Basketball season for 2013/2014 should provide another exciting year. What should we expect from Cooper? Remember, please be constructive.

Don't know if they'll match last year's run to the regional final 4, but with Coach Sullivan and Blevins, I think anything is possible. They have McNeil and Holland (I believe) returningalong with some others, and some nice young pieces in Hathorn and Liechty. Hathorn played varsity all last year, and has a motor that doesn't quit. Big, strong kid who is nice around the rim and appears to work on his midrange game as well. Liechty played very well on varsity in the minutes he played before the varsity football players came back.

Don't know if they'll match last year's run to the regional final 4, but with Coach Sullivan and Blevins, I think anything is possible. They have McNeil and Holland (I believe) returningalong with some others, and some nice young pieces in Hathorn and Liechty. Hathorn played varsity all last year, and has a motor that doesn't quit. Big, strong kid who is nice around the rim and appears to work on his midrange game as well. Liechty played very well on varsity in the minutes he played before the varsity football players came back.

 

Agree with everything here, will be tough to match last year's great run. Morgan will be back as well to run the point and if he ever decides to shoot the ball he will help his team out tremendously. One tidbit, do not be surprised if the younger McNeil (Sean) who will be a freshman sees some varsity minutes. He's already nearly 6'1" and IMO shoots better than the older McNeil. Reports I'm getting out of their open gyms is that no one can guard him when he gets on a roll.

 

One thing for sure is that who ever is on the floor they WILL play defense for Sully or you will make your way to the bench!!

Regardless of who Cooper returns, as Mr. Sixer said, one thing you can expect out of any Cooper team is that they will play defense and get after it on that end of the floor. Coach Sully has made this a staple of his program.

 

As for returnees, Cooper will have a very good starting 5 with Morgan, McNeil, Holland, Liechty, and Hathorn. They will be a little undersized in the front court with the graduation of Big Lou and Drew Shelton, but loaded with shooters in McNeil and Holland.

 

Morgan will run the show and, IMO, is one of the most fundamentally sound pg's in the region. Kid just doesn't make mistakes at either ends. Defense is very underrated as well.

 

We all know what to expect from McNeil. He could end up leading the region in ppg. When he gets on a roll, he simply doesn't miss. I really like his ability to shoot the 3 but also take his man off the dribble.

 

I'm telling everyone right now, Spencer Holland will be MVP of this team next year. He can flat out fill it up in multiple ways. Good enough shooter to burn you from outside. Quick enough to take you off the dribble and pull up for a mid range jumper. Strong enough to back down opposing guards and use post moves to score. It wouldn't surprise me if he led the team in ppg. He will be a huge asset to Coach Sullivan next season.

 

Hathorn is just a do it all guy that constantly is in the right spot. Needs to get a little more aggressive, but I like his ability to hit that mid range jumper to bring an opposing teams' big man out on the perimeter and create lanes for McNeil and Holland to drive and get to the bucket.

 

Liechty is a bit of an unknown but from what I'm hearing, he is putting in a lot of work and improving his game. Saw him at the JV level last season and you could clearly see he was one of the best players on the floor in every game. Added strength could go a long way in helping him develop other aspects of his game.

 

The biggest question I have with Cooper is their depth. Three of these guys were coming off the bench this season which gave Sully a nice rotation to work with. I think McNair could be a solid back up PG, but after that there will be some question marks. No doubt, Coach Sully has them working in the gym, though.

 

I'd put Cooper somewhere in the 5-8 range in my preseason top 10.

I look to see a big difference on the offensive end with Cooper. I think they will be more up and down on the court. With their wings and Hathorn being pretty mobile they will look to score in transition more. I do look for a big year from Holland. As long as he plays defense he will stay on the floor.

Regardless of who Cooper returns, as Mr. Sixer said, one thing you can expect out of any Cooper team is that they will play defense and get after it on that end of the floor. Coach Sully has made this a staple of his program.

 

As for returnees, Cooper will have a very good starting 5 with Morgan, McNeil, Holland, Liechty, and Hathorn. They will be a little undersized in the front court with the graduation of Big Lou and Drew Shelton, but loaded with shooters in McNeil and Holland.

