lake powers Edina and Wayzata. A third CLC giant, No. 8-ranked Armstrong was next in line for the Hawks last Friday.

Enough is enough said Cooper, forging to an 80-66 victory in a rematch of the section title game won by the Hawks.

The district rivals only play once each year, unless paired in the playoffs, since Cooper moved to the North Suburban Conference last year. Friday's game re-created the atmosphere seen in last year's section final when fans and media were in full force.

Coach Kurt Pauly said the difference against Armstrong was "effort," especially by senior Dennis Williamson and sophomore Rodney Williams Jr., who both scored 25 points.

"We challenged them a bit after how we played against Wayzata," Pauly said. "If you don't play with passion, you can't beat good teams. Your best players have to be your leaders and they were against Armstrong."

Williamson, who entered the game averaging 20 points, said the loss to Edina and Wayzata "opened up our eyes."

Williams was averaging 16 points before having a breakout game against Armstrong. He started strong by hitting some 3-points shots. He would proceed to score from all over the court.

"It was a big game and I knew I had to step up," Williams said. "In the two games we lost I had to shoot some threes down the stretch when we got behind. I stayed after practice to work on it last week."

Also helping with key long shots was senior Adam Olson with 17 points. Starter Jordan Wetsch did not score as much, but helped set up his teammates with on-target passes and stiff defense along with Ahmad Palmer.

Cooper next heads to Chisago Lakes Jan. 12 before coming home to face North Branch Jan. 16.