MVP Rogowski leads Hersey to crown
By Drake Skleba
Hersey's Megan Rogowski can shoot the basketball. The 5-foot-9 junior G outdid her 22 point-per-game average with 31 points, 21 of them in the first half, to lead Hersey to an easy 61-30 win over No. 9 Waubonsie Valley (12-2).The victory earned the Huskies the 2009 Neibch Holiday Tournament Championship. It was the third crown for the Mid-Suburban League East power.
Hersey (11-3), the top contender to break into Premium Preps Sweet 16 poll, put on an awesome display in a total domination of Waubonsie Valley. Needless to say, the Huskies will be a member of the exclusive Premium Preps sorority
on Monday. The win was the seventh straight for the red-hot Huskies.
Both teams battled fairly evenly early. With 3:54 left in the first half, Waubonsie Valley's 5-foot-2 sophomore G Becky Williford nailed a three-pointer that brought the Warriors within four of the Huskies at 22-18.
Hersey followed with a 12-0 run to close out the half. Rogowski nailed her fifth trey of the half, and scored seven points in the run that sent the Huskies to the locker room with a 34-18 lead.
"I had space and my shot was really on tonight," said Rogowski. "After I hit a few shots, I was able to drive for baskets as well."
Hersey put the game away with a 15-7 third quarter. Rogowski picked up eight more points, six from the free throw line. For the night she was a perfect 10-for-10 from the line.
Hersey's 6-foot senior F Maddie Swan had a terrific game with 10 points and 11 rebounds. She also contributed three blocked shots.
"This is our third title here. We won in 2002 and 2004," said Hersey head coach Mary Fendley. "Megan was unstoppable
for us tonight. Once we got seperation, we really opened the game up. Megan has been a consistant 22-point per game scorer and she did even better than that this week.
"Maddie Swan had a great game on the boards for us. She did a great job yesterday, against the big girls of Elk Grove."
Rogowski was selected the tournamet MVP. She scored 106 points in the four games, including 31 against MSL East foe Elk Grove in a 53-41 semifinal win Tuesday night.
"It's a great feeling to have won the Most Valuable Player Award," said Rogowski. "It's also terrific to have won the
championship."
No. 9 Waubonsie Valley was led by 5-foot-8 sophomore G Keiera Ray who scored a dozen points and grabbed seven rebounds.
