The Basketball Interview…with Cooper Williams
Cooper Williams goes in depth about why basketball is special to him, and what parts of basketball he enjoys the most at Vermilion High School. At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms…
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Continue ReadingCooper Williams goes in depth about why basketball is special to him, and what parts of basketball he enjoys the most at Vermilion High School.
At your school, what is your favorite part or parts about game days in terms of the routine leading up to the game?
“At Vermillion, my favorite part of my pregame routine is our “unofficial warm-up” which usually takes place in the back gym at VHS. It’s pretty independent and laid back, but it’s also a time for everyone to get mentally and physically ready to go to battle. When the music is going and we’re getting locked in, there’s no place I would rather be.”
What makes your crowd unique? What is a memorable thing that they’ve done that you will always remember?
“Our crowd is the best in the state. Running out to a community packed into our gym is one of the best feelings in the world. They’re loud, and it’s very special to play in front of smaller kids that look up to our team and playing in front of our peers. I will always remember how packed our gym was last year during our region semifinal against Tea. We came out 25 minutes before the game, and the gym was already completely full. It’s a special place to play, and special people to play in front of.”
Who is the toughest player you can recall playing against in South Dakota basketball and why?
“Probably Ty Hoglund. A close friend, but the dude is a gamer. He’s ultra competitive and just doesn’t let his team lose. He’s got an incredible skill set, and above all, he’s got the ultimate clutch gene.”
Who is your biggest rival and what about them makes the rivalry both heated and memorable?
“In my opinion, our biggest rival is Tea Area. In my three Varsity years, we’ve played Tea six times, including three times last year. They have always been good, from my freshman year to this upcoming year. It’s always a very competitive, very intense game that always comes down to the wire. During my freshman year, they beat us in the region championship, and this past year we beat them in the region semifinal. It’s a memorable rivalry because despite all of the intense showdowns, there is a strong mutual respect for each other, and it’s always a dogfight.
Who is your favorite basketball player in the world and why?
“My favorite basketball player is probably Chris Paul. Chris Paul is the ultimate point guard, and the definition of a floor general. He is incredibly smart and savvy, and knows how to get his teammates going. Above all else, he is a terrific leader.”
What brand of gear or type of gear are you partial to?
“Honestly, I’m not very biased towards a certain brand. Because a lot of my favorite teams are Adidas, I have a lot of Adidas gear. However, I’m also a big fan of Nike gear.”
What is your favorite venue to play basketball in that you’ve played in?
“I obviously love playing in the VHS gym, but my favorite place to play that I don’t get to play in often is the Corn Palace. We played there once last year for the Hanson Classic, and it was an awesome experience.”
What court that you haven’t played on would you dream of playing on?
“There’s not a specific gym I dream of playing in, but every year my dream is playing on the court where the SD State Tournament is.
Explain the relationship varsity players have at your school with youth players?
“In Vermillion, I think we have a pretty special relationship between us Varsity guys and the younger kids. We help run basketball camps about three times a year, and each time we get to spend time with those kids and it’s a really fun time. Every game there’s always a herd of kids on the sideline, holding their hands out for high fives as we go through the layup lines. It’s a very cool relationship, and it’s something I’ll always remember about VHS.”
Best coaching advice you’ve received is what and who was it from?
“Always be the toughest player on the court.” -My Dad
Who is your basketball influence?
“My dad has always been my basketball influence. He’s coached me, rebounded for me, and helped my through my basketball career, and I’m very thankful for that.”