Target in sight

Arkansas Mavericks' coach Ronald Rogers is itching for a national championship. The core of his team has posted a 166-30 record. These players finished second in the BCI National Tournament last year and are now focused on the AAU Nationals this summer.

Playing together for the sixth straight year, the Mavericks' core isn't getting any younger. Of course, when the players are 12 and 13 years old, that's a good thing.

The Mavericks have dominated Arkansas, winning the last four AAU state championships. The team has posted a 125-9 record inside the state. The AAU National Tournament has been a different story, as the team has tied for 17th twice.

"I really feel good about this team," says Rogers. "I think this is the best team we've put together. We're a lot deeper. We have 12 on the roster. I'm not afraid to put anybody in."

The Mavericks are 23-5 this season, playing primarily against 14-and-under teams. The team includes Laura Beth Anderson, Whitney Biggs, Amanda Condery Sara Davis, Antonia Jones, Julie Inman, Jamie Sterrenberg, Jenny Vining and Cara White.

The team's roster includes players from every corner of the state. The core, however, is a trio of cousins who live within minutes of one another in South Arkansas. Seventh grade point guards Destinee Rogers and Jasmine Canser have played AAU basketball since they were 8, including three years of 10-and-under. Eighth grade forward Brittany Johnson has been with the team for five years.

Cancer leads the team in steals while Rogers is the Mavericks' top scorer. Johnson leads the team in rebounds.

"They are the core of the team. When it comes to crunch time, all three will be on the floor," says Ronald Rogers.

"Jasmine is just a pure athlete," he continues. "She's quick as a cat, explosive and probably is our best defender. Brittany is just a hoss under the boards. She's going up against people three or four inches taller and getting the job done. Destinee's strong point is her shooting. She's not fast but as far as quickness, she's quick and plays good defense."

The girls anchored their school teams. Canser and Rogers teamed up to lead Strong Junior High to a 17-0 record. Johnson led Union Junior High to a 20-3 record with all three losses to Canser and Rogers' team.

The Mavericks are trying to crack the nation's elite in 13-and-- under. Last year they were one game away from the Sweet 16, losing to Fairfax by one point after going undefeated in pool play.

"Last year was the first time we won our pool at AAU Nationals. That's something to build on for this year," says Rogers. "This year I think we have a good shot of getting to the Sweet 16. If we really play our style of basketball, I think we can get into the top 10. Once you get there, it just depends on whoever is 'on.'"

The guard-oriented Mavericks play a fullcourt style, leaning heavily on a pressure defense and up-tempo offense. A lack of size might be the team's only flaw, especially against the nation's elite clubs.

"We have a little more size this year, but we don't have the 6'1" or 6'2" post we desperately need," Rogers says. "We do have some 5'9"s and 510"s who can play. Of course, at Nationals you'll find guards who are 6'1"."

You'll also find teams that draw players from giant talent pools in large cities. The Mavericks consist of girls from tiny towns around the state of Arkansas. The team can't get together for practices often because the players live seven to eight hours apart. When they do practice, it's often against ninth- and 1 Oth-grade boys.

"In this age group in Arkansas, there's not a lot of competition," says Rogers. The Mavericks traveled to tournaments in Knoxville and Springfield, Mo., in search of tough games.

"I told my kids, 'We're trying to prepare for Nationals. You've got to play stiff competition,' "says Rogers.

The Mavericks, who finished second in the state 14-and-under AAU tournament to the 14-and-under Mavericks, are gearing up for a run at the Nationals.

Everything they do during this summer is in preparation for their trip to Dayton, Ohio, site of the 13-and-under national tournament. The goal is to establish themselves as one of the nation's elite.

"Seventeenth was pretty darn good but I'm not satisfied with that," Rogers says. "I can tell the focus is there. They've worked hard."

Copyright Ashton International Media, Inc. Aug 2003
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