I first had the chance to see EllaMay Cooper when she was an 8th grade on a different program but even then you could tell that Cooper was a next level player. She was making the most of her offensive attempts, she was uncontainable with how well she could handle the ball, and she got after it defensively as well. I had a chance to see Cooper compete live a few weeks ago once again and she has progressed at a sound rate. Cooper does what needs to be done, plan and simple. She is tough to stick with when she is moving down-hill and she is always trying to get some teammate open around her. After this past weekend, Cooper received some love. Grabbing a D1 offer to continue on her career following High School. I don’t expect this to be Cooper’s last offer. She is really fun to watch and she has a well-rounded game for her position. Two things that should lead her to success as she continues to ball out.

The Regis guard always had another gear most kids haven’t, dating back to when I first watched Cooper as a seventh grader in Appleton. She changes directions as well as anyone I’ve seen, and she can get downhill whenever she wants. She’s more physical than her first season and has been more comfortable taking perimeter shots. Cooper has taken eight more than she did all of last season. Making 43% of her three attempts from the three-point line will keep defenders more honest and allow her more space off the dribble.

A transfer to Eau Claire Regis, Cooper made a name for herself last season at McDonell. Cooper helped lead her team to a State Semifinal and excelled in their semifinal against Cuba City, even though it didn’t go their way. Nobody has as quick of a first step in the state as Cooper, and I struggle to think of many kids in the past three seasons who had a faster first step. Cooper will get by anyone she wants in the Cloverbelt and be a threat to help Regis get to Resch Center this season.