What's Ahead For Winter Athletics
Our Varsity Winter Coaches Share Hopes For Season
GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER Season Preview
Comments from Head Coach Amber Clevenger
This year we are a young team, we will have old traditions, yet new beginnings, and I am excited and inspired by the energy and work ethic of my large freshman class. This freshman class has the ability to do great things during their time in this program and I’m looking for several of them to step up in big ways this season. –Coach Amber Clevenger
Athletes To Watch:
Senior Captain Patty Chow has come leaps and bounds from the goal keeper she was when she started in the program to who she is now. Patty is the hardest working player–she leads with her heart and has a major passion for this program, so it’s my hope that this is her best year yet!
Junior Captain Emma Grosser is a hard-working and scrappy player that has put a lot of time in during the off season to be at her very best and I feel confident that her hard work will pay off this season.
Sophomore Mikaela Camarata has been a stand-out player during the off-season. Mikaela’s overall skill has improved tremendously, and she will be a key part of this team. Even as a sophomore, Mikaela has shown leadership qualities just by her commitment to the program while also juggling club soccer and I’m eager to see her succeed this year.
Freshman Gowri Gulasingam is a player that I am eager to see step up and stand out this year. Gowri has shown great potential during preseason and I truly feel as though she has the ability to do great things for this program. I’m looking forward to seeing if she rises to the occasion.
Senior Captain Patty Chow has come leaps and bounds from the goal keeper she was when she started in the program to who she is now. Patty is the hardest working player–she leads with her heart and has a major passion for this program, so it’s my hope that this is her best year yet!
Junior Captain Emma Grosser is a hard-working and scrappy player that has put a lot of time in during the off season to be at her very best and I feel confident that her hard work will pay off this season.
Sophomore Mikaela Camarata has been a stand-out player during the off-season. Mikaela’s overall skill has improved tremendously, and she will be a key part of this team. Even as a sophomore, Mikaela has shown leadership qualities just by her commitment to the program while also juggling club soccer and I’m eager to see her succeed this year.
Freshman Gowri Gulasingam is a player that I am eager to see step up and stand out this year. Gowri has shown great potential during preseason and I truly feel as though she has the ability to do great things for this program. I’m looking forward to seeing if she rises to the occasion.
Key Match-Ups:
This year every game is going to be a hard fight–the South Zone is full of soccer talent and I expect that every game we play this season is going to be technically and tactically challenging. The games that I feel will be significantly important this year will be:
Friday, January 10th vs. St. Andrews
Saturday, January 11th vs. St. Stephen’s.
This year every game is going to be a hard fight–the South Zone is full of soccer talent and I expect that every game we play this season is going to be technically and tactically challenging. The games that I feel will be significantly important this year will be:
Friday, January 10th vs. St. Andrews
Saturday, January 11th vs. St. Stephen’s.
Season Goals & Challenges:
My goal this year is to get back to what is most important to the heart of this program, which is the overall “second family” culture that I have seen in the past. The best way to represent The John Cooper School through this program starts with leadership, responsibility and the ability to not take yourself too seriously. The main objective of this season is for each individual to leave this season better than we started and that is an all-encompassing goal.
This year we are a young team, we will have old traditions, yet new beginnings, and I am excited and inspired by the energy and work ethic of my large freshmen class. This freshman class has the ability to do great things during their time in this program and I’m looking for several of them to step up in big ways this season.
While being young and full of energy is a great thing, it can also be a challenge as there are several new faces that everyone has to connect and mesh with and that can be challenging at times. The hope is that we bond quickly and face each opponent with our best effort and a fresh perspective.
My goal this year is to get back to what is most important to the heart of this program, which is the overall “second family” culture that I have seen in the past. The best way to represent The John Cooper School through this program starts with leadership, responsibility and the ability to not take yourself too seriously. The main objective of this season is for each individual to leave this season better than we started and that is an all-encompassing goal.
This year we are a young team, we will have old traditions, yet new beginnings, and I am excited and inspired by the energy and work ethic of my large freshmen class. This freshman class has the ability to do great things during their time in this program and I’m looking for several of them to step up in big ways this season.
While being young and full of energy is a great thing, it can also be a challenge as there are several new faces that everyone has to connect and mesh with and that can be challenging at times. The hope is that we bond quickly and face each opponent with our best effort and a fresh perspective.
2018-19 Girls’ Soccer Accomplishments:
Season Record 9-8-0
SPC Record 0-6
SPC Overall Rank N/A
BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER Season Preview
Comments from Head Coach Bryan Sherman
Season Record 9-8-0
SPC Record 0-6
SPC Overall Rank N/A
BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER Season Preview
Comments from Head Coach Bryan Sherman
“We have a strong group of new players to the varsity team this season. Our biggest challenge will be seeing how quickly the group can adapt to one another, and to the speed and physicality of the varsity level. It should be an exciting season with several players having the potential to showcase their abilities.” –Coach Bryan Sherman
Athletes To Watch
Ali Zidan (junior) Ali will be playing his third year of varsity soccer with Cooper. The previous two years he played in the midfield, and this season we are asking him to move to the center of defense. Ali is very smart with the ball and is capable of playing a variety of passes out of the back to start our attack.
