McEachern's Cooper makes her case for player of year
The race for girls state player of the year has been thought to be a two-guard race between Asia Durr of St. Pius and Te’a Cooper of McEachern, with Durr perhaps in the lead.
Both are among the five finalists for the national Naismith Award for girls player of the year. Each has led her team to two state championships. Durr is rated a little higher in recruiting rankings and has played a prominent role on the U.S. junior national team.
But now, Cooper is one victory from a third as she has led McEachern to the Class AAAAAA final against Norcross. That game is set for Saturday in Macon. Durr’s team made the AAAA quarterfinals, largely due to Durr, who averaged 33 points, more than half her team’s total.
Cooper had a much stronger supporting cast – at first. Caliya Robinson, who has signed with Georgia, was lost for the season in December because of an ACL injury. Starting center Zieandrea Bridges was injured in car accident.
Ranked No. 1 in preseason, McEachern struggled during its Region 4-AAAAAA schedule, losing twice to Osborne and once to Harrison. But come state-tournament time and Cooper seeminly has willed her team to victory.
After the loss of Caliya and Zieandrea, Te’a continues to push through and has gotten us here after everyone counted us out,’’ McEachern coach Phyllis Arthur said. “The girls are playing their hearts out.’’
And to be fair, Cooper's cast is still stonger than Durr's at St. Pius. Cooper’s main sidekick is junior shooting guard Jada Lewis. She averages 17 points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds.
‘’Jada is our defensive specialist that we put on all of the opponents best guard and she does an excellent job,’’ Arthur said.
Only two teams since 2000 have won three state championship in the highest classification. They are Maya Moore’s Collins Hill teams and Diamond DeShields’ Norcross teams.
Te’a Cooper’s McEachern teams can put themselves in special company in they can win one more time.
