Rogers progressing

Despite having one returning varsity player from last season, the Rogers High Lady Mounties basketball team is 11-9 overall and 4-3 in the 7A-West, which is good for a tie for third place.

Lady Mounties making progress

Rogers High coach Preston Early started the season with mostly a group of players who had never been through the experiences of the 7A-West Conference. Midway through the conference schedule, his team has grown up some thanks to its experiences and would be headed to the state tournament if it began today.

Senior Madison Loyd was the lone returner with varsity playing experience and she’s stepped up to be the team’s primary scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game. Juniors Courtney Storey and Ally Figenskau are next, both averaging 7.7 points per game. The 6-foot Figenskau also averages 8.5 points and 4.0 blocked shots per game.

“I’m pleased with the way we’re coming in and preparing well,” Early said. “Our margin for error is so small.But I like the way we’re competing and fighting.”

The Lady Mounties (11-9, 4-3 7A-West) are in a three-way tie for third with Van Buren and Springdale High and they finished the first round of league play with a 51-39 loss to the Lady Pointers on the road.

Storey did not play Tuesday because of the flu, but Rogers stayed close until late in the game.

“I thought we competed hard, but every quarter it seemed there were two or three mistakes whether it be ballhandling errors or something defensively where they made the play and we didn’t make the play,” Early said. “It was just like we cut it to four or five and they would do something to keep us at arm’s length.”

Early said his team’s improved defensively, but that work must continue. Offensively, the Lady Mounties must be efficient, Early said.

“When we don’t turn it over, have patience to get reversals, we get quality shots,” Early said.”Little by little they are growing and understanding.”

Rogers starts the second half of conference play by hosting Springdale Har-Ber tonight.The Lady Wildcats have won three straight and are a game behind Rogers in the standings. The Lady Mounties won the first meeting, 49-47.