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STERLINGTON —
Far more often than not, athletes who wait until they are well into high school before deciding to go out for sports (a.k.a. “projects”) don’t pan out. Sterlington center Milisa Rogers, who at this time last year was a junior rookie, has defied the percentages.
After spending a year refining her skills with the junior varsity and playing sparingly with the varsity, the 5-11 Rogers is averaging 7 points and 9 rebounds for the Lady Panthers.
Rogers actually began her athletic career when she joined the track team as a sophomore. Producing instant results, Rogers ran a leg on the Lady Panthers’ state championship 4 x 200-meter relay team, while helping Sterlington to a state runner-up finish in the Class 2A team standings.
Darlene Eubanks, the Lady Panthers’ basketball and track coach, credits Sterlington assistant principal Dell Ashley for steering Rogers into athletics.
“Milisa was in one of my P.E. classes and had never shown any interest in athletics whatsoever,” Eubanks said. “I don’t know if anybody realizes it, but coach Ashley encouraged her to get involved in athletics. I thank him for sending her to me all the time. She was a diamond in the rough. It just goes to show that when someone takes an interest in a young person, you never know where it’s going to go.”
Besides becoming a key member of the Lady Panthers’ relay teams, Rogers has blossomed into a solid post player. It just took Rogers a little longer to blossom on the hardwood as she started from scratch. She had never played organized basketball at any level.
“We started by teaching her the defensive part,” Eubanks recalled. “She’s still learning. She’s up and down offensively, but she’s consistent with her rebounding.”
Eubanks says Rogers’ contributions to the Lady Panthers can’t be measured by what she has accomplished on the court alone.
“Milisa is an extremely hard worker,” Eubanks said. “She’s a good role model for her teammates and any young person. I tell her mother (Teresa) all the time that I want to adopt her. She’s the type of young lady that is a joy to coach and be around.”
FIRST QUARTER
NOWN: Why did you wait so late to start playing basketball?
Milisa Rogers: La’Kelia (Pounds), my cousin, wanted me to play her senior year and I wanted to try something different.
Far more often than not, athletes who wait until they are well into high school before deciding to go out for sports (a.k.a. “projects”) don’t pan out. Sterlington center Milisa Rogers, who at this time last year was a junior rookie, has defied the percentages.
After spending a year refining her skills with the junior varsity and playing sparingly with the varsity, the 5-11 Rogers is averaging 7 points and 9 rebounds for the Lady Panthers.
Rogers actually began her athletic career when she joined the track team as a sophomore. Producing instant results, Rogers ran a leg on the Lady Panthers’ state championship 4 x 200-meter relay team, while helping Sterlington to a state runner-up finish in the Class 2A team standings.
Darlene Eubanks, the Lady Panthers’ basketball and track coach, credits Sterlington assistant principal Dell Ashley for steering Rogers into athletics.
“Milisa was in one of my P.E. classes and had never shown any interest in athletics whatsoever,” Eubanks said. “I don’t know if anybody realizes it, but coach Ashley encouraged her to get involved in athletics. I thank him for sending her to me all the time. She was a diamond in the rough. It just goes to show that when someone takes an interest in a young person, you never know where it’s going to go.”
Besides becoming a key member of the Lady Panthers’ relay teams, Rogers has blossomed into a solid post player. It just took Rogers a little longer to blossom on the hardwood as she started from scratch. She had never played organized basketball at any level.
“We started by teaching her the defensive part,” Eubanks recalled. “She’s still learning. She’s up and down offensively, but she’s consistent with her rebounding.”
Eubanks says Rogers’ contributions to the Lady Panthers can’t be measured by what she has accomplished on the court alone.
“Milisa is an extremely hard worker,” Eubanks said. “She’s a good role model for her teammates and any young person. I tell her mother (Teresa) all the time that I want to adopt her. She’s the type of young lady that is a joy to coach and be around.”
FIRST QUARTER
NOWN: Why did you wait so late to start playing basketball?
Milisa Rogers: La’Kelia (Pounds), my cousin, wanted me to play her senior year and I wanted to try something different.
NOWN: Did you play basketball around your neighborhood, growing up?
Rogers: No. I never played in a rec league or even around the house. I never really played basketball that much in P.E.
NOWN: What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of basketball?
Rogers: My favorite part is winning. My least favorite part is losing.
SECOND QUARTER
NOWN: Were you familiar with the rules when you first started?
Rogers: I pretty well knew the rules. The hardest part for me was trying to dribble.
NOWN: What is the biggest improvement you have made over the past year and a half?
Rogers: I have gotten better at rebounding and keeping the ball higher when I shoot.
NOWN: What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?
Rogers: My weakness is still handling the ball. I would say my strengths are my rebounding and shooting. I think I have become a pretty good shooter.
NOWN: What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
Rogers: My goal is for us to finish out district strong and get to the playoffs.
THIRD QUARTER
NOWN: How do you spend a typical day during basketball season?
Rogers: School, practice, home, shower, eat, sleep.
NOWN: What are you going to miss the most about playing high school basketball?
Rogers: I’m going to miss all of my teammates. You become close when you spend as much time together as we do.
NOWN: What sport would you like to try?
Rogers. Soccer. It just looks like it would be fun, running and kicking the ball.
FOURTH QUARTER
NOWN: What do you like best about attending Sterlington High?
Rogers: Knowing everybody and not having to meet new people every day.
NOWN: What is something you hope to accomplish before you graduate?
Rogers: I want us to win the state track meet as a team. Hopefully, we’ll have the team to do that this year.
NOWN: What are your future plans?
Rogers: To go to cosmetology school. When I was little, I loved to comb my baby dolls’ hair. Cosmetology is something I have always been interested in.
