THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210413
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Athletes of the Week
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Give Princess Anne's Rasheda Rogers five chances to make a shot from half court and the junior guard says she can probably nail two.
But she needed only one chance and 2.1 seconds to sink the one that counted last Tuesday night when the Cavaliers upended fifth-ranked First Colonial, 74-71, in overtime.
Down by two, Rogers amazingly connected on a last-second, game-winning 3-pointer from just over half court for the Cavaliers, whose 3-2 record represent an about-face from last year's 0-20 finish.
For her efforts, Rogers has earned The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star female athlete of the week honor.
``I had a feeling we were going to win,'' she said. ``We were going to go out there, do what we had to do and leave.''
Rogers, who finished with 17 points, four steals, six rebounds and six assists, did what she had to do and a little more.
``She's been playing very well for me,'' coach Brian Miller said of Rogers, who was an honorable mention All-Beach pick as a sophomore. ``She's really a hard worker and she's really driven this year.''
Even her teammates can't help but take notice of her work ethic. They love to watch her shooting antics that have seemed to pay off.
``She likes to shoot crazy shots,'' senior captain Chessie Warren said. ``In practice she does banana rolls and shoots from half court. She takes all kinds of wild shots.''
In fact, it was Rogers' knack for out-of-the-ordinary shots that got her the ball with time running down against First Colonial.
The Cavaliers took possession after a missed Patriot shot and Warren headed down court with the ball. Rogers, only a few steps in front of Warren, called for the ball and on one leg, sent it toward the basket.
``I didn't know if I was going to get the ball, but I asked for it,'' she said. ``I wanted the ball, and I wanted to win. I thought with some luck, maybe it would go in.
``As soon as it went in I thought I had died. I didn't know what to do. It was some luck and some want. I luckily made the shot, but I wanted the game bad. It feels good (to win) because now people know they have to watch out for Princess Anne High School.''
Miller added, ``It was incredible. It was one of those things. She just took the ball and led the way. We went from euphoria to more euphoria.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Rasheda Rogers
by CNB