There were times when Hopkins' Vinnie Shahid looked over at the determined Cooper team battling the Royals for the Class 4A, Section 6 championship and thought, "Won't these guys go away?"

Hopkins eventually held off Cooper, defeating the Hawks 87-82 to become the first team to qualify for next week's Class 4A boys' basketball tournament. But it was not the rout many expected. Hopkins had crushed Cooper 112-74 during the regular season.

"This time of year, teams really battle hard," Shahid said. "They gave us everything they had."

Cooper, feeling bold after upsetting Wayzata in the section semifinals, took a 15-6 lead thanks to inspired play by senior Melvin Newbern Jr. Hopkins slowly battled back behind Shahid and star guard Amir Coffey and appeared to take control with a 44-36 halftime lead.

Hopkins increased its lead to 51-40 early in the second half. But Cooper rallied and took the lead, 64-62, on a three-pointer by Beijan Newbern.

But Hopkins, accustomed to playing in big games, pulled away with Coffey taking control. Cooper missed eight of 10 free throws in the second half.

"Our guys weren't used to the big stage," Cooper coach Bo Powell said. "We were focused, but they've got a kid like Coffey and he made plays for them when they needed them."

Coffey finished with 26 points, including a handful of circus drives and finishes that delighted the packed gymnasium at Osseo High School. Shahid provided an alternate offensive spark for the Royals, repeatedly blowing past Cooper defenders for layups on his way to 25 points. Melvin Newbern Jr. led the Hawks with 24 points.

Hopkins coach Ken Novak Jr. knows not every game is going to be pretty, but he was not pleased with his team's performance.

"We didn't play exceptionally well," Novak said. "That was a very physical game. We gave them too many easy baskets. We'll need to get a lot better before the state tournament."