ROGERS -- A strong finish last season and the return of the team's top three scorers has Rogers High girls coach Preston Early confident the Lady Mounties can make a ninth-straight appearance at the Class 7A State Tournament.
Rogers had an up-and-down season a year ago, losing five one-possession games where the Lady Mounties shot just over 50 percent from the free throw line. But the Lady Mounties finished the regular season with three straight wins, including road victories at Rogers Heritage and Springdale Har-Ber.
Rogers High Lady Mounties
Date^Opponent^Time
Nov. 18^Farmington (Benefit Game)^6 p.m.
Nov. 20^Pea Ridge^6 p.m.
Nov. 24^at Huntsville^6 p.m.
Dec. 4-6^Great 8 Classic at Rogers^TBD
Dec. 11-13^at Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo Tournament^TBD
Dec. 20^at North Little Rock^2 p.m.
Dec. 30-Jan. 3^Siloam Springs Tournament^TBD
Jan. 9^Springdale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
Jan. 13^at Heritage*^6 p.m..
Jan. 16^Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Jan. 20^Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Jan. 23^at Bentonville*^6 p.m.
Jan. 27^at Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Jan. 30^Springdale High*^6 p.m.
Feb. 6^at Springddale Har-Ber*^6 p.m.
Feb. 10^Heritage*^6 p.m.
Feb. 13^at Fort Smith Southside*^6 p.m.
Feb. 17^at Fort Smith Northside*^6 p.m.
Feb. 20^Bentonville*^6 p.m.
Feb. 24^Fayetteville*^6 p.m.
Feb. 27^at Springdale High*^6 p.m.
*7A-West Conference Game
Rogers led Conway for nearly three periods before losing to the Class 7A state champions in the first round of the state tournament.
"It was so rewarding the way this team finished last season," Early said. "Our younger players finally grew up. We were so resilient and overcame a ton of frustration. But I think we learned so many valuable lessons. We believe that everything you go through teaches you stuff, and shapes you. It really comes down to our attitude and resolve. That's what I was most proud of. The character we developed and determination to win. It also set us up for a very productive offseason. We are better now for the struggles we went through."
Rogers returns its top three scorers from that team as seniors Libby Ganoung, Brooke Sagely and Callie King are back. Ganoung averaged 11 points and seven rebounds a game while King added 10 points a game while making 69-of-164 3-point attempts (42 percent).
Senior Tasha Repella was a starter late last season and is expected to see considerable playing time when Rogers hosts Pea Ridge Thursday in the season opener at King Arena.
"These four seniors have been amazing," Early said. "They have created a great environment for our underclassmen, on the practice floor and in the locker room. These guys have become tight, and have been giving us really positive leadership."
Ganoung brings two-years of starting experience to the team and she knows the other players will look to her for leadership.
"When things get hard in games, I know that I have to be a leader and grasp what is at stake," Ganoung said. "I have faced a lot of adversity my first two years, and that has made me a better player. Our team has a lot of potential and I know we are going to give it our best."
Juniors Samantha Brown and Amber Turner are both expected to battle for starting roles and several players from the 10-player sophomore class will see playing time, possibly in starting roles at some point.
"Our sophomore class is as deep as we have we have had since maybe 2006 or 2010," Early said. "Really skilled hard working players. They are learning and growing in the game. I just love their attitudes and energy. They are so fun to coach. This class has added tremendous chemistry, optimism and competitiveness to everything. They will help us in big ways."
Sports on 11/17/2014