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Rogers’ Girls Take Division II State Basketball Championship
By Albert Earl
Sojourner’s Truth Photographer and Rogers HS Graduate
St. Patrick’s Day
is normally known for being the luckiest day of the year.
However, on Saturday in Columbus, luck was nowhere to be
found as the Roger’s High School girls’ basketball team
brought home the school’s first state championship trophy
and first to Toledo for girls since 1981 with a 51-37
victory over third-ranked Gates Mills Gilmour Academy at
Ohio State University’s Value City Arena.
This win was the
result of determination, team work, and the will to be the
best, as the girls refused to live up to the community’s
expectation of once again falling short of being a
championship caliber team.
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As I reflect on
this overwhelming feeling of pride and admiration, I almost
become nostalgic when thinking about what these girls have
put in to becoming the best of the best, not only on the
court, but in the classroom as well.
As we all know, the
girls finished 27-3, were sixth-ranked in the state at the
end of the regular season and knocked off some talented
teams throughout the playoffs. What some may not know is
that these girls are stellar academic achievers, and bring
real meaning to the term “student athlete.” Lauren Smith,
the daughter of Coach Lamar Smith, will finish in the top
thee in her class, earning educational accolades. Courtney
Gardner and 2nd Team All State Madison Royal
Davis, both of whom are freshman are within the top five of
their class and Myia McLeod will finish in the top five
percent of her class.
Secondly, I am in
total awe of what Coach Smith has accomplished at Roger’s
High School in the past eight years. Although his work has
been well documented, I believe he has gone greatly
underappreciated until now. Coach Smith has worked
tirelessly, sending 18 girls on full ride scholarships to
various colleges and has sent 11 to Division I schools since
taking over the program in 2011. He is one of the few who
believed in his team during their adversity, and gave them
the confidence needed to endure, when everyone else said it
couldn’t be done. Kudos to you Coach Smith for raising the
standard of excellence, and being a true leader in our
community.
Finally, it is
inspiring to know that this group of girls believed in
themselves, even when others did not. The Toledo Public
School district brings a negative connotation when
conversations of student athletes are held. Some say that it
is next to impossible for a TPS Team to win it all, produce
educational powerhouses, and have participants stay out of
criminal trouble simultaneously. Outside of the Roger’s High
School community, Principal Kelly Welch, Assistant Principal
Elberta Smith, faculty, staff, and students, many others
throughout the city doubted it could be done. I am truly
proud to say that this group of girls sent a message loud
and clear to those who have ever doubted them. Excellence is
possible to achieve, no matter the social/economic status,
race, or what side of the tracks one may be from.
In conclusion, I was
asked how the Roger’s High School state championship made me
feel, and I can put it to you very simply. Overjoyed,
inspired and motivated to continue to do great things in my
own life to help inspire those I may come in contact with. I
think about how the girls have given a maximum effort to
achieve their yearlong goal. This includes summer workouts,
tire flips, and countless hours of studying film.
However, what makes this
truly special is how these girls are great citizens and
scholar performers in the classroom, and that’s the real
miracle here for a community like ours. Zia Cooke scored 33
points and had 14 rebounds in the finale, was the MVP and
captain of her team. Yet she was seen doing homework hours
before tip-off. If that’s not something to admire, I don’t
know what is. They’ve excelled on the court, in the
classroom, and beyond, and we all could do better by taking
a page or two from their play book. Hats off to the Roger’s
High School girls’ basketball team, and thanks for reminding
us all of one important aspect.
It’s not hard…when
you work hard.
Ed. Note: Earl, a Rogers alumnus and former member of the
boys basketball team, is a member of the Hall of Fame
committee and does volunteer organizing in the Rogers
community centered around economic and social justice
issues. He mentors Rogers students and does photography for
the school. Earl has a number of family members who have
attended Rogers and excelled in sports.
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