Lady Mounties Run Past Van Buren

— Rogers High’s best offensive possession of the first half Friday night was the spark the Lady Mounties needed.

ROGERS HIGH 57, VAN BUREN 26

Van Buren 10 2 4 10 — 26

Rogers 15 9 13 20 — 57

Van Buren (4-11, 0-5): K. Sheppard 12, Santillana 7, Glassco 2, Outlaw 2, Smith 2, Faucher 1.

Rogers (12-6, 4-1): Strickland 22, Hawley 10, James 8, King 6, Warren 2, Trexler 2, Muirhead 2, Davis 5.

After making 8-of-24 shots to start the game against Van Buren, Rogers worked the ball around the perimeter with precision the final 13 seconds of the first half and Callie King ended the possession with a 3-pointer. King’s bucket gave Rogers a 24-12 lead and the momentum in what turned out to be a 57-26 victory.

“That basket right before halftime was big because it gave us some separation,” Rogers coach Preston Early said. “We really spaced well and I was so proud of Callie for making that shot. We have been grooming Callie for that role where we can stretch the defense. It gave us some breathing room.”

Taylor Strickland led Rogers with 22 points. Strickland had 11 points in the third period to help Rogers to a 37-16 lead going to the fourth period. Senior Hannah Hawley had one of her best games of the year with 10 points. Hawley hit both her 3-point attempts and she was 4-of-8 from the field.

Rogers has won four straight after losing four of five games.

“I felt really comfortable shooting the ball,” Hawley said. “I think the whole team was relaxed. We are playing as a team, and the scoring comes when you do that.”

Rogers jumped to a quick 10-3 lead and they took a 15-10 lead to the second period. Rogers started the second period 1-of-8 from the field but they finished the first half with a bang.

McKinzie James upped the lead to 19-12 with a layup and Cassandra Trexler followed with another layup for a 21-12 lead with just over a minute before halftime. King then drained her 3-pointer from the corner for a 24-12 halftime.

Strickland then keyed a 13-2 third period run with 11 points as the Lady Mounties pulled away.

“We found a good offense rhythm in the second half,” Early said.

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