Rogers rolls over Fort Smith Southside, claims Royal Blue division of Arvest Hoopfest

Rogers High may have still been feeling the effects from Friday's overtime win at the start of Saturday night's game against Fort Smith Southside, but the Mounties found their rhythm in the second half. Rogers used a 15-0 third-quarter run to take control and cruise to a 63-37 win over Southside in the final game of the 15th annual Arvest Hoopfest at King Arena. The Mounties (7-0) finished 3-0 in the event and claimed the Royal Blue division title and beat the Mavericks for the second time less than three weeks. Rogers coach Lamont Frazier said his team's energy level was not the same early, but it got up to the level he's accustomed to as the game wore on. "For us, it was about coming out and playing to our norm. That's the best way I can describe it," said Frazier, whose team wiped out a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and defeated Blytheville in overtime. "Last night's game was physical in its own right. To have to play the way we had to play last night and turn around and not fall into the trap of we've seen this team before. "I thought they did a good job coming out early and really waking us up. I think once we got kinda settled things became easier for us because the energy level was different." Rogers, which won the earlier meeting on Nov. 26 by 30 points, led only 29-26 at halftime. Southside's Mykale Franks then drilled a 3-pointer early in the second half to tie the game at 29, but Rogers took over from there. Sophomore Will Liddell got the Mounties' 15-0 run started with a 3-pointer and a driving layup for a 36-29 advantage. In between, he dished to Joseph Park for a layup. Drew Miller, who finished with a team-high 15 points, converted a four-point play -- nailing a long 3-pointer and adding a free throw to push the Rogers lead to 40-29. Leading 50-33 after three quarters, Rogers opened the fourth quarter with a 13-0 spurt to invoke the Arkansas Activities Association sportsmanship rule on Miller's two free throws with 4 minutes, 26 seconds left. Southside coach Stewart Adams said his team played well in the first half in many aspects, but the Mavericks' lack of depth showed in the second half. "I thought we executed on offense better," Adams said. "We've got to develop depth, and I think after three days in a tournament you wear down. But Rogers has a really good team. "We struggled offensively in the second half, and they put the clamps down. That's where we've got to meet that challenge defensively." In addition to Miller's 15 points, Derek Hobbs added 11, Lidell 10 and Elliot Paschal nine for Rogers. Elijah York led Southside (3-6) with 15 points, all in the first half. Franks added nine.

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ROGERS ROLLS OVER FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE, CLAIMS ROYAL BLUE DIVISION OF ARVEST HOOPFEST

PAUL BOYD

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 12/15/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Goff