5 Takeaways: Cooper vs. Dunbar
(Photo Credit to NKY Tribune)
The Traditional Bank Holiday Classic continued on today. Prep Hoops Kentucky took in a number of games throughout the day. In the winners bracket, one of the games we were able to take in was the Cooper vs. Paul L. Dunbar match-up. Cooper was coming off a big win against Covington Catholic at the King of the Bluegrass in Louisville. Dunbar has struggled, but has been in nearly every game they’ve played this season. Here we give you our 5 takeaways from the game:
1.) Don’t let Dunbar’s record full you – Now 1-6, Dunbar won the 2nd half and gave Cooper, last year’s state tournament runner-up, what they wanted and more. The Bulldogs are a young team, with only one senior, Jaquice Gray, heavily contributing. Gray is averaging 14.3 points per game. Dunbar is led in scoring by junior Michael Allen with 15 points per game. Scott Chalk is also one heck of a coach. Dunbar lost the contest 48-53. Look for them to keep improving as the year goes on.
2.) Adam Kunkel is good – Kunkel scored more points than the rest of his team combined. Scoring 32 on the day, Kunkel, a Belmont commit, continues to prove he is one of the top players in Kentucky’s 2018 class. He is currently averaging 23.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. His scoring average will go up a tad after today.
3.) Cooper’s Chris McNeil – isn’t a bad player either. McNeil scored 11 in today’s game, and is averaging about that same amount on the year. He is also shooting just under 60% from the field. McNeil could be a nice player at the D3/NAIA level.
4.) Speaking of – Dunbar’s Michael Allen, he’s another we may want to keep our eye on. As mentioned earlier, he’s averaging 15 points per game thus far in his junior season. He scored 17 today against Cooper, leading the Bulldogs.
5.) Indians on the Horizon – Both team’s next games come against a tough Madison Central Indians team out of Richmond. Cooper will move on to the next leg of the bracket and play Madison Central tomorrow in what is sure to be a must watch. Dunbar will host Madison Central in Lexington on January 2nd to kick off the New year.