ROGERS -- Rogers High got off a nice start thanks to the smooth shooting stroke of Kate McConnell en route to a big win in the opening round of the First National Bank of NWA Great 8 Classic.
The 5-foot-7 guard poured in a game-high 22 points and tied a school record by hitting six 3-pointers to lead the Lady Mounties to a 65-34 win over Siloam Springs on Thursday evening in King Arena.
At A Glance
First National Bank of NWA
Great 8 Classic
at King Arena, Rogers
Thursday’s Scores
Ozark, Mo. 73, Fort Smith Southside 22
Fort Smith Northside 74, Camdenton, Mo. 33
Rogers High 65, Siloam Springs 34
Rogers Heritage 48, Webb City, Mo. 30
Today’s Games
Siloam Springs vs. Fort Smith Southside, 4 p.m.
Rogers Heritage vs. Fort Smith Northside, 5:30 p.m.
Rogers High vs. Ozark, Mo. 7 p.m.
Webb City, Mo. vs. Camdenton, Mo. 8:30 p.m.
Rogers High 65, Siloam Springs 34
Siloam Springs^11^11^3^9^—^34
Rogers^17^14^13^21^—^65
Siloam Springs (1-2): Price 15, Still 10, Brown 4, Heavener 2, Harried 2, Winesburg 1.
Rogers (3-0): McConnell 22, Figenskau 10, Larkin 8, Hatch 6, Storey 5, Treadwell 4, Covington 3, Risenhoover 3, Carr 2,
Rogers (3-0) will now take on Ozark, Mo., in one semifinal at 7 p.m., while Rogers Heritage faces Fort Smith Northside at 5:30.
In other games, Rogers Heritage used a big 20-1 second-half run to claim a 48-30 win over Webb City, Mo. Lanee Knight led all scorers with 11 for Heritage (1-1). Sophomore Anna Hitt scored a game-high 18 to lead four Lady Tigers in double figures as Ozark, Mo., rolled over Fort Smith Southside 73-22.
Northside, ranked No. 16 nationally by USA Today and No. 15 by MaxPreps, rolled over Camdenton, Mo., 74-33 in a rematch of last year's tournament finals. Jersey Wolfenbarger led four Lady Bears in double figures with 14 points. Natalie Basham led the Lakers with a game-high 20.
The Lady Mounties never trailed as McConnell hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game. She did the same thing to begin the second half to push Rogers' lead to 37-22.
Rogers coach Preston Early says McConnell has the green light to fire away thanks to plenty offseason work improving her shooting touch. But her teammates look for her, too.
"I was proud of her today because I thought she played more of a complete game," Early said. "Early in the year, I thought she was pressing so hard to prove that her work had paid off.
"She picked her opportunities great and you can just see that soft touch. Several of those kids had assists to her. Passes are right there on her shoulder and she was just stroking them."
The Lady Mounties also got good work from their two post players. Ally Figenskau reached double figures with 10, but Caroline Larkin also added eight off the bench.
Siloam Springs stayed close, making 13 of 18 free throws in the first half and trailed 31-22 at halftime. Chloe Price had 11 of her team-high 15 points in the first half, while sophomore Jadyn Still added 10.
Early was pleased with way his team executed offensively and the shot clock, which is being used in the tournament, was never a factor.
"We showed a lot of poise I thought," Early said. "About three or four times when it did get single digits we handled it. Nothing trashy. I think every time it started winding down we got a post feed."
Rogers held the Lady Panthers (1-2) to only three third-quarter points and led 44-25 entering the fourth quarter.
Sports on 11/30/2018