Ep 16. The Ringer

The Ringer is the sixteenth episode of the third season of Hangin' With Mr. Cooper. The show follows former NBA player Mark Cooper (played by Mark Curry) as he transitions into life as a high school teacher and basketball coach.

In this episode, Cooper is excited for the upcoming basketball game against rival school Crossroads High. However, he becomes suspicious when he notices that the Crossroads team seems to be unnaturally good in practice. His suspicions are confirmed when he discovers that Crossroads has recruited a ringer, a student from another school who is an extremely talented basketball player.

Cooper decides to take matters into his own hands and sets out to find a ringer of his own. He encounters a few missteps along the way, including accidentally recruiting a girl who turns out to not be very good at basketball. However, he eventually finds the perfect candidate in a student named Damon (played by Dwayne Adway).

As the game approaches, Cooper must decide whether or not to use Damon as his own ringer. He struggles with the ethics of cheating to win, and ultimately decides to play fair. During the game, Cooper's team falls behind but they refuse to give up. In the end, they manage to pull off an impressive come-from-behind victory without resorting to cheating.

The Ringer touches on themes of sportsmanship and the importance of playing fair. It also highlights the pressure that coaches can feel to win, especially when facing a talented opponent. The episode is an enjoyable and lighthearted entry in the series, showcasing the humor and heart that made Hangin' With Mr. Cooper a fan favorite.