Former Gophers and Timberwolves basketball player Richard Coffey earned his nickname “The Paratrooper” for his stint with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

So, Richard, what’s more nerve-wracking — jumping out of an airplane or watching your daughters play basketball?

“Watching my daughters, by far,” he said with a laugh, even though he was very serious as sophomore Nia and junior Syndey played for Hopkins in Saturday’s Class 4A title game vs. Eden Prairie. “This is tough. You spend all the time in the gym. And you just hope they can put it all together.”

All the drills and gym time came down to one half of basketball Saturday night. Syndey was just 1-for-10 in the first half of Saturday’s game, while Nia played just six minutes before the break because of foul trouble.

With those two neutralized, Eden Prairie was staying neck-and-neck with its rival. The teams, which faced each other three times this season (Hopkins won twice), were tied 22-22 at the break.

The second half, though, was another story — and both the Coffey sisters played a starring role. Both are ultra-athletic and have talent to spare. What stands out, though, is their basketball sense — and their nonstop motors. The next time they are spotted walking on the court will be the first. Graceful, long running strides are the norm.

They used those attributes in the final 18 minutes to send the Royals to their first state title since 2006. Sydney grabbed a rebound off a Nia miss early, leading to a trip to the free throw line. Later, Sydney missed a free throw and Nia grabbed the offensive rebound, leading to a Hopkins basket.

A corner three-pointer by Sydney gave the Royals a 37-28 edge, while Nia struck — also from the corner — for a 45-32 lead that sent the Royals well on their way to the victory. Sydney added a steal and layup, then a coast-to-coast drive and dish for a Ebony Livingston layup to further increase Hopkins’ lead. Sydney finished with a game-high 18 points — 15 coming after halftime — in the 67-45 victory. Nia had 12.

Through it all, the Paratrooper sat with a nervous smile. When Sydney missed a free throw, he buried his head in his shirt. During a timeout, closed his eyes and rubbed his hands over his weary face.

“On the court, I feel like I have some level of control. I could go grab another rebound,” Richard Coffey said. “Here, there is nothing I can do. I just close my eyes and hope for the best. That’s all a parent can do.”

With Sydney and Nia, he seems to have done pretty well — even if they know he’s watching and agonizing with their every move.

“Yes, I know it,” Nia said, laughing. “Whenever I play, I always look over at him.”

Said Sydney: “I know. He tries not to tell me. He tries to play it off.”

But now the three of them can relax and enjoy a state title. “I can’t even think of words right now,” Sydney said.