Cookson says he's unlikely to return

COLUMBIA -- He has been called a legend many times.

Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson added to his legacy Saturday by winning his 13th state title as a head coach. His Braves team posted a 98-63 victory over Newtown-Harris in the Class 1 championship game at Mizzou Arena.

The title, which was Cookson's first since 1993, felt just as sweet as the others.

"It's just as good this time as it was back then," said Cookson, who retired in 1993, but returned to coach the Braves during the 2006-07 season after then-coach David Heeb was suspended by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Now the big question becomes whether Cookson is finished after lucky No. 13.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comScott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson talks to sophomore Otto Porter before the championship game Saturday at Mizzou Arena.

Scott County assistant coach Kenyon Wright was hired this past offseason as a Braves' assistant with the idea that he would take over as coach when Cookson retired for good.

"I've got to check out my health," Cookson said when asked if he'd return next year. "See how my health is. I really doubt if I come back as a head coach. I might come back in helping Kenyon, if you know what I mean."

Cookson was his normal humorous self after the Class 1 championship game when fielding questions in the media room. He joked when he was asked about Otto Porter's strong defensive play and Porter's four big steals.

"He should of made 10," Cookson said.

When Cookson was asked if he used his previous state title experience to give his players a special speech before the contest, the veteran coach turned to Bobby Hatchett, who was sitting to his right side.

"I forgot what I told you," Cookson said to Hatchett. "Not anything special. When you're playing a championship game, you've got to treat it as another game."

Cookson said that when he began his second stint with the Braves, he did not know he was taking over a championship-caliber team.

"You never know that until you get here and do it," Cookson said. "Because anybody can beat you. You don't think, 'Oh yeah, this can happen.' You just keep working until it does happen."

Cookson is the type of coach who demands perfection from his players. Even as his team posted routs over other schools late in the season, players said that Cookson continued to first inform them about the areas where they needed to improve and that the coach never was pleased.

The players saw a different side of Cookson after the championship game.

"Today, he was more excited and he was happy for us," senior Chris Blissett said. "He was more emotional today. He was hugging us and it felt more emotional than other games. He was telling us how he liked [coaching] us. He really didn't get mad and tell us all the mistakes and all because we don't have no more games. So he was like, 'I'm going to go home, get some rest, and I thank you guys for coming and playing.'"