BALDWIN CITY — Cooper Carr’s name already sits atop the Baldwin High School record book, but the senior guard keeps finding new ways to add to his legacy. 

Carr, who broke the Bulldogs’ all-time scoring record just before the holiday break, delivered again Friday night as Baldwin edged rival Eudora 59-56 in a dramatic home win. He scored the game-winning basket with 21 seconds remaining. 

The Baldwin senior broke the school’s all-time scoring mark on Dec. 20 in a win over Buhler, surpassing the previous record with his 1,202nd career point. The old record of 1,201 points was set by Brian Sheldon in 1992.  

Since then, Carr has pushed his total to 1,265, with three of those points proving decisive against the Cardinals. 

With Baldwin clinging to a late lead, Carr missed a floater in the lane but stayed with the play, grabbed his own rebound, scored through contact and completed the three-point play at the free-throw line to put the Bulldogs ahead for good. 

“That is just pure will,” Baldwin head coach Don Blanchat said. “That is him being a four-year starter, being around for a long time and knowing what to do in that situation. He puts the Superman cape on every once in a while, and is the hero. That is just what he did there at the end.” 

Carr finished with 19 points, scoring 17 of them in the second half as Baldwin rallied from a slim first-half deficit. He poured in 12 points in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs build a 12-point lead, while also contributing six rebounds and four assists. 

“In the first half, we just passed and we stood,” Blanchat said. “In the second half we moved more where Cooper or Leo could get the ball on the move. That allowed us to have more of an advantage.” 

Senior Leo Schoenberger added 14 points and six rebounds for Baldwin, which improved to 7-2 on the season and extended its winning streak to seven games. 

Eudora came out sharp, fueled by Sy Thomas and Cash Schneider. Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, Schneider added 14 and Julian Oatis chipped in 13 as the Cardinals held a narrow halftime lead and kept the rivalry battle tight throughout. 

“It is a huge win,” Blanchat said. “Any time you can win a rivalry game that is always fun. We knew it would be a good game. Winning a tough game like this one in front of your home crowd is always a great thing.” 

Carr’s season — and his record chase — began later than expected. He missed the first two games due to a soccer injury after helping the Bulldog soccer team to a state runner-up finish, the best in program history. Carr was a first-team all-state selection on the pitch and a prolific scorer before turning his focus fully back to basketball. 

“Coming into the season I was hurt and had to miss the first couple of games and that gave me a little bit of perspective,” Carr said. “All glory to God to be honest. He kept my head level and I knew I needed to take advantage of each and every moment that I have.” 
 

Blanchat said the decision to hold Carr out early was about the long view. 

“He probably could have played, but it was December,” Blanchat said. “If it was March, he would have played. We wanted to get him as close to 100 percent as possible.” 

During Carr’s absence, Schoenberger stepped up with big performances, scoring 26 and 29 points in those two games, while Ethan Smasal and Colton Collum also filled expanded roles. 

“That gave us other guys a chance to be that first or second option,” Blanchat said. “There will be times where Cooper is in foul trouble or not there, and other guys have to step up.” 

Carr, an all-state and all-Frontier League selection in each of his first three seasons, said moments like the one against Eudora are what he thrives on. 

“We knew it was going to be a battle till the end, but we don’t shy away from those moments,” Carr said. “It really comes down to who wants it more at the end.” 

On the final play, Carr said the decision was instinctive. 

“We drew up a play and we always have options,” he said. “If the handoff wasn’t there to Leo, I knew I had to put my head down and go get a bucket.” 

As for the scoring record, Blanchat said it’s a testament to Carr’s consistency — but not his ultimate goal. 

“He would be the first guy to tell you that he would rather have a state championship than a scoring record,” Blanchat said. “It just shows how consistent he has been. He’s one of those guys that younger kids watch and probably want to play like someday.” 

With Baldwin coming off a state tournament appearance last season, Carr’s focus remains fixed on what’s ahead. 

“A state championship is 100 percent our goal,” Carr said. “Ever since we lost in the state tournament last year, there’s a bitter taste in our mouth. We want to get back and win it all.” 

And if Friday night was any indication, Carr plans to keep adding both points — and moments — to a career that’s already one for the record books. 

Other basketball standouts:  
 

• Piper senior D.J.  Jackson eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark on Jan. 10 as the Pirates hosted Oak Park (Mo.) in the 810 Showcase. Jackson scored 30 points and had 14 rebounds in a tough loss.  
   

  

• Shawnee Mission South is off to an 8-0 start and are the only undefeated team remaining in Class 6A. Before the holiday break, the Raiders won the Carthage (Mo.) tournament with convincing wins over Joplin (74-39), Webb City (71-39) and Link Academy (81-51). They have followed that up with wins over Olathe Northwest, Lee’s Summit, Blue Valley West and Shawnee Mission West. Conor Kerrigan earned tournament MVP honors, while Drake Debaun and Ben Allen were also named to the all-tournament team. Debaun and Kerrigan are both closing in on 1,000 career points.  

• Blue Valley Northwest handed one of the top teams in Missouri its first loss of the season. The Huskies squared off with No. 2 Benton (St. Joseph) on Jan. 7, and with the game tied in the final seconds, Tommy Chapman hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to give them a 60-57 win. The Huskies are now 10-3 on the season.