Charles Cooper has responded to the double-edged sword
In his second season at Green Bay, his comfort level has increased. After all, he hadn’t been at the same school for consecutive seasons since graduating from Lew Wallace in 2013.
But there also would be increased pressure. After all, with standouts Carrington Love and Jordan Fouse graduating, the senior would be the Phoenix’s leader.
Cooper has been up to the task, topping Green Bay in scoring (14.1) and rebounding (5.4). The 6-foot-4 guard returns to the Region as the Horizon League-leading Phoenix (11-6, 5-0) play Valparaiso (14-4, 4-1) on Monday at the Athletics-Recreation Center (7 p.m., ESPN3).
After last season’s experience, Cooper isn’t “stressing out” and has been “just playing” this season. He downplayed the notion of an added burden.
“I knew this time was coming,” Cooper said. “I’ve been in this situation before. I’ve had to step up for my team.
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“It’s just what I have to do. I just want my team to be the best it can be.”
Cooper’s recent contributions have come from an unusual position. After starting every game he had played for the Phoenix, including all 36 last season, he has come off the bench all five conference games.
Cooper came off the bench for a few games his first junior college season, but recalled the last time he did consistently was in middle school.
“It’s definitely different,” he said. “It felt weird. But I’m still playing the same amount of minutes, if not more. It’s been good.”
Indeed, he’s averaging 18.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in conference play. He was named the league’s player of the week on Jan. 2, the first awarded after the start of the conference schedule.
The lineup shift stems from left knee soreness. To rest, Cooper sat out against St. Mary’s, a Division III school in Minnesota, on Dec. 22.
With two practices after Christmas, he was eased back against Cleveland State. Atop the early standings, the Phoenix have stuck with it.
“Keep it going,” Cooper said. “We’re winning, so there’s no point in changing.”
After his trajectory last season, Cooper’s success this season shouldn’t come as a surprise. Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich isn’t.
“He’s really, really good,” Lottich said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, a tremendous competitor. He drives right better than anyone in the conference. We know what he’s capable of. We’re looking forward to competing against him and I’m sure he’s looking forward to competing against us.”
After a season each at two junior colleges, Cooper made an immediate impact for Green Bay as a junior. He averaged 13.6 points, second to Love, and 5.5 rebounds, second to Fouse.
He played his best at the end of the season, as evidenced by his selection to the conference’s all-tournament team. He helped Green Bay make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996, losing to Texas A&M. The Phoenix upset the Crusaders in overtime in the league tournament semifinals and beat Wright State in the final.
Cooper made this preseason’s all-league first team.
“That means a lot,” Cooper said. “It actually surprised me. But you still have to show why you got picked.”
Cooper hopes to have a memorable showing against the Crusaders, with 20 family members and friends anticipated at the ARC.
“It’s big, but we’re going to treat it like every game — we can’t try to do extra things just because it’s Valpo,” Cooper said. “I would love to get the win, one of my last games close to home. But we can’t put a lot of pressure on ourselves.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff