Waubonsie Valley can't overcome Oswego
Jenelle Rogers has a double luxury on the court. Everywhere she looks the Oswego junior sees a mirror image of sorts.
Her fraternal twin sister, Jennah Rogers, is a skilled rebounder and defensive presence who helps the Panthers lock down the interior. At the top of the attack, Jenelle Rogers has the thrill of playing with a fantastic point guard in junior Angelina Schlinger.
The Rogers' sisters formed a devastating interior presence tying Waubonsie Valley's offense into knots with their shot blocking and rebounding prowess. Jenelle Rogers and Schlinger showed a great rapport at the offensive end.
Jenelle Rogers scored 20 of her personal-high 27 points in the second half and added 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and Schlinger added 15 points, 4 assists and 4 steals in the Panthers' 56-47 nonconference victory over the Warriors on Thursday night in Aurora.
Jenelle Rogers put the game out reach with a 9-point fourth quarter. She demonstrated an array of drop steps, power moves and aggressive low post play in establishing a personal high. Oswego also defeated Waubonsie Valley at the Warriors' Thanksgiving tournament.
"I am just working on playing hard and driving to the rim," Jenelle Rogers said. "I don't think the win was about me. The whole team played well, even people who weren't scoring."
Jennah Rogers was held scoreless from the field. She compensated with a remarkable 15 rebounds and 2 blocked shots for the Panthers (9-3).
"I am mostly just trying to protect the rim," Jennah Rogers said. "I don't really care about how many points I score. I focus on the team effort and play my part."
With their length and physical style, the sisters make a formidable duo.
"I love playing with her," Jennah Rogers said. "I feed off her energy and she feeds off of mine."
Oswego also handled Waubonsie Valley at the Warriors' Thanksgiving tournament.
Sophomore sharpshooter Lauren McKnight came off to bench to score 12 of her team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Warriors (5-7).
Behind the early dynamic play of Jenelle Rogers and Schlinger, Oswego bolted out to a 12-1 lead five minutes into the game. Seven second quarter turnovers yielded a long scoring drought that enabled Waubonsie Valley.
Through the first three quarters, only Jenelle Rogers, Schlinger and Julia Henrickson scored for the Panthers. Jenelle Rogers recorded back-to-back three-point plays in the third quarter during an 8-0 run that pushed Oswego's 2-point halftime lead to a 34-22 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Schlinger also had a three-point play.
"I definitely like driving to the basket," she said. "I'm a point guard, and I feel like I have to drop it down to the post and sometimes I will shoot."
Oswego led by as 14 points in the fourth quarter. Megan Harrison scored nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter for the Warriors.
"We weren't on the same page at the start," McKnight said. "We said we were going to do some things, and we called time out and talked about it. We played hard, and you saw what we are capable of in the fourth quarter. Personally, I felt like I forced some shots and I could have done some more out there."