Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1045799
16 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Sunday, November 4, 2018 S PRINGDALE — Collin Cooper won't have as many duties on the basketball court as the last two years, and he believes it can make him be a more productive player this season. The senior guard, who was Fayetteville's leading scorer last season, also had to be the one mainly re- sponsible for bringing the ball up the floor against opposing defenses. That won't be the case this time. "Now we have two guards that can really help us bring the ball up the court," Cooper said. "I feel that is going to free me up a lot more and that will help me with my cardio. I won't be as tired." Those words are music to Fayetteville boys bas- ketball coach Kyle Adams' ears. Cooper will remain the go-to guy when the Bulldogs need a clutch basket, and the offense will continue to run through him whether he is the scorer or helping a teammate get some points. But a fresher Cooper will be a big plus, particularly late in the game. "The last two years, we weren't able to do that," Adams said. "What I tried to do at the end of each quarter was — if we had a break and on a defensive possession — I would get him out, sit him and let him sit through the timeout before he would get back in to start the new quarter. "This year, I think we are deeper than we were in the past. That will give him opportunities to rest more, but I know me and I know him. He doesn't want to sit, and I promise you I don't want him sitting on the bench unless he's in foul trouble. I just let him sub himself out if he's tired and he thinks he needs a minute." Will less be more? Fewer duties could mean more production for Cooper HENRY APPLE NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER COLLIN COOPER SCHOOL Fayetteville CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-2 POSITION Guard NOTABLE Was the Bulldogs' leading scorer last season and remains their biggest perimeter threat. … Averaged about 19 points per game as a junior after averaging about 8 points per game as a soph - omore. … Has been the main player to bring the ball up the court against opposing de- fenses, but that won't be the case this year. … has verbally committed to play college bas- ketball at Central Arkansas. "He just wants to win so badly that the competitiveness comes out of him. ... He's in the moment right then, and he's going to win the day and win the possession — whatever it takes." — Fayetteville boys basketball coach Kyle Adams See COOPER, Page 17 C L A S S 6 A