Cooper edges Waconia to earn chance at defending state title

Andrea Tribble drives the lane scoring two of her game-high 21 points. Cooper fights back from a three point deficit at half time to capture the Class 3A, Section 6 title over Waconia. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

As a senior captain and point guard for defending Class 3A champion Cooper, Aja Wheeler knows she has to provide leadership.

She also knows her duties extend beyond that. Her experience means she’s the person the Hawks want with the ball in her hands when the game — or the season — is on the line.

Photo Gallery: Robbinsdale Cooper vs. Waconia

“I’ve always been a good leader, but as a captain I know it’s my responsibility to take charge and be able to finish the game off,” Wheeler said.

With Cooper trailing by a point Thursday in the Section 6 championship and the clock winding down, Wheeler drove around her defender and banked in a running layup with 11 seconds left to lift the Hawks to a 52-51 victory over Waconia and send them back to the state tournament.

The No. 7-ranked Hawks (20-8) struggled to make perimeter shots for much of the game after jumping out to a 13-4 lead. Waconia took its first lead at 22-20 on Sydni Olson’s basket with 2:32 left in the first half and led by as many as six points late in the second half at Chanhassen High School.

Wheeler responded with three consecutive baskets that sparked an 8-0 run and put the Hawks in front 47-45 with 5:12 to go.

Wheeler finished with 20 points. Teammate Andrea Tribble scored a game-high 21, with the final three putting the Hawks in front 50-49. Audrey Swanson’s steal and layup with 1:22 left put Waconia (21-8) back in front until Wheeler’s game-winner.

Coming off last season where they won 22 consecutive games to capture the 3A title, the Hawks started this season 1-5 against a more challenging lineup of non-conference opponents. They will take a 20-8 mark into next week’s state tournament.

“We have lots of talent, but not as much experience this year,” Cooper coach Kiara Buford said. “Getting through our tough nonconference schedule and close games like this should have us ready for the tournament.”

MATT STEICHEN

First report

Aja Wheeler’s driving lay-up with 11 seconds left sent defending Class 3A champion Cooper back to the state tournament with a 52-51 victory over Waconia on Thursday in the Section 6 championship.

The seventh-ranked Hawks trailed the Wildcats by as many as six points late in the second half at Chanhassen High School, and still trailed by a point until Wheeler’s basket.

Wheeler finished with 20 points. Teammate Andrea Tribble added 21 points, capped by a three-pointer that put the Hawks in front 50-49 with 2:45 to go.

Cooper pushed the tempo early as it charged to a 13-4 lead in the first six minutes.

However, as the pace of the game slowed down, Waconia’s defense packed into the paint and the Hawks failed to take advantage. They made just two of 15 shots from beyond the 3-point line in the half as Waconia climbed back into the game.

Sydni Olson’s driving circus shot with 2:32 left in the half gave the Wildcats their first lead at 22-20.

Check back later for more on the game.

Tess Johnson (11) drives the lane past Aja Wheeler (2). Johnson tallied a team-high 11 points in Waconia's 52-51 loss to Cooper at Chanhassen High School. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine