Cooley, Coolidge capture 'chip

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Junior guard makes pressure packed free throw for Coolidge.

March 5, 2013 - The score tied at 61 and in a spread offense, Coolidge called a timeout with just 13 ticks on the clock last night. This year’s DC Interscholastic Athletic Association boy’s championship game between the Colts and arch-rival Theodore Roosevelt then had its dramatic moment, one set up in part by Coolidge holding the ball, eventually forcing Theodore Roosevelt out of its zone defense. The tension and excitement at Coolidge’s Frank Williams Activities Center was palpable.

Luckily for the Colts, junior guard Kory Cooley wasn’t tight - well at least not totally so - as he hit one of two free throws after being fouled by TR sophomore forward Anthony Whitney; there was contact, but nevertheless it could have been judged a no call. Nine seconds and a Roosevelt miss by junior forward Jabril Faulkner later, Coolidge and its fans celebrated on the court, claiming the ‘chip by being 62-61 victors.

Kory Cooley stepped up and nailed a huge free throw.

“I came through. I want to thank my teammates and God” said a happy Cooley, as he classily conducted a post game interview.

The victory almost didn’t happen, given Coolidge’s missing two front ends of one and one free throw sequences in the last 1:50, after senior guard Trayvaughn Newell canned two from the line, giving the Colts what seemed to be a solid 60-54 lead.

While the Colts were missing from the line, Roosevelt (25-3) scored on a three pointer from senior guard Mike Warren, while junior guard Johnnie Shuler added four free throws; their production and the team’s strategy of purposely fouling Coolidge created the 61 all climax.

Coolidge’s defensive plan during Roosevelt’s final possession? “Don’t let the shooters shoot” responded Cooley, “or drive. Stay on the shooters”.

Roosevelt’s shooters canned buckets all game long, with Warren (17 points) sinking two regular and three long balls. Shuler scored 16 points by sinking a bucket and a pair of three pointers, while also going 7-8 from the free throw line.

Coolidge's bench leader Vaughn Jones, got emotional after the win.

Both teams surrendered multiple fast break baskets throughout the game; apparently transition defense was at a premium. “Yeah, we didn’t get back, and needed to more” honestly shared Cooley, who also equated “starting getting back late in the fourth” to a key for victory.

David Kadiri led Coolidge (22-6) and the game with 20 points, his dramatic stick back with around two minutes on the clock being a most dramatic bucket. Newell and senior point guard Omar Roberts logged 15 and 12 points, respectively. Cooley clocked eight.

These two northwest, DC rivals could face off a fourth time this season – the Colts currently lead 2-1 – in this year’s inaugural DC State Athletic Association tournament. If both squads’ defeat quarter round opponents, they will reportedly meet for the fourth and final time at Trinity College Saturday, March 9th

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