THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602160232
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 32 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
IT MUST HAVE BEEN terrible for Rasheda Rogers. Dreading playing against top Beach District teams, dreading practice, dreading yet another loss.
The Princess Anne senior now sympathizes with struggling Beach teams. She's been there. In the past four years, Rogers has led the Cavaliers from the depths of despair and an 0-22 record three years ago to an 18-2 record (through Wednesday) and the top of the district.
She did it with the help of arguably the district's fastest offensive unit and a coach who respects his players ability to think on the court.
Although coach Darnell Dozier says she tells him of not wanting to play at times in that winless sophomore season, Rogers prefers to focus on her junior and senior seasons.
``The last two years, they've been good,'' Rogers said. ``The first two years were a struggle because I came in and didn't know it was that bad. I had to step up to the high school level. I'm not a quitter.''
Rogers and the Cavaliers climbed to 15-9, 11-7 in the Beach District her junior year. This season, the Cavaliers were in position to win the district championship with a victory over Kempsville in Friday's season finale. (A Kempsville victory would have forced a playoff between the teams Saturday.)
Rogers credits her coach with the turnaround. She credits her mother, Brenda Sawyer, with keeping her sane as the losses mounted.
``This season has been the best since three years ago when my rec league team won the championship,'' Rogers said. ``Everything's going good. We're winning, my game's improving and we've got the best coach in all my years. He looks after all of us.
``And my family. My mother, especially, has been behind me throughout the hard times and everything. She really stuck beside me.''
Dozier came to Princess Anne three years ago and took over the team this season. The New Jersey native brought a new game to town, a game that players loved and opponents generally failed to stop.
``The first time I came here, I wanted to find (Rasheda) because everybody said she was the best player on campus,'' Dozier said. ``I told her, `I'm bringing city ball here.' We run, we shoot, we have an offense that's spread all over the court. They're used to the rough, tough style of play because that's how we practice.''
Dozier instilled his players with a belief in themselves - and their ability to topple traditional Beach powers. He taught them about basketball and about respect.
Dozier has eight players he rotates in and out of his offense. Each is asked only to constantly adapt, not to run set plays.
``We're flexible,'' Dozier said. ``A player who's out there on the court knows more about what's going on than any coach sitting on the side. I trust my players.''
The system works. Rogers has helped make the Cavaliers a good bet to make the state playoffs. The forward averages 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.
``I think we were overlooked early,'' Rogers said. ``It seems if we don't beat certain teams, we're never going to get respect.''
One of those teams is Kempsville. Loaded with shooters, the Chiefs had beaten Princess Anne in both meetings this year prior to Friday's game. Rogers thinks the idea of Kempsville is harder to beat than the team.
``I'm not intimidated by anyone,'' she said. ``I'll take on the whole team if I have to. But it takes the whole team to do it. They have to have that same idea in their minds. Do not have fear in their hearts.''
In a bizarre season, Princess Anne has twice beaten Salem, which has twice beaten Kempsville, which has twice beaten Princess Anne.
Rogers' prowess has attracted several Division II and a few Division I coaches, Dozier said. Rogers said she prefers Hampton University, but is also interested in East Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth and the UNC-Wilmington.
She wants to enter a program ready for immediate action, Rogers said, so she regularly attends college games.
``I learn how they play,'' she said. ``The speed. What I've got to do to play that way. I go to see how different it is from high school and how my game can be like that so I don't have any problems when I get there.''
Rogers is within 100 points of 1,000 for her career. If not for the spread-out nature of the Cavaliers' scoring, she probably could have reached the mark. Dozier has considered turning her loose, but the two decided team goals were more important.
``She's the cornerstone,'' Dozier said. ``She sets the tempo. She's the floor leader and she's our team leader. I give them a lot of freedom. If you give a lady player the freedom to do what she wants to do, she'll be a much better player. All you can do is play together.''
And be glad the seasons of losses are a distant memory. ``We just have to keep focused on our game, keep our heads up,'' Rogers said. ``We have one thing on our mind - winning.''
Beach District quarterfinals will be held Monday - the girls play at Princess Anne, the boys at Ocean Lakes.
Friday's results determined the seedings.
The quarterfinals schedule is as follows: Seed 3 vs. 6 at 2:30 p.m.; 2 vs. 7 at 4:15 p.m.; 4 vs. 5 at 6 p.m.; and 1 vs. 8 at 7:45 p.m.
Semifinals and finals are at Tallwood; the winners of 1 vs. 8 face the winners of 4 vs. 5 played Wednesday - girls at 5:45 p.m. and boys at 7:30 p.m. The same times hold for Thursday, when the winners of 2 vs. 7 face 3 vs. 6.
The championships will be Friday. Tickets are $4 and $2 for children under 12. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
Rasheda Rogers has helped make the Cavaliers a good bet to make the
state playoffs. The senior forward averages 14.2 points, 4.5
rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.
by CNB