 

Morgan will run the show and, IMO, is one of the most fundamentally sound pg's in the region. Kid just doesn't make mistakes at either ends. Defense is very underrated as well.

 

We all know what to expect from McNeil. He could end up leading the region in ppg. When he gets on a roll, he simply doesn't miss. I really like his ability to shoot the 3 but also take his man off the dribble.

 

I'm telling everyone right now, Spencer Holland will be MVP of this team next year. He can flat out fill it up in multiple ways. Good enough shooter to burn you from outside. Quick enough to take you off the dribble and pull up for a mid range jumper. Strong enough to back down opposing guards and use post moves to score. It wouldn't surprise me if he led the team in ppg. He will be a huge asset to Coach Sullivan next season.

 

Hathorn is just a do it all guy that constantly is in the right spot. Needs to get a little more aggressive, but I like his ability to hit that mid range jumper to bring an opposing teams' big man out on the perimeter and create lanes for McNeil and Holland to drive and get to the bucket.

 

Liechty is a bit of an unknown but from what I'm hearing, he is putting in a lot of work and improving his game. Saw him at the JV level last season and you could clearly see he was one of the best players on the floor in every game. Added strength could go a long way in helping him develop other aspects of his game.

 

The biggest question I have with Cooper is their depth. Three of these guys were coming off the bench this season which gave Sully a nice rotation to work with. I think McNair could be a solid back up PG, but after that there will be some question marks. No doubt, Coach Sully has them working in the gym, though.

 

I'd put Cooper somewhere in the 5-8 range in my preseason top 10.

 

Liechty is working out 4-5 days per week in the weight room, and is putting in work on the court with the NKY Bulldogs and of course through the school activities. He needs to be more assertive on the floor. At times he tends to get too passive, but when he is focused on the task at hand, he can make things happen. Has solid length for a guard, decent strength and getting stronger, shoots for average most games, and has a real solid IQ. Sullivan will no doubt get the best out of him! Also, a hardworker, great kid, and coachable. He may not be under intense pressure this year with having McNeil and Holland, but he'll get his.

 

Also, agree with Holland being a team MVP. Really like his game and think he'll be a solid leader.

If McNeil could lead the region in scoring and Holland is a good enough scorer to lead the team in scoring they should have no problems scoring.

If McNeil could lead the region in scoring and Holland is a good enough scorer to lead the team in scoring they should have no problems scoring.

 

That would be a role reversal for sure.

If McNeil could lead the region in scoring and Holland is a good enough scorer to lead the team in scoring they should have no problems scoring.

 

Holland is going to surprise a lot of people this year...as shown in the Conner district tourney game, kid can drop 25 on you any given night when he gets on a roll.

I watched Cooper play Bullitt East and Montgomery County tonight. McNiel and Holland both played well. They both will take the ball to the basket.

Holland is going to surprise a lot of people this year...as shown in the Conner district tourney game, kid can drop 25 on you any given night when he gets on a roll.

 

Oh I know. I'm just pointing out that it is going to be really difficult to outscore Hatton and you said McNeil could and you also think Holland might lead the team in scoring. Obviously if that happens those two won't be close to Hatton's output. My point was they should have no problems scoring if those two play that well.

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Edited June 8, 201313 yr by Tiger1

I watched Cooper play Bullitt East and Montgomery County tonight. McNiel and Holland both played well. They both will take the ball to the basket.

 

How did MoCo look? Who looked good.

I've said before on here that McNeil's stroke looks so good I'm always stunned when it doesn't go in. Anyone know what he shot from 3 last year?

 

I'd like to see Morgan be more aggressive offensively and maybe we will this year. He can get to the rim if he wants. I saw him pass up too many good looks/chances last year.

I've said before on here that McNeil's stroke looks so good I'm always stunned when it doesn't go in. Anyone know what he shot from 3 last year?

 

I'd like to see Morgan be more aggressive offensively and maybe we will this year. He can get to the rim if he wants. I saw him pass up too many good looks/chances last year.

 

Absolutely agree about Morgan. Almost hurts his team when he doesn't shoot. Hopefully he figures it out and has a little more confidence in his offensive game.