I thought Kunkel was the best player in the semi-finals. I sat right behind the Cooper bench and their coach reminded me of Buzz Williams, formerly the coach at Marquette now at Va. Tech. No. 12 for Cooper (McNeil-?) played well, too. Thought the Jags got a little tired at the end as Trinity had more depth to open the 23 point lead. Cooper played a 1-3-1 most of the game with an occasional 2-3. Do they normally play so much zone? This was a high level basketball game.----at least on the offensive end.

 

The Jags normally are a man to man team but do rely on the zone when they are severely outsized. Up until 2 years ago Coach Sully hated playing any zone but last year it had its benefit in helping them win the region and make it to the state finals. A big difference this year is the personnel. Losing Hendrix, who was extremely long and athletic, and McNeil, who was a strong rebounder, changes things drastically. Sounds like it may not have made a difference last night regardless with as hot as T was shooting.

I thought Kunkel was the best player in the semi-finals. I sat right behind the Cooper bench and their coach reminded me of Buzz Williams, formerly the coach at Marquette now at Va. Tech. No. 12 for Cooper (McNeil-?) played well, too. Thought the Jags got a little tired at the end as Trinity had more depth to open the 23 point lead. Cooper played a 1-3-1 most of the game with an occasional 2-3. Do they normally play so much zone? This was a high level basketball game.----at least on the offensive end.

 

Not sure you can compete for the state championship if you have to rely on so much zone

 

Nice post by Cooper!

Not sure you can compete for the state championship if you have to rely on so much zone

 

1. Zone worked out ok last year to become state runner-up 2. Zone is not Cooper’s normal M.O.

1. Zone worked out ok last year to become state runner-up 2. Zone is not Cooper’s normal M.O.

 

You're confusing me. Did they rely on zone the majority of the time in last year's run? If so, I stand corrected

Cooper plays the best man defense I've seen over the last couple of years, and those principles make their zone coverage excellent also. Certainly worked well in tourney time last year.

 

I was surprised they didn't give man a shot vs. Trinity, if nothing else but to break up the rhythm of the shooters and force them to move and cut. Trinity's ball movement and spacing against the zone was so impressive - most of their 3's were catch-and-shoot in-rhythm looks.

 

p.s. Kunkel's ability to change speeds, with and without the ball, is very high level for a HS player. Plays with multiple gears, extremely hard to defend.

You're confusing me. Did they rely on zone the majority of the time in last year's run? If so, I stand corrected

 

Not sure what your confused about. As I said in my previous post, Cooper is traditional man to man team unless they are severely outsized. They did go to a lot of zone to win the 9th region last year and played a lot in the Sweet 16 particularly in the semi’s and finals.

Cooper plays the best man defense I've seen over the last couple of years, and those principles make their zone coverage excellent also. Certainly worked well in tourney time last year.

 

I was surprised they didn't give man a shot vs. Trinity, if nothing else but to break up the rhythm of the shooters and force them to move and cut. Trinity's ball movement and spacing against the zone was so impressive - most of their 3's were catch-and-shoot in-rhythm looks.

 

p.s. Kunkel's ability to change speeds, with and without the ball, is very high level for a HS player. Plays with multiple gears, extremely hard to defend.

 

Cooper doesn’t matchup well enough against Trinity to only play man. Not enough size.