Nico Alvarez (senior) is in his second year on the varsity team at Cooper. Last season, Nico played a huge role down the stretch in helping the team make it to the championship, and this season he will be asked to do even more. He is taking on the role of team captain and his leadership and playing ability will be a huge asset throughout the season.
Key matchups
All games are going to be very competitive, and SPC district play is the most important part of our season. Past tradition shows that those games will to be key to our season:
• Cooper @ St John’s 1/14/2020
• Cooper @ Episcopal High School 1/24/2020
• Cooper vs Kinkaid 1/28/2018
Season Goals
• To honorably represent Cooper and continue the winning tradition
• Qualify for the end-of-season SPC tournament
• Increase our goal differential from last season (goals scored vs. goals conceded)
2018-19 Boys’ Soccer Accomplishments:
Season Record 12-7-3
SPC Record 3-3
SPC South Zone 4th place
SPC Overall Rank 2nd place
BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL Season Preview
Comments from Head Coach Matthew Wilson
Athletes To Watch
Ali Zidan (junior) Ali will be playing his third year of varsity soccer with Cooper. The previous two years he played in the midfield, and this season we are asking him to move to the center of defense. Ali is very smart with the ball and is capable of playing a variety of passes out of the back to start our attack.
Nico Alvarez (senior) is in his second year on the varsity team at Cooper. Last season, Nico played a huge role down the stretch in helping the team make it to the championship, and this season he will be asked to do even more. He is taking on the role of team captain and his leadership and playing ability will be a huge asset throughout the season.
Key matchups
All games are going to be very competitive, and SPC district play is the most important part of our season. Past tradition shows that those games will to be key to our season:
• Cooper @ St John’s 1/14/2020
• Cooper @ Episcopal High School 1/24/2020
• Cooper vs Kinkaid 1/28/2018
Season Goals
• To honorably represent Cooper and continue the winning tradition
• Qualify for the end-of-season SPC tournament
• Increase our goal differential from last season (goals scored vs. goals conceded)
2018-19 Boys’ Soccer Accomplishments:
Season Record 12-7-3
SPC Record 3-3
SPC South Zone 4th place
SPC Overall Rank 2nd place
BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL Season Preview
Comments from Head Coach Matthew Wilson
“I am extremely excited to kick off our season! Our staff and players are hungry. They are working hard in our practices. As usual, the SPC looks to be highly competitive this year. We look forward to the challenge. We’re all in!” –Coach Matthew Wilson
Athletes To Watch
Antonio Evans (senior) is ready for a standout season after posting an All-SPC campaign during his junior season. He has a tremendous ability to create for himself and others. He is explosive to the basket and finishes.
Michael Bannerman (junior) returns to JCS after spending one year in California. He brings leadership and poise to the team. A very cerebral player, he does a good job of making plays for his teammates.
Athletes To Watch
Antonio Evans (senior) is ready for a standout season after posting an All-SPC campaign during his junior season. He has a tremendous ability to create for himself and others. He is explosive to the basket and finishes.
Michael Bannerman (junior) returns to JCS after spending one year in California. He brings leadership and poise to the team. A very cerebral player, he does a good job of making plays for his teammates.
Jack Wilson (junior) provides a threat from the three-point line. He is also one of the team’s best defensive players, using his quickness and ability to anticipate the opponent’s next play.
Michael Kubera (sophomore) is poised for a break-out season. The 6’5 swingman brings a versatile skill set to the Dragons. He is a letterman who possesses a deep level of knowledge and abilities. Kyle anticipates well and you can always expect to receive a great effort from Kyle.
Gamble Reed (sophomore) is enjoying a great season with the football program. When he joins, look for Gamble to bring a powerful, aggressive mindset to our program.
Key matchups
All SPC opponents:
1/10 vs. St. Andrew’s Episcopal
1/11 vs. St. Stephen’s Episcopal
1/14 at St. John’s
1/24 at Episcopal High School
1/28 vs. Kinkaid School
1/31 at Houston Christian
2/7 vs. AWTY
All SPC opponents:
1/10 vs. St. Andrew’s Episcopal
1/11 vs. St. Stephen’s Episcopal
1/14 at St. John’s
1/24 at Episcopal High School
1/28 vs. Kinkaid School
1/31 at Houston Christian
2/7 vs. AWTY
2018-19 Boys’ Basketball Accomplishments:
Season Record • 8-16
SPC Record • 1-5
Season Record • 8-16
SPC Record • 1-5
The John Cooper School
From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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