LADY MOUNTIES LOOK FOR STRONG SECOND HALF

Rogers High is in exactly the same place it was a year ago, sitting at 4-3 at the midpoint of the conference season. The Lady Mounties are hoping for a much better finish this year. Rogers (12-7, 4-3 6A-West) won only one of its last seven league games and lost in the first round of the state tournament. But coach Preston Early has seen his team come along as the season has progressed. "We've been able to score the ball from multiple people or multiple ways," Early said. "We're not like all our eggs in one basket like last year. But the biggest thing I've seen is a growth in confidence in what they can do together. "I like our poise. We've developed good chemistry and enthusiasm for playing." Junior sharp-shooter Kate McConnell leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.3 points per game, followed by senior Courtney Storey at 9.8. McConnell's big contribution has been from the 3-point line, making 37.5 percent of her shots from beyond the arc (54 of 144). Storey has played multiple positions and been a key cog both offensively and defensively, Early said. "Her maturity is indicative of what we've seen out of our team," Early said. "She's taken 18 charges, and we're assigning her tough players to guard, and she's handling that job." Senior Amber Covington has given the Lady Mounties a huge lift off the bench. "She's really been an unsung hero for us," Early said. "She gives us a lift every game. She works so hard and is so unselfish. She just loves the game and has been a great example for our players." Rogers could get another lift as freshman guard Nadiyah Cates should return from a knee injury possibly this weekend, Early said. She played in only one game before being injured. "Our mission over the next four weeks is can we stay hungry and continue jockeying for position and finding ways to win some games," Early said.

LADY MOUNTIES LOOK FOR STRONG SECOND HALF

PAUL BOYD

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 2/1/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Shupe