Tony Wielt State Farm Showcase Impact Player of the Week

Few rivalries in southern Illinois carry the intensity of Woodlawn vs. Waltonville.

Separated by just nine miles in western Jefferson County, the two Midland Trail Conference powers met Friday night, December 19, inside Woodlawn’s Sides Gymnasium. With both teams state-ranked in Class 1A and unbeaten coming in, the atmosphere matched the moment — a standing-room-only crowd of more than 800 fans packed the gym for one of the most anticipated games of the season.

In a game that lived up to the hype, senior Kyle Cooper rose to the occasion.

Cooper, who transferred to Woodlawn from Waltonville in the offseason, now plays his older brother Luke, delivered a steady and confident performance when it mattered most. With family ties adding another layer to the rivalry — including his uncle Rob Flanagan, the former Olney head coach and a one-time Waltonville assistant now on the Woodlawn staff — Cooper’s impact went beyond the stat sheet.

On the floor, he led the Cardinals with 22 points, added 4 rebounds, and went a clutch 7-for-8 from the free-throw line, helping Woodlawn secure a hard-fought 48-43 victory over their rivals.

For his leadership, poise, and performance on one of the biggest nights of the season, Kyle Cooper is this week’s Tony Wielt State Farm Showcase Impact Player of the Week.