Story posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Rogowski Leads Charge Into Final 4
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal Sports
Trailing early in the fourth quarter of Monday's Class 4A Streamwood supersectional, Hersey girls basketball standout Megan Rogowski said she was simply looking at coach Mary Fendley to call the right plays.
Fendley knew exactly what to do.
"When it was close at the end, we said lets get the ball in Megan's hands," she said.
All Rogowski did was score 13 of her game-high 29 points and drain 7-of-7 free throws in the final period to lead a thrilling 60-54 comeback win over previously undefeated Geneva.
The huge pack of Hersey fans counted down the final seconds and the celebration began. The Huskies will now play defending 4A state champ Bolingbrook in Friday's 6:30 p.m. state semi-final at Illinois State's Redbird Arena.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," Rogowski said. "It's something you always dream about."
"This is the biggest win of my career so far," senior Maddie Swan, who added 15 points, ten rebounds and five blocks, said. "It's an unbelievable feeling."
The Huskies couldn't have been feeling so well early in the fourth quarter however as Geneva appeared to have the momentum.
Hersey led much of the first half but Geneva rallied back behind Kat Yelle (17 points) and Ashley Santos (16).
The Vikings led by two entering the final period and quickly extended the lead to five when forward Lauren Wicinski hit a short jumper to make it 44-39.
Fendley reminded the girls that they had come back to win late plenty times before this season, including in the sectional semifinal against Libertyville.
"We've been here before," Fendley said. "We can score in bunches."
Julia Fredian quickly attacked the basket, got fouled and drained her two free throws. Less than a minute later, Rogowski drove the middle, got fouled and hit her basket. The 3-point play tied the game at 44-44 with just under six minutes to play.
Geneva scored to take a brief lead but Hersey would follow with a game-clinching 8-0 run.
"We kept our composure. There were no negative thoughts," Swan said of the comeback. "We got the momentum back and pushed on from there."
Rogowski found Swan down low for a lay-up to tie the game and Kathryn Korff (ten rebounds) gave the Huskies a lead they wouldn't relinquish with a big offensive rebound and put-back.
Swan got the crowd excited with a big block on defense and Rogowski followed with back-to-back mid-range jumpers to give Hersey a more comfortable 52-46 lead.
The junior standout would add six free throws in the final minutes to seal victory and a trip downstate.
The massive Orange Crush student section poured onto the court after the trophy presentation and the team took pictures with their faithful fans.
"This year the seniors really stepped up and supported us so well," Rogowski said of their usual large pack of orange-clad backers. "That really helps us get the momentum going."
And Rogowski and the Huskies can expect plenty more orange inside Redbird Arena Friday and Saturday.
A Friday win against Bolingbrook would put Hersey in the state championship game at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. A loss would drop them to the third place game at 6:30 p.m.
"I don't even know what to say," a smiling Swan said after the game.
But Hersey has already said plenty with their play on the court. With just two more wins, the Huskies can say they are state champions.
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