Columbus North’s Cooper Horn shoots a layup while guarded by Mooresville’s Jaxson Nielsen, left, and Wes Reeves, right, during a basketball game at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.
The Republic file photo
When Cooper Horn entered high school, becoming a 1,000-point scorer wasn’t one of his goals.
But nearly four basketball seasons later, the Columbus North senior has reached that lofty plateau. His 28 points in Friday’s loss to Southport gave him 1,001 for his career.
“I never thought I would score 1,000 points,” Horn said. “That wasn’t really my thinking. I was just coming in trying to give the coaches all I had and do what I could for the team to win.”
That has included getting his teammates involved in the action. Horn has been a model of unselfish play over the past four years, often passing up shots to get a better look from a teammate.
“One of our mottos in the locker room is, ‘Give up a good shot for a great shot,’ and that’s kind of what I live and die by my whole career,” Horn said. “I have trust in my teammates. They have trust in me. I trust that they’re going to knock down the shots most of the time. I always know that they’re going to knock down shots and take us to victory. They play so hard on defense, why not give them the ball? They’re going to hit some shots.”
After playing in the shadow of Blake Barker, the school’s second all-time leading scorer who now is playing at Army, for two years and current Purdue player Sam King last year, Horn has emerged as the Bull Dogs’ top scoring threat this season. is averaging 17.2 points a game and also leads North with 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 streals per game.
“He’s really elevated his game,” North coach Paul Ferguson said. “He’s gone to a new level.”
Columbus North’s Cooper Horn shoots a layup against Terre Haute South at Columbus North, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022.
The Republic file photo
The 6-foot-3 Horn, who was The Republic Football Player of the Year after setting multiple school receiving records in the fall, has led the Bull Dogs to an 11-6 record this basketball season. Beginning with Saturday afternoon’s matchup at East Central, North has five more regular-season games before hosting the sectional tournament.
“He’s had a fantastic career here at Columbus North,” Ferguson said. “I’m glad he got to 1,000 points and hope there’s a lot more in the last month of the season here.”
Horn is the 11th Bull Dog — from both Columbus High School and Columbus North — to reach 1,000 points. He’s only 16 points away from moving into eighth place and just 74 points away from sixth.
Josh Speidel leads the all-time scoring list with 1,512. Barker is second at 1,388, followed by Jerry Schofield (1,356), Bill Russell (1,272), Evan Henry (1,200), Tom Arnholt (1,075), Jerry Newson (1,072), Evan Dodd (1,017), Bill McGinley (1,013) and Bobby Hayes (1,005).
“It’s definitely an achievement that not many get to achieve, and it’s special,” Horn said. “I’ve been able to play for some great coaches that put me in the right position to score. It’s really an honor. I’m super excited.”
