Spencer Cook is the key element in the Minutemen boys basketball team’s hot 12-1 start. The senior point guard leads the team in scoring, averaging over 20 points a game, and cook is also a nifty ball handler, getting to the hole with ease and not turning the ball over often. Cook also shares the ball, averaging around 4 assists per game. But, this fantastic play from Cook does not come to a surprise from anyone who knows him or has seen him play.
“Spencer has always been a fantastic player” said teammate Nick Foti ’17. “Ever since we were young he has always been the best player on the court and our go-to scorer.”
As Cook tried out for the team Freshman year, it was clear he was going to be the future of the program. Although a small, inexperienced l little freshman, Cook showed he could bang with the big boys, and earned himself the JV starting point guard job as a freshman, and saw some varsity time as well.
“That experience was a huge learning curve for me” said Cook. “It showed me there were kids a lot better than me, and it showed me that I was going to have to work hard if I wanted to be good.”
Emily Cross ’16
Work hard is exactly what Cook did. Spending almost every day of his off season shooting and hitting the gym, cook not only improved his basketball skills, but also increased his strength and endurance, giving him the ability to hang with the older guys on varsity. Going into his Sophomore season, Cook had earned a varsity spot, and a solid amount of playing time. Cook made the most of his opportunities, averaging 8 points a game. Although most sophomores might have been content with getting any playing time at all, Cook was not.
“I was happy to be on the varsity team,” said Cook “but I didn’t just want to be on the team. I wanted to have an impact on the team, and be the go-to guy.”
After the team missed the playoffs his sophomore season, cook went right back to work in the gym. Once again spending countless hours in the gym working out and working on his skills, Cook came into his Junior season as the potential go to guy for the Minutemen.
“Going into my Junior season I knew I was going to have a big role on the team” said Cook “I was excited that I was going to see a lot of playing time, and I wanted to show that all the hard work I put in during the off season was finally going to pay off.”
Cook immediately proved that all the hours in the gym had worked wonders for the up and coming star. He dominated the floor, scoring at ease and getting to the rim almost at will. Cook led the team in scoring, averaging 17 points and shooting 47 percent from the field. He also shot 72% from the line, making teams pay if they chose to foul him. Cook led the team to a .500 record, and the Minutemen earned themselves a playoff spot.
As the team went on the road against a tough Lenape team, it was evident that this would not be an easy game the underdog Minutemen. Cook stepped up and dominated the game, leading the offensive attack and playing solid defense as well. With help from Senior Guard Jerry Thompson whose last minute free throws clinched the win for the Minutemen, Cook was able to lead the Minutemen to an impressive victory. Although the team would go on to lose their next game against Cherokee, it was clear that this Minutemen team led by Cook would be back.
Returning 9 seniors, including Cook, the Minutemen were projected to be a good team this season. After Cook played on multiple all south jersey AAU teams and spent hours in the gym for yet again another off season, he was poised for a break out year. With plans of playing in college, senior year would be the time to go big or go home time for Cook. He had no plans of going home.
Cook started out the season with a 20+ game, and led the Minutemen to an easy win against Cherry Hill West. In a huge game against top five ranked Winslow, Cook really showed his dominance and skill. Cook dropped a career high 39 points, shooting 11-15 from the field, and getting to the line 17 times. Cook led the Minutemen to an impressive 67-61 victory of the tough Winslow squad.
This game seemed to spark the Minutemen, as they went on to win 7 straight, and show to everyone that they are a legit threat. Although the team suffered a loss to Eastern, they were able to bounce back and dominate their opponents, going on a 4 game winning streak. The high powered Minutemen offense has proven to be almost impossible to stop. This deadly scoring attack is led of course by no other than Spencer Cook, who is averaging over 20 points In his senior campaign, and is being recruited by Division II colleges.
Although the leader of the team, Cook insists that he is not the focus.
“It’s not about me at all. I do what I can to help the team. If me scoring two points and not shooting the ball a lot means helping this team win than that’s what I’ll do.”
As Cook leads the Minutemen into the tough part of their schedule, it willl be interesting to see what the Minutemen will do against talented teams such as Camden and Cherokee. Come out Thursday night and watch Cook and the Minutemen take on Olympic Conference Rival Cherokee, in what has the makings to be a fantastic game.