In a stunning display of skill and composure, Monacan’s Amare Cooper led his team to a championship victory at the Freeman Basketball Tournament, turning in a stunning performance with a career-high 43 points against Douglas Freeman on Friday night at the Larry Parpart Pavilion.
The 6-foot-8 junior point guard, known for his penetration ability and smooth shooting, made 13 of 22 attempts, including 7 of 12 from behind the arc, while converting 10 of 13 shots. free throws. However, make no mistake, this is not an effort. “Honestly, I didn’t notice that he scored 43 points because he didn’t force anyone. He played in perfect harmony with our game plan along with Tai Bowler, who added 19 points,” said veteran Chiefs coach RJ Spelsberg.
To begin with, the Chiefs wasted no time in breaking down Freeman’s defense. Dekari Riley opened the scoring by scoring the first three baskets before Cooper took over, ending the first quarter with an impressive 14-11 advantage after hitting a mix of inside and long-range shots. range shot.
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Cooper’s scoring deluge didn’t stop there, contributing 15 points each in the second and third quarters, even after a short rest due to a minor injury. “Once I got into that rhythm, I felt almost unstoppable. I just knew I had to take advantage of that momentum in the second half,” Cooper commented.
Despite the Mavericks’ attempts to contain Cooper’s offensive attack with a variety of defensive tactics – including all-court pressing and man-to-man defense – nothing could neutralize the his prolific realism. “I thrive against aggressive defenses like that.
At halftime, Monacan held a 33-27 lead and quickly extended its advantage to 46-36 midway through the third quarter. As Cooper rested, Freeman made a comeback, narrowing the gap to just five points before Cooper returned to the field and quickly added seven points to help the Chiefs maintain a comfortable lead heading into the final quarter.
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However, the Mavericks weren’t ready to give up, with both teams trading blows as tension rose in the packed house. “Our team’s competitive spirit only gets stronger in close games. If we can find our rhythm on offense, we can adapt to any defensive scheme that presents itself,” said Cooper.
As the Mavericks tried to close the gap, the strong defense of the Monacan team did not falter, effectively stopping Freeman’s scoring chances and maintaining a more than ten-point advantage the rest of the way. part of the game. Bowler praised the team’s effort, saying, “Our defense was top notch. We probably had to box out a little bit, but our energy and communication was top notch, forcing them to take difficult shots.
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In the end, Monacan finished with a 25-of-55 shooting percentage, recorded 13 assists and 12 steals, while Freeman made just 19 of 59 shots, despite having a 41-32 rebounding advantage in the lead. Blanchard with 17 points, while Bobby Fishburne added 13 points.
Speaking about his team’s determination, Coach Spelsberg concluded: “These young men are determined to win. Their commitment and willingness to dive for loose balls creates an incredible culture of hard work in around the team. Let’s do something special here.”