Cameron Cooper goes up against King. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
WINNSBORO – Senior Cameron Cooper scored 35 points to help the Richard Winn Eagles end the season and their senior night with a hard fought tooth and nail 54-49 victory over King Academy.
Richard Winn started the game with a lot of intensity on both sides of the court. King Academy was forced into a lot of turnovers by the defensive pressure of the Eagles. Cooper hit back-to-back-to-back jumpers to give the Eagles an early 15-8 lead going into the second quarter. Despite being in the bonus the majority of the first half, the Knights of King Academy could not capitalize on their free throws to gain an advantage. Richard Winn forced six turnovers in the second quarter to end on a 6-0 run and go into halftime up 27-23.
The Eagles continued their intensity and their defensive pressure in the third, forcing the Knights of King Academy into turnovers that killed their chances on the offensive end. Cooper led the Eagles on offense as they began to finally play their best basketball of the season winning the third quarter 15-10 as the Eagles went into the final quarter with a 42-33 lead.
King Academy did not go down without a fight as they continued to battle the Eagles with a late 6-0 run to cut the Eagle lead 42-39. Cooper led a late 8-0 run to help end the chances for a Knights’ comeback. Despite cutting the lead to one, Cooper hit late free throws to end senior night with a 54-49 win.
“I’m happy for our seniors as they were able to end on a high note despite a tough season we endured,” head coach Joe Pitt said, “but our kids never quit and continued to play hard regardless of the circumstances that were presented to them.”
Cooper led all scorers with 35 points. King Academy finished with three in double figures. Richard Winn ends the year 10-11/ 1-6.
RWA: 15-12-15-12 – 54
King: 8-15-10-16 – 49
RWA: Matt Taylor 3, Cooper Swearingen 2, Hunter Gibbons 6, Rob O’Connor 2, Mitchell Gibbons 2, Cameron Cooper 35, Christian Christonson 4. King: Wyatt McDonald 3, Carlise Lang 15, Caleb Palmer 18, Duane McDonald 15.
