Ottawa holds off second-half surge from Kaneland in 45-42 win

Anthony Cooper leads Pirates with 26; Knights slice 15-point third quarter deficit to one in final minutes

February 22, 2021 at 11:02 pm CST

Ottawa's Anthony Cooper [3] drives to the hoop for two of his game-high 26 points in the third quarter of the Pirates' 45-42 Interstate Eight Conference win over Kaneland on Monday night at Kingman Gym. (Brian Hoxsey)

OTTAWA – Sometimes a high school basketball game can be like a merry-go-round in the school yard. Depending on who is making it spin around, it can be a nice and steady ride or it can be one that has you hanging on with everything you’ve got.

The Ottawa boys basketball team held what seemed like a comfortable 15-point lead over visiting Kaneland with five minutes remaining in the third quarter of Monday’s Interstate Eight Conference contest at Kingman Gym.

Brian Hoxsey

I worked for 25 years as a CNC operator and in 2005 answered an ad in The Times for a freelance sports writer position. I became a full-time sports writer/columnist for The Times in February of 2016. I enjoy researching high school athletics history, and in my spare time like to do the same, but also play video games and watch Twitch.