ROGERS — First-year Rogers High basketball coach Wayne Herren has brought a new style of basketball to the Mounties program and the players seem to be adjusting fine.
Rogers scored 85 points against Gentry last week in a benefit game as the Mounties debuted their up tempo offense. Herren, who came from Maumelle, replaced Marty Barnes, who retired last year after guiding the Mounties to seven straight Class 7A state tournament appearances.
“It’s just getting the kids to buy into a new system,” Herren said. “The kids are adjusting to a new system and a new style of play. One of the first things we had to get past was our conditioning. We have to get in good enough condition to be able to run up and down the court. The kids seem to be enjoying it, and they like the freedom to be able to create.
“People think all we are going to do is run and throw the ball up. But there is a method to our madness. We want to push and get as many early opportunities as we can.”
Herren said Rogers will be equally aggressive on defense.
“The press is not just to create turnovers, it’s also to speed up the game,” Herren said. “We want to play at a faster tempo. We will press when that matchup is advantageous to us.”
Rogers was hit hard by graduation and senior point guard Keifer Holt is the most experienced player after starting 23 games last season. Holt averaged five points two assists a game. Junior guard Hunter Hill played in 23 games last season and is the team’s best perimeter shooter and averaged three points a game last season.
Xavier Smith (5-6), Reed Hill (5-11), Bradley Quillen (6-0) and TY Galyean (5-10) will also see time at point guard.
“The one strength of this team will be at guard,” Herren said. “We won’t have a set starting five, it will vary depending on practice.”
Zach Street (6-2), Zach Jones (6-4), Brett Gentz (6-3), Joe Adams (6-5) and Jake Killingsworth (6-3) will provide an inside presence for the Mounties. Killingsworth is a freshman. Adams has been plagued by shoulder issues over the past two years and Herren brought up Killingsworth for added depth.
“One of our challenges this year is going to be post players,” Herren said. “We are going to have to have guys that play two ways. Zach Street is really a guard but he is going to have to play in the paint some. We can’t afford to lose anybody in the post. Brett played really well in the benefit game. When the light came on, he went to work.”
Rogers High Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Nov. 17 Pea Ridge 4 p.m.
Nov. 19 Subiaco Academy 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 24-Dec. 1 Republic, Mo. Tournament TBD
Dec. 6-8 Arvest Hoop Fest TBD
Dec. 11 Conway 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 Mountain Home 6 p.m.
Dec. 27-29 Rolla, Mo. Tournament TBD
Jan. 4 at Springdale High* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 Siloam Springs* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 Fayetteville* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 at Bentonville* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Van Buren* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 at Rogers Heritage* 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Springdale Har-Ber* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Springdale High* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 at Siloam Springs 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 at Fayetteville* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 Bentonville* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 at Van Buren* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 Rogers Heritage* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 Springdale Har-Ber* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 7A State Tournament@Fayetteville TBD