COOPER 69, HOLY FAMILY 36
#3AAA Cooper forced 36 turnovers and got to the rim swiftly to
secure their win over host Holy Family on Monday. The turnovers the Hawks created translated into 37 more field goal attempts than the Fire. The full court pressure and active hands made it seem like the Hawks were everywhere. That pressure also led to fouls which put the Fire at the free throw line. HF had a huge advantage with free throw attempts with 15 more, but could not capitalize on the advantage. Cooper actually made more free throws despite only shooting eight. The Hawks cashed in six times, HF only five. Cooper danced with three starters with four fouls.
As for shot location, Cooper put their foot on the accelerator for 16 points in transition. HF did not score any points in that manner. Cooper cashed in 24 baskets in the interior; the Fire tried to stir the embers with only seven scores. Balance was also word to describe the Hawk offense. All five starters scored seven or more points; four of them reached double digits. HF had two players score seven or more points. The HF bench did outscore Cooper’s 8-6.
HF burned their second time out around the 13 minute mark of the first half down 12-2. HF’s first three possessions were turnovers.
Hawk junior Aja Wheeler scored 16 points and is now right at 1000 points in her career in the highlight of the evening. The Cooper faithful counted down with a visible sign throughout the game. Sometimes trying to reach a mark can be more of a burden. The whole crowd was getting antsy waiting for the odometer to turn. Wheeler, playing with four fouls, scored her 1000th point came with 3:14 left to go in the contest after a steal by Jayla Reliford.
Cooper, who moved down a class this year, is now 2-0. Technically this was HF’s first loss. The Fire originally lost to DeLaSalle, but that turned into a win due to Islander roster issues. HF is now 4-1.
FYI it is now winter with the winds howling and the snow plastering the car on the way home. That contrasts to the 50s earlier in the day.
| Team | PP100 | scorer | Distributor | D stops |
| Cooper | 93.2 | Kierra Wheeler 17 | Two with 6 | Aja Wheeler 15 |
| Holy Family | 48.6 | Julia Geurs 9 | Three with 2 | Two with 7 |
TRENCH PLAYER: Aja Wheeler on reaching the 1000 point summit.