PREP BASKETBALL: Maddox, Cofer pace Raiders in Senior Night sweep

Published 11:36 pm Friday, January 29, 2016

Good Hope senior Caitlin Johnson grabs for a steal during Senior Night Friday against Winston County. Johnson scored six points in the win. 

GOOD HOPE — There’s nothing like a little “High School Musical” in Matt Cofer’s headphones to get him pumped up before a game.

It did the trick on Friday night at home — to the tune of 15 points and a 55-21 Senior Night rout of visiting Winston County.

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To most, it might’ve appeared a game-opening trio of treys by Cohen White, Cofer and Kallen Sharpton set the stage for a win.

But Cofer knew better.

For the goofy junior, it was all about his unashamed appreciation for the melodies from a well-known — largely to adolescent girls — Disney Channel trilogy.

“Tonight, it’s ‘High School Musical’ for my seniors. You know what I’m sayin’?” Cofer quipped. “I mean, if I don’t listen to it, I go down in my stats. I listen to a different array of music, mostly love songs. It really touches me.”

Cofer touched the bottom of the net on four total 3-pointers, including three in the second quarter as the Raiders cruised into halftime with a 34-14 lead.

After the break, it was time for Noah Tillman to shine. The team’s lone senior first cracked the scoring column midway through the third frame and again about a minute later with a steal and layup.

Four points and a framed picture of himself in action on the court wasn’t a bad haul. Cofer enjoyed watching every bit of it.

“It was awesome, because he comes in here every day and he just works,” he said. “I’m proud for him. He deserves it.”

Eleven different Raiders contributed offensively. Blake Lyle and Sharpton nearly joined Cofer in double figures with nine and eight points, respectively. Mason Moniz was next with six points, followed by Tillman with four, White, Isaac McDonald and Jerome Reynolds with three apiece, Landon Talley with two, and Matthew Dixon and Matthew Hancock with one each.

The victory improved Good Hope to 8-16 in Chris Harris’ first season on campus.

Count Cofer as a big fan of his not-so-new-anymore coach.

“He’s like a father figure. He teaches us a lot on and off the basketball court,” he said. “I can honestly say as the season’s progressed, I get better and better every day with him — and as a team we do. He’s helped out a lot.”

The Raiders will hit the road to Holly Pond next Monday in a county clash that was originally scheduled for Tuesday.

Other score(s): Walker 71, Hanceville 43.


Varsity Girls

Good Hope 53, Winston County 22

Both seniors made an impact, and the Lady Raiders’ young talent took care of the rest in an easy win that got out of hand in the second half.

Kaylee Maddox was at her usual best with 16 points and an impressive hodgepodge of blocks, rebounds and steals. Fellow senior Caitlin Johnson came on late for six points to help activate the hot clock in the closing seconds.

Good Hope coach Michael Oldacre couldn’t be prouder of either senior, starting with Maddox, who’s already signed to play volleyball at nearby Wallace State.

“I know the (Bailey) West girl won the Bill Shelton Award, and she was deserving, but I’m telling you — this is as good a kid as it gets,” he said. “She’s a fine ball player, and you couldn’t ask for a better person. She’s been wonderful.

“I couldn’t ask for better seniors.”

That goes for Johnson, too.

“That was great to see her have a good night,” said Oldacre, adding she’s been in the varsity program for four years. “It was a good Senior Night.”

Kelly Pickett continued her hot play for Good Hope (14-12) with 10 points. More than half came in the third quarter, when the eighth-grader went off on a spree of steals and layups.

Kate Kent and Miriam Oldacre matched Johnson’s six points, Micah Oldacre added five points and Sadie Abbott converted a couple of late drives for four.

Other score(s): Walker 58, Hanceville 42.