Rogers scores 32 in Lake Park win
Darrione Rogers isn't bothered by the big stage.
Rogers poured in 32 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 2 shots in Lake Park's 52-50 girls basketball victory against Fenwick on Monday at the Coach Kipp's Hoopfest at Willowbrook.
"I've always looked forward to playing in this tournament," the highly recruited Lancers sophomore said. "I always came and watched games, watched some of the greats play in this, so it's really cool that we got to play in this tournament on this stage. Pretty cool experience."
Lancers coach Brian Rupp never had any doubt Rogers could handle playing in this shootout.
"I saw her play in AAU in eighth grade with every Big Ten team looking at her, and she was as cool as a cucumber," Rupp said. "Stuff doesn't bother her. It just doesn't bother her. I don't have to coach her up one bit on the stage. I don't have to coach her up on the moment, I don't have to coach her up on the interview."
Rogers made 4 of 8 shots from the 3-point arc, 13 of 23 overall.
"Really I was just trying to stay aggressive, attack to the basket, make the right read and luckily I was able to get to the basket and finish the shots," Rogers said. "Got a few and-1s. Couldn't really execute at the free-throw line tonight, but it's OK. We got the win."
The free-throw line was her one weak spot, making just 2 of 6. The Lancers made just 4 of 11 at the line.
"I think she had something to prove from that first shootout we played at Lake Zurich," Rupp added. "She had a rough game that time so she wanted to come out and she let the game kind of come to her. She did a great job of it."
The first half played evenly, with 5 lead changes and 4 ties and a 24-24 score at the break.
The third quarter belonged to Lake Park. The Lancers (14-6) took their biggest lead of the game when Kinsey Tweedy opened the fourth quarter with a basket to make the score 42-29.
The Friars gradually whittled down the Lancers' lead, taking advantage of Lake Park fouls and foul trouble, making 12 of 15 free throws. Tweedy eventually fouled out, while Rogers, Vance and James each finished with four fouls.
"When we started picking it up defensively the last 40 seconds, they started turning the ball over off their foot and making the balls go out of bounds," Rogers said.
McKenzie Blaze led the Friars with 21 points, and Kate Moore added 12, who had a good look on a last-second 3-point shot but just couldn't get it to drop.
"We were trying to mark (Moore)," Rupp said. "I thought we did a really good job on (No.) 14.