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Cooper headed back to Class 4A, Section 6 title game after win over Armstrong

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 03/19/21, 5:45PM CDT

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The Hawks led by 22 points at the half over the Falcons and didn't let go of the lead in the second.

Robbinsdale Cooper’s Prince Appiah (3) drives to the basket Friday night. Appiah had 17 points in a 84-57 victory over Robbinsdale Armstrong in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Robbinsdale Cooper’s Prince Appiah (3) drives to the basket Friday night. Appiah had 17 points in a 84-57 victory over Robbinsdale Armstrong in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Robbinsdale Cooper coach Bo Powell was quick to point out after Friday’s game that his team likes to play fast and make their opponents do the same.

For the limited crowd in attendance, that strategy was obvious from the moment the ball was tipped as the Hawks immediately went for turnovers, employed a full-court press on defense and were quick to get to the basket and score. Before five minutes had passed in the game, the Hawks boasted a 17-4 lead.

Eventually, that lead blossomed to more than 20 and stayed there for the rest of Friday’s contest. Cooper hardly let up and came away with an 84-57 win against Armstrong at Cooper High School in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinals. That win sends the Hawks to next week’s section final.

Powell said that throughout the year, his team has met plenty of opponents that are uncomfortable with a faster pace. Thus, his team tends to try and speed things up.

The Hawks’ Davion Evans (0) had a game high 23 points in the Hawk’s 84-57 win over the Falcons Friday night at home in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Hawks’ Davion Evans (0) had a game high 23 points in the Hawk’s 84-57 win over the Falcons Friday night at home in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

First Report

Facing nearby rival Robbinsdale Armstrong, Cooper had little issue as the second-seeded Hawks rolled past the Falcons 84-57 on Friday to advance to next week’s section final against Wayzata.

From the opening tip, Cooper (15-2, 11-1) made life tough for Armstrong on both ends of the floor. Defensively, it started with the Hawks’ full-court press, which played into the Falcons’ 17 turnovers.

Offensively, Cooper used those turnovers along with a balanced attack to build a lead that was at least 20 points most of Friday’s game. 

Junior Davion Evans was one of four Hawks in double figures on Friday. He finished with a team-best 23 points. Meanwhile, junior Prince Appiah chipped in a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. 

To round out the double-figure scoring, seniors Broderick Powell and Tyson Dallas each added 10 points.

Armstrong (12-8, 8-4) saw its season draw to a close due to its inability to keep up with high-flying Cooper. One bright spot for the Falcons was senior D’Sean Larkins. In his final high school basketball game, he scored a team-high 20 points.

The only other Armstrong player to crack the 10-point mark was freshman Seth Newbern, who finished with 13 points.

The Falcons’ D’Sean Larkins put up 20 points Friday night in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. The Falcons fell to the Hawks 84-57 at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Falcons’ D’Sean Larkins put up 20 points Friday night in the Class 4A, Section 6 semifinal. The Falcons fell to the Hawks 84-57 at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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