Every basketball coach has aspects of the game they feel are important to be successful.

For Ottawa boys basketball coach Mark Cooper, three facets at the top of that list include: rebound well, defend well and take care of the ball.

“Rebounding is something we are placing a big emphasis on so far in practices,” said Cooper, the all-time winningest boys basketball coach in program history (342-222) as he begins his 22nd season. “We are not going to be a very big team, but it’s an area that we can be competitive in if it’s important to us. We are a work in progress on the defensive end, but we’ll get there and I think we have enough ball handing to care of the ball at a high level.”

Last season the Pirates, which dealt with injuries throughout the season, finished 9-19 overall and 1-9

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