Wednesday, October 22, 2008
By Pete Mollica
Vance Cooksey has high expectations for this season.
11The 6-foot standout from Chicago, who was a Class AA all-state selection, was the 38th best prospect in Illinois by one publication.
Yet things didn’t come easy for Cooksey his first season with the Penguins.
He had to sit out the 2007-08 while season working to meet the NCAA initial eligibility requirements.
Last season he played in all 30 games, starting 20.
He scored 186 points, led the team with 88 assists and had 42 steals and 68 rebounds.
Balancing all the positives were his defense and 67 turnovers.
Coming into this season Cooksey has been working hard at what he needs to improve on as the Penguins get ready to open the season Nov. 15 against Buffalo at Beeghly Center.
“I’ve got a year of experience under my belt and I now have a pretty good knowledge of just what to expect in the Horizon League,” said Cooksey.
“I know that this year I’ve got to be more of a leader on the floor, a more vocal leader.
“I’m working hard to improve my defense and anything else that I can do to help this team win games,” he added.
Cooksey has the ability to put up big numbers on the scoreboard. He scored in double figures seven times last year, including a career high 18 points against Weber State.
He also led the team in free throw shooting, making 79.7 percent.
There are a lot of new faces on the Penguins’ roster this year, but Cooksey likes their attitude.
“I really feel good about this group,” he said. “They all are working very hard and they have that need and passion out on the court.
“I really feel that this team have be competing for the league title at the end of the season,” he added. “It’s something that we as a team all believe.”
Last year Cooksey had two of his best games against big-time opponents. He scored 15 points against nationally-ranked Butler and added 13 points and a season best eight assists against Notre Dame.
He also scored 10 points in his debut against UCLA.
“If there is one thing that I’m pretty certain about is that this team is going to bring a lot of excitement to this area this season,” Cooksey said.
mollica@vindy.com