Cooper vs. Lloyd Memorial Predictions/Updates (9th Region Championship)

[se7ens]

@LLS10 called it. Cooper vs. Lloyd. Andy Johnson. EJ Walker. Jayden Humphrey and Anthony Blaackar also putting up big plays for the Juggernauts. Roman and Jaiden Combs, Isaac Brown and Chris Rodriguez rounding out the top five for Cooper. And of course, the coaching battle between Coach Sullivan and Coach Walker. 

This may be Coach Sullivan’s finale as the Jaguars’ head coach if they lose. It may also be Lloyd’s best chance for a regional title for the foreseeable future. 

Cooper won the first matchup 63-59 at Lloyd back on January 14th. Johnson had 30 for Cooper and Isaac Brown chipped in 10. The Jaguars went 23/30 from the free throw line. For Lloyd, Anthony Blaackar had 30 and EJ Walker had 10. They only shot 14 free throws, making 10. They went 1 for 4 from 3.

Will Johnson repeat his performance from last time? Can the Jaguars contain Walker again? Will Blaackar or somebody else step up for Lloyd? This should be an epic finale to the 9th Region Tournament.

[Hollywood23]

Sticking with Lloyd. EJ and co are on a mission to etch their names in Lloyd history. 

[Honey Badger]

2 hours ago, se7ens said:

@LLS10 called it. Cooper vs. Lloyd. Andy Johnson. EJ Walker. Jayden Humphrey and Anthony Blaackar also putting up big plays for the Juggernauts. Roman and Jaiden Combs, Isaac Brown and Chris Rodriguez rounding out the top five for Cooper. And of course, the coaching battle between Coach Sullivan and Coach Walker. 

This may be Coach Sullivan’s finale as the Jaguars’ head coach if they lose. It may also be Lloyd’s best chance for a regional title for the foreseeable future. 

Cooper won the first matchup 63-59 at Lloyd back on January 14th. Johnson had 30 for Cooper and Isaac Brown chipped in 10. The Jaguars went 23/30 from the free throw line. For Lloyd, Anthony Blaackar had 30 and EJ Walker had 10. They only shot 14 free throws, making 10. They went 1 for 4 from 3.

Will Johnson repeat his performance from last time? Can the Jaguars contain Walker again? Will Blaackar or somebody else step up for Lloyd? This should be an epic finale to the 9th Region Tournament.

I may be wrong but I am almost positive in their first match up EJ had 18 at half time and 0 in the second half. I know Blaackar had a stellar game but I'm not quite sure he had 30.

[Honey Badger]

Lloyd can really use the time from now until next Tuesday to get healthy. Sebastian looks like he is wearing a sleeping bag on his leg and they need him at his best.

[Honey Badger]

On 3/3/2025 at 4:44 PM, Honey Badger said:

I don't know why this news at Cooper is coming out now, I've heard the rumblings for a while but wanted to respect a team that was still in season and figured the news would come out as soon as their season was over. I think Sulli's team rides hard for him and wins the 9th. Not sure yet on who they will face but I am leaning towards Lloyd right now.

On 2/9/2025 at 5:05 PM, Honey Badger said:

I think Lloyds better off looking at themselves as the 3-4 with something to prove rather than sitting at the top looking down. I think they should feel confident they can beat anyone in the 9th but I hope they don't lose the grit they have had the last few weeks. I believe they have the most all around impactful player in the 9th and if they use him right he will carry them very far. I like the rankings @se7ens. I think Cooper and Cov Cath are about to be very hungry over the next few weeks. Really curious if Cov Cath can keep overcoming their size discrepancies and roster limitations or can a team wear on them when it matters, wouldn't want to be in a shootout with Mcgillis though. Wish Newport would figure out how to use them bigs more efficiently  before the 9th tourny so they could be really dangerous. The largest (by size) players from the top 4 schools are really what it's going to come down too. Can EJ Walker dominate like he is suppose to? Can Andy Johnson keep doing it all? Can Bradshaw hold down the fort by himself? Can Turner and Starks be used effienciently? 

Whelp.

Cov Cath couldn't over come their roster limitations and Bradshaw couldn't hold down the fort by himself. I'm very high on Bradshaw and I think he will come out next year wreaking havoc but he missed some give me's early on that really could have changed that game if he got going. 

Newport definitely did not figure out how to use their bigs effienciently and IMO it cost them tragically at the end on defense. I was worried about them on offense not defense is the sad part.

Andy Johnson is doing it allll!!!!! His teammates are filling in the gaps when needed and they are turning stingy defense into offense. They always look like they are in control. They look confident in the fact that they will find a way to get it done and that is a testament to their "culture". That defense is like a python, it is long and it will squeeze the life out of you. 

EJ Walker hasn't necessarily been dominating but he has been good and his workload has been heavier than anyone could ever ask for. If not for him Lloyd wouldn't have made it out the first round. His teammates are riding for him and together giving it everything they got, I would say they have been extremely "slimey". EJ looks healthy and with a week until the championship I expect him to look extra fresh and for him to show everyone in NKY what he is really about. Lloyd hasn't played their best ball in well over 2 weeks and they still have a shot for the title, that's scary. If they can pull it all together and use somewhat of a game plan on March 18th then they have a legitimate chance of punching their ticket to state.

