With high ankle sprain and games against potential Division IV-AA playoff opponents looming, St. Anthony junior Kendall Cooper will be held out of this week's Mater Dei Tournament by coach James Anderson.
Cooper suffered the injury in the first half Saturday against Workman in the St. Anthony Tournament final. She'll miss this week's tournament games, including a Thursday matchup against the hosts, in hopes of returning for important nonleague games against Windward (Dec. 16) and Pasadena Poly (Dec. 17). Both teams are in Division IV-AA, and the results of those games could affect playoff seedings down the road.
The Saints (4-0) edged Workman in the final 69-59 despite playing most of the game without their star 6-3 post. Anderson compared Workman's offense to that of Paul Westhead's Loyola Marymount teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"Their pace was so fast," said Anderson. "But I thought our kids did a pretty good job of keeping up with their pace."
Cooper will miss Mater Dei Tournament
About the Bloggers
Prep Sports Editor Dave Werstine has worked in and around the greater Long Beach area covering high school sports since the mid-1980s. Dave sums up his own athletic career as a "Jack of all trades and a master of none." Whether the ball is kicked, hit or thrown, Dave enjoys being part of it. If you have game, e-mail opinions, story ideas or news tips to dave.werstine@dailybreeze.com.
David Felton is a lifelong sports fan who began covering prep athletics in 1990. He's lived and worked in Long Beach since 2000 and has developed a deep respect and appreciation for the athletic history of this community. Email him at dave.felton@dailybreeze.com.
Robert Morales began covering prep sports in the greater Long Beach area in 2007. When a local football coach asked him how he felt about reporting on preps after many years of covering boxing, auto racing and various other sports, he replied, "Hey, if I'm going to cover prep sports anywhere, I'm glad it's this area because of the level of athletics, the intensity displayed by the athletes and coaches and the support of the community." Email him at robert.morales@dailybreeze.com.
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