Williamston Basketball’s Freshman Mitchell Cook Looking To The Future

Williamston’s Mitchell Cook Drives for 2 in the quarterfinals game 

Basketball season might be over for some but not for Williamston Hornet Freshman Mitchell Cook. Cook will be practicing as much as possible and be getting ready for next season as his Hornets look to go deep into the Class B basketball playoffs again. In 2016 the Hornets made it to the state semi-finals at the Breslin Center, while this past year they were defeated on a 3-point shot with only 3 seconds left in the quarterfinals.

It takes a lot of talent to be able to play on the Williamston team, coached by Class B Coach of the year Tom Lewis. There are high expectations each and every season. But Cook was able to make the team as a freshman, which says a lot about his playing ability, as well as earning a spot starting as the season went on.

Cook has been playing competitive basketball since the  4th grade. He knew he was going to make varsity on the last day of tryouts.

“It felt really good to make varsity,” Cook said. “it was great to know that all my hard work and dedication has paid off.”

Cook had an excellent freshman season as he brought an extra spark and intensity to a great team. He didn’t feel the pressure of playing against more experienced and bigger and older competition because he feels he brings a toughness to the team and some great defensive skills.

“I didn’t feel any pressure until really late in the regular season and postseason, knowing that’s when you really have to minimize your mistakes,” Cook explained. “But although the games got tougher, so did my team.”

In the semi-final game against River Rouge, Cook drove the baseline and made a great underhanded shot and was appeared to be fouled on the play but the referee strangely called a charging foul against Cook and River Rouge was able to hit a 3 point shot for the victory with almost no time left.

“That was really tough,” Cook said. “I took that loss pretty hard and so did my team. Especially the seniors because that was the last high school game ever.”

Williamston brings back another team of talent next season and the young Cook has gained much experience along with several of his teammates and they look to make another big run for the championship next season.

“I feel like next year we can go just as far if not farther,” Cook stated. “Knowing that we have a lot of great guys coming back.”

Cook is the son of Andy and Jen Cook. He has an older sister Sadie and a younger sister Sophie.

Mitchell Cooks family cheers him on

Cook drives towards the basket

Cook fights for a loose ball

Mitchell Cook on defense

Cook drives for 2

Cook goes hard to the hoop

 

Williamston Edged In Class B Quarterfinals

 

Williamston Freshman Mitchell Cook drives the lane in the first

 

The Williamston Hornets had made it to the semi-finals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing last year, but this year came up just 1 basket short ending their great season. With the game tied at 51 against the River Rouge Panthers and the clock winding down, it was the Panthers Darian Owens-White hitting a 3 point shot with what would be the go-ahead game-winning basket, edging out the Hornets 54-51.

It was a very good game right from the tip-off. River Rouge came out strong and fast but the Hornets of Williamston didn’t panic and got right back into the game when Sophomore Sean Cobb hit 2 back to back 3-pointers to cut the Panthers lead to 1 after the first.

The Hornets defense was strong in the second giving River Rouge fits and keeping the Hornets within stinging distance. With the score tied at 20, with two and a half minutes left to go in the first half, Junior Cole Kleiver hit a huge 3 -point bucket to give the Hornets their first lead of the game. In front of a huge green and white-clad crowd, the Hornets took a 27-27 tie into the half, something the 25-1 Panthers have not had to deal with all season.

After the half, the Panthers scored early and held the Hornets to just two field goals while outscoring them 13-4 over the first 7:58 of the quarter until a Kleiver layup at the buzzer made it 40-33 entering the fourth.

“I warned them at halftime and said, ‘We really need to win the first four minutes coming out,'” Williamston coach Tom Lewis said. “I just had a feeling they were going to come with a different level. A lot of seniors on the other side of the floor and they did that, we struggled to score, had some messy possessions, they hit some shots … (Owens-White) just killed us with a lot of big baskets.”

In the 4th, the Hornets defense was swarming forcing turnovers and bad shots. The Panthers started to panic as the relentless Hornets fought back and with just over a minute left Cobb drove to the basket for 2 and was fouled. He hit the free throw giving the Hornets a 51-49 lead with time running out. The Panthers were able to tie it up and with the Hornets playing for the last shot, what happened next will be talked about for quite a while.

Freshman Mitchell Cook took a pass and drove the baseline and put up a beautiful underhanded shot that went in as he was knocked hard to the floor. But instead of a Hornet lead, the possibility of a 3-point play, and quite possible certain victory was snatched away as the official called Cook for a charge, even though his defender had never established position and was not set.

It was then that Owens-White hit his 3 point shot and with only 3 seconds left, the Hornets launched a deep 3 as time expired that just missed bringing their excellent season to a very sad end.

The Hornets finish the season with a great 21-5 record. They will graduate 5 seniors but will be bringing back a bevy of young talent.  Kleiver led the Hornets with 21 points, Cobb finished with 17 and 5 rebounds and 2 big blocked shots, while Sy Barnett finished with 11 points. Cook played an outstanding defensive game with 3 steals, 5 assist, and a big shot made in the 3rd to help keep his team in the game.

River Rouge will travel to the Breslin Center in East Lansing where they will take on the 24-2 Ludington Orioles who defeated Lake Fenton tonight.

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