Cooper, Bonner-Prendergast win Catholic League opener
What immediately jumps out about 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior Tymir Cooper on the basketball court is the fearless and creative way the Bonner-Prendergast point guard finishes around the rim.
What immediately jumps out about 5-foot-8, 155-pound senior Tymir Cooper on the basketball court is the fearless and creative way the Bonner-Prendergast point guard finishes around the rim.
How he began playing and why he keeps playing, however, might be even more compelling.
In fact, he believes basketball might be the reason he is alive today.
In Tuesday night's Catholic League opener, Cooper helped the Friars topple visiting Conwell-Egan, 69-52.
"We just wanted to come out and make a statement," said Cooper, who finished with 16 points, "because we know we are one of the best teams in the Catholic League."
The Friars (1-0) dominated the Eagles (0-1) from nearly start to finish.
Justin Gans led B-P with 17 points. Dylan Higgins added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Ajiri Johnson finished with six points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
B-P jumped out to a 20-9 advantage after the first quarter en route to a 40-27 lead at halftime.
Cooper's foray into basketball wasn't quite as quick.
The North Philadelphia native, who transferred from Parkway Center City said he didn't start playing organized basketball until he was 12.
"Where I'm from," the now 18-year-old said, "there's not a lot of basketball playing. There were fights and drugs, and I really wasn't into basketball."
Cooper called himself "a bad kid running around the projects," when he was younger.
That is until his late friend, Quahdir Devine introduced Cooper to basketball. Devine later became the city's last homicide victim of 2013.
"I think about him every day," Cooper said of Devine, who played basketball at Ben Franklin. "He's my motivation. I would give him credit for me playing basketball today."
Cooper said his mother, Renee Arthell Cooper, grew up as a family friend of the Devine's who babysat him since he was about 3 years old, he said.
At 12 years old, Cooper said he and Devine went to play basketball with Tyree Pickron, now a junior standout for Archbishop Wood.
"[Devine] said it was a way to keep me out of trouble and then I just fell in love with the sport," Cooper said. "I just wanted to stay around it."
Cooper said he is now best friends with Pickron.
Devine, however, is still in his thoughts.
After all, if not for basketball . . .
"God [only] knows," Cooper said. "I'd probably be dead or in jail."
His ballhandling skills, willingness to distribute to teammates and ability to finish around the basket with aplomb might even help him accomplish a new dream.
"I want to go play at the next level," Cooper said. "Go to school and get a degree. Then hopefully I can go pro."
Bonner-Prendie 20 20 10 19 - 69
Conwell-Egan 9 18 7 18 - 52
B-P: Christian Lane 10, Tymir Cooper 16, Justin Gans 17, Dylan Higgins 14, Steve Perretta 4, Ajiri Johnson 6, Chris Haynes 2.
C-E: Darien Simmons 17, Patrick Robinson 19, Sean Stokes 5, James Leible 3, Eric Esposito 8.
@AceCarterINQ
