Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks look to grow with young team

Hawks boys basketball players Rashad Vaughn, Billy Kellogg and LeRoy Taylor helped their squad to the section finals last year.

To return, they will need a young group of players around them to grow in varsity basketball experience. Vaughn, Kellogg and Taylor return as the only players on the team with varsity experience.

“We feel if we can grow in knowledge about the game and work hard in the classroom and in service of others we could improve by season end,” Hawks coach David Johnson said.

Taj Rich and Brennan Macon both graduated after helping the Hawks to a 19-10 season and section final loss to Osseo.

The Hawks opened the new season with a close loss to DeLaSalle, 64-61, in last Saturday’s Breakdown Tip-Off Classic.  Minneapolis Henry will come to Cooper on Saturday, Dec. 17, as the Hawks look for their first win of the season.

TEAMS TO WATCH

Benilde-Saint Margaret – The Red Knights had a load of talent with three Division I-bound players.

Spring Lake Park – The Panthers have lots of skill and athleticism on the offensive side of the ball.

Columbia Heights – The Hylanders return key players from last year’s state tournament team.

KEY RETURNERS

Will Dunn (Benilde-Saint Margaret) – He provides a scoring spark for the Red Knights and has signed to play at Division I Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne.

Sanjay Lumpkin (Benilde-Saint Margaret) – He plays solid defense and can give the Red Knights some offense. He will play at Northwestern (Ill.) next year.

Sean Scott (Spring Lake Park) – Scott has taken off for the Panthers with 29 points per game in the young season.

KEY LOSSES

Zach Lofton (Columbia Heights) – He led the Hylanders in scoring last season on their way to state.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Isaiah Zierden (Benilde-Saint Margaret) – The Creighton recruit can score at will for the Red Knights.