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Hersey repeats rout of Waubonsie Valley

Tami Morice didn't need to think hard about why Hersey seems to have Waubonsie Valley's number.

“It's Megan Rogowski,” Waubonsie's senior said. “That's their secret.”

No argument there.

Rogowski had 29 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, and 11th-ranked Hersey routed No. 4 Waubonsie for the second straight year in the final of the Bill Neibch Falcon Holiday Classic, this time 58-38 on Thursday in Wheaton.

Last year Hersey beat Waubonsie 61-30 behind Rogowski's 31 points.

New year, same result and Hersey's fourth championship at Wheaton North.

“It's a good rivalry, these last two years,” Rogowski said. “After we beat them pretty big last year I knew that they'd be hunting for us in this game.”

Rogowski hit a last-second game-winner to beat Schaumburg on Tuesday, then tied a personal high with 42 points Wednesday to outlast Wheaton North in double overtime.

The DePaul recruit wasted no time leaving her mark Thursday.

Rogowski drained a pull-up jumper 15 seconds in, converted a scoop shot for a three-point play and hit two free throws to stake Hersey to a 9-0 lead.

Rogowski fed Jen Hall for a fastbreak basket and a 13-2 lead, then scored Hersey's next 14 points. She had 23 by halftime, a long 3-pointer with 2:31 left in the half giving Rogowski her 2,000th career point.

“It's almost hard to keep track of Megan's accomplishments,” said Hersey coach Mary Fendley. “I did last week check up and saw she was nearing 2,000. She just sets record after record, and she had it going right from the start tonight.”

Morice, who led Waubonsie with 16 points, drew the unenviable task of chasing Rogowski for four quarters.

“I was out of breath in the first quarter,” Morice said. “Everybody's setting screens for her, every play is for her — tough player to guard.”

Rogowski dribbled through Waubonsie's defense and flipped a runner off glass to end the first quarter up 20-10. The Warriors (13-2) drew as close as 6 on two occasions in the second quarter, both times on Morice baskets, but trailed by double figures the entire second half.

Slow starts, a recurring theme all tournament for the worn-out Warriors, who also had final exams this week, finally caught up to them.

“We were a little off,” Morice said, “but we fought our best to get through it.”

Rogowski's scoring usually makes the headlines, but her defense was just as important Thursday. Rogowski hounded Waubonsie point guard and catalyst Becky Williford to 0-for-12 shooting and 0 points. Waubonsie's 38 points matched a season low.

“I knew (Williford) was a good player and she's quick, so I kind of laid off of her,” Rogowski said. “She wasn't hitting her outside shot and I had a lot of help defense from my posts. Fendley's putting me on other team's better players this year, which is different. I used to be a horrible defender.”

Maggie Hogen added 12 points and 5 rebounds and Eileen Zydek 10 points for Hersey (11-3), making 11 of their 13 shot attempts. Tanysha Gardner-Walls had 8 points and 9 rebounds for Waubonsie

“We've had kids hit some timely shots these last few games,” Fendley said, “and Maggie hit some beautiful shots. Eileen Zydek's defense the last four games, it often goes unnoticed, but she's just so good on the ball. I'm proud of how we've evolved these last five weeks.”

Images: Hersey vs. Waubonsie Valley girls basketball

  Becky Wiliford of Waubonsie drives the ball around Megan Rogowski of Hersey. This took place during the Hersey vs. Waubonsie Valley game at the Wheaton North basketball tournament Thursday. PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Jen Hall of Hersey puts up a shot while Tanysha Gardner-Walls of Waubonsie. This took place during the Hersey vs. Waubonsie Valley game at the Wheaton North basketball tournament Thursday. PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Megan Rogowski of Hersey takes a shot. This took place at the Hersey vs. Waubonsie Valley game at the Wheaton North basketball tournament Thursday. PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.com