ROGERS — Libby Ganoung is following family tradition.
Ganoung has emerged as a key contributor for the Rogers High Lady Mounties just as her older sister Megan (2010) and older brother Jordan (2008) did for state basketball tournament teams at Rogers.
Despite being a sophomore, Ganoung is usually one of the first players off the bench and can fill almost any role. She is averaging more than four points a game over the last several weeks and that will be key for the Lady Mounties today as they face Cabot in the first round of the Class 7A State Tournament at 4 p.m. at Fayetteville’s Bulldog Arena.
“Watching my brother and sister play for Rogers was a good experience as I got to see different levels of competition,” Ganoung said. “Playing as a sophomore is a challenge, and I like to live up to challenges.”
Ganoung had a strong summer, thanks in part to advice from her sister, Meagan. She struggled early in the season but has found her rhythm as Rogers earned the No. 3 seed from the 7A/6A-West Conference to the state tourney.
“Libby has established the fact that she is a very good basketball player,” Rogers coach Preston Early said. “She has poise when she plays.”
Ganoung is a versatile player that can drive to the basket and her improvement on the free-throw line has made her an even greater offensive threat.
“Libby has turned into a utility player for us,” Early said. “What I am most proud of is that she has found a way to contribute. She has rebuilt her confidence is she is one of our most valuable subs in the rotation. We can use her in every spot.
“Libby is also a real strong defender and has been a rock for us. She does a lot of things that don’t bring you glory, but they result in wins for the team.”
Ganoung said she gets plenty of advice at home and her sister has been especially helpful. Her father also played for the Mounties in the mid 1980s.
“My sister has helped me out a lot with advice because there have been some ups and downs,” Ganoung said. “She has been through it, and she knows what I am going through. She has been there to motivate me.”
Cabot is the defending Class 7A state champions and it ousted the Lady Mounties from the 2011 state tournament. Cabot is a No. 6 seed, but Early said the Lady Panthers are capable of making another deep run at the tournament.
“Cabot still has some very good players, difference-makers, from that championship team,” Early said. “Cabot is so well coached. It’s a typical Cabot team. You are going to have to beat them, they are not going to self destruct.
“We are going to have to be sound in all phases of our game.”