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Rogers rallies Lake Park past St. Charles North

St. Charles North's bid for back-to-back DuKane Conference upsets got derailed Saturday by Lake Park senior Darrione Rogers - who set another milestone in the process.

Coming off a victory at Geneva and taking a 4-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Lancers, St. Charles North had Lake Park right where it wanted. But Rogers lived at the free-throw line in the final quarter, sinking 11 of 12, and moved into second place on the school's all-time scoring list in a 53-46 victory.

With her team down 42-38 and six minutes to go, Rogers scored 13 of Lake Park's final 15 points - and the only two she didn't came when Rogers drove and dished to Sara Balli for a lay-in that broke a 46-46 tie with a minute to go.

"D came up clutch at the end as she always does," Lancers coach Brian Rupp said.

Rogers made 17 of 21 free throws to score 26 points even though she struggled from the field. She also had 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

"If my shot doesn't fall I try to do some other things whether it is get my teammates involved or rebounding or getting to the free-throw line," Rogers said. "Anything I can do to help my team win."

The DePaul recruit now has 1,926 career points, passing Kelly Miller for second place at Lake Park behind only Sam Arnold (2,222).

"It's a blessing," Rogers said. "All glory goes to God, my teammates and coaching staff. I'm just blessed, and I'm still trying to keep climbing the list.

Lake Park (18-7, 9-1) maintained its 1-game lead over Geneva, but it wasn't easy.

St. Charles North (15-11, 5-5) trailed 25-19 at halftime, then scored the first 8 points of the second half capped by Launi Chanthaboury's 3-pointer to go ahead 27-25.

Chanthaboury connected on another from long range, and sophomore Erin Stack made a pair of baskets for the North Stars' biggest lead of the game at 36-31.

St. Charles North was its own worst enemy trying to hold that lead in the fourth, turning the ball over 8 times while finishing 5 for 15 at the free-throw line. Those turnovers included Rogers' steal and breakaway layup to put the Lancers up 44-42.

Chanthaboury's third 3-pointer tied the game at 46 with 2:45 to go, but she missed the front end of a 1-and-1 moments later for the lead. Rogers followed with her assist to Balli to put the Lancers ahead to stay, and Balli (6 points, 6 steals) immediately stole the ball and passed to Rogers who hit 2 more free throws for a 2-possession lead.

"We're disappointed in our execution down the stretch," North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said.

Eleanor Helm and Emma Thorne both added 8 points and combined for 15 rebounds. The Lancers' 1-3-1 defense forced 23 turnovers.

"We have really quick girls, long arms," Rupp said.

Chanthaboury (16 points, 3 steals) and Stack (13 points, 6 rebounds) paced the North Stars offensively, Emma Nawara grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, and Caroline Jakaitis played the most minutes she has this year while coming back from Graves Disease.

The University of Indianapolis recruit scored 2 points and was active defensively.

"It's been a long road back to get the strength to do some things," Tomczak said. "Today was her first extended run. Today was going well. We miss her physicality, we miss the mental side, she understands the game so well. If anything came out of today we can start relying on Caroline for extended minutes down the stretch, that would be a big positive for us."

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