I quoted myself above saying Cooper would win the 9th but I'm going to back track on that and wait a few days to really think this one through a little bit more.

[mcpapa]

5 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

I may be wrong but I am almost positive in their first match up EJ had 18 at half time and 0 in the second half. I know Blaackar had a stellar game but I'm not quite sure he had 30.

This stuff is out there on the Riherds scoreboard.  Blaackar 30, Walker 10. 

[Honey Badger]

3 minutes ago, mcpapa said:

This stuff is out there on the Riherds scoreboard.  Blaackar 30, Walker 10. 

I'm sure they do but they got it wrong. Blaackar had 22 and Walker had 18.

[Hollywood23]

7 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

I may be wrong but I am almost positive in their first match up EJ had 18 at half time and 0 in the second half. I know Blaackar had a stellar game but I'm not quite sure he had 30.

Against Cooper EJ had 10 but he affects the game in so many other ways than just scoring. Anthony had 30 exactly. Lloyd was winning after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter even up by more than 15. I believe 12/13 to start the 4th and the wheels fell off. 

[Honey Badger]

2 minutes ago, Hollywood23 said:

EJ had 10 but he affects the game in so many other ways than just scoring. Anthony had 30 exactly. Lloyd was winning after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter even up by more than 15. I believe 12/13 to start the 4th and the wheels fell off. 

I went to that game I know they were up four at the half. I don't know why I'm so set on that EJ had 18 at the half. I must be crazy, which is possible. I know EJ didn't score in the second half for sure. I remember Blaackar was doing his thing I just happen to be sitting right next to his uncle that night and he had some great commentary lol. Can't believe I didn't realize he had 30 either. They must have had the player points wrong on the score board.

[Adrian Woj Burner]

6 minutes ago, Hollywood23 said:

Against Cooper EJ had 10 but he affects the game in so many other ways than just scoring. Anthony had 30 exactly. Lloyd was winning after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter even up by more than 15. I believe 12/13 to start the 4th and the wheels fell off. 

Where does he impact the game? I have had the pleasure of watching him the last couple of games and to be honest, he has not impressed me as much as expected. He is an average player on defense while standing at 6'8, he should average AT LEAST 3 blocks a game. Stats might prove otherwise, but I am not sure he has recorded a block within the last two contests. 

Rebounding wise, he gets MAYBE half of what he should. There is no reason he should not had 15-20 rebounds in a game like that, or the first round matchup against Ryle. 

Offensively, he does not assert himself. He is a very skilled, strong, and capable player of scoring 30 points a night. For example, late in that game he made a move up top and bullied his way right into the paint for an and-one. Why was this the only time all game that he made a move like this? Why did he not make more happen on the post where he spent a lot of his time? To be honest,  it almost feels like the offense doesn't even run through him, which I have never seen happen with an SEC senior commit. 

[Honey Badger]

13 minutes ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

For example, late in that game he made a move up top and bullied his way right into the paint for an and-one

I was waiting all game for that. I would like to see him assert himself a whole lot more, like a whooooooole lot more. He is wayyyyy to unselfish in my opinion. And it can be said that he does what he needs to for his team to win but I think there at there best when he is forcing it, which is hardly ever. He is very very skilled he has all 3 levels and I would love too see it more. I hear coach Walker cussing him out about it too and usually that's when he will turn it on a little but I just don't think he is comfortable with being "selfish" but when your talented like that I don't think anyone thinks it's selfish. I've never heard anyone call Andy, Mcgillis, or Lorms selfish.

[Honey Badger]

14 minutes ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

To be honest,  it almost feels like the offense doesn't even run through him, which I have never seen happen with an SEC senior commit. 

Maybe I am not so crazy, because I feel the same exact way. I want to see it designed for this man child to dominate like he is capable of but it's like their trying to hide it rather than embrace it.

[Hollywood23]

Could he and should he be far more aggressive of course. To sit on this forum and ask where does he impact the game is wild. I don’t think he gets 30 plus D1 offers if this is a valid question deserving of a response so I will leave it at that. 

[Honey Badger]

22 minutes ago, Adrian Woj Burner said:

he should average AT LEAST 3 blocks a game.

Only thing I can think on the shot blocking is that they are afraid for him to get into foul trouble because they can't afford for him to come off the floor but he should be so naturally good at it that shouldn't be an issue. I have seen him pin some to the backboard though and it's beautiful when he does and he makes it look so easy.

[Adrian Woj Burner]

Just now, Hollywood23 said:

Could he and should he be far more aggressive of course. To sit on this forum and ask where does he impact the game is wild. I don’t think he gets 30 plus D1 offers if this is a valid question deserving of a response so I will leave it at that. 

It was a genuine question. Where do you think he impacts the game most? He has D1 talent and a D1 body, but I never see it utilized to its full potential in high school games.