Mounties Have Familiar Situation In Rolla

— Rogers High has had a few knockdown, drag-out games with Waynesville, Mo. at the U.S. Bank-Rolla High Holiday Invitational the past four years and the two teams are on the same side of the bracket at this week’s tournament.

Rogers (9-1) opens the tournament tonight against Salem, Mo. while Waynesville (3-3) faces Warrenburg, Mo. in the first round. One of Waynesville’s three losses was a six-point decision to Ozark, Mo., which beat Fayetteville earlier this year.

While Mounties coach Marty Barnes would love another showdown with Waynesville in the semifinals, the sixth-year Rogers coach said he is only concerned with tonight’s opponent.

“Salem is always a good shooting team and they have pretty good tradition,” Barnes said.

Rogers, too, has been pretty good offensively. The Mounties’ only loss is to unbeaten Nixa, Mo. sophomore Josh Anderson is averaging 13 points a game while junior Graham Parker is adding 12 points and five rebounds a game.

Rogers has had four players lead the team in scoring this season.

“We have more people with the ability to score,” Barnes said. “(Last year), Aaron (Hawley) had to score at least 15 points for us to have a chance. There is not as much pressure on the offense this year. Offensively, we are starting to get in a groove.”

Point guard Wyatt Hively also adds a little scoring punch as the senior has scored 21 and 17 points in two recent outings. Hively is averaging eight points a game.

“(Hively) is giving us some scoring at the point guard position, which is something we haven’t had,” Barnes said. “Hively has made some improvements for us.”

Rogers has always hung its hat on its defense and this year is no different. Opponents are averaging just 34 points a game and are shooting just 21 percent from 3-point range.

“Both those percentages are better when compared to previous teams,” Barnes said.

Rogers will be without senior Casey Caton this week. Caton suffered a high-ankle sprain in early December and Barnes hopes the Mounties’ leading rebounder will be back for the Jan. 9 7A-West Conference opener.

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