Rogers High Rallies Past Lady Bulldogs

Friday, January 10, 2014

ROGERS -- Rogers High coach Preston Early kept telling the Lady Mounties it was only a matter of time before their shots would start to fall.

Rogers finally got the message.

The Lady Mounties used a 12-2 run over the final five minutes and Brooke Sagely and Libby Ganoung hit key free throws the final 40 seconds as the Lady Mounties stunned Springdale High 53-49 in the 7A/6A-West Conference opener for both schools.

Springdale led 47-39 with 5:08 left but Rogers (4-8, 1-0) hit four of their final six shots and Sagely put the game out of reach with two free throws with 5.1 seconds for the four-point win. Rogers was just 14-of-49 from the field before its game-winning run.

"We kept telling them in time outs that we have another run in us," Early said. "That is why you never quit. We finished like champs. We knew sooner or later that our shots would start going because we were getting good shots. Our kids battled their guts out, and I am glad they got a reward for it."

Springdale (6-6, 0-1) missed its last four shots and turned the ball over four times the final five minutes. JaVonda Daniels led Springdale with 17 points.

"The last five minutes, Rogers was the most aggressive team, said Springdale coach Heather Hunsucker. "Rogers started driving the ball to the basket, they started rebounding more. Hats off to Rogers, they played very, very good."

Cassandra Trexler and Callie King scored 12 points each for Rogers while Sagely was also in double figures with 11. Ganoung scored seven of her nine points the last five minutes, including a free throw with 19.8 seconds that gave Rogers a 51-49 lead.

"I'm so proud of the effort, and so glad that we start conference at 1-0," Early said. "It was one of those games where it was all about team."

NW News on 01/11/2014