Avery Rogers Signs to Play Basketball and Run XC for Faulkner University
Prattville Christian Academy proudly announces that Avery Rogers, a Panther senior and multi-sport athlete, signed two Letters of Intent to run cross country and play basketball at Faulkner University. Rogers will join former Panthers on both teams: Carson Roberson, member of PCA’s Class of 2023 and current Faulkner University Cross Country runner, and Ella Jane Connell, member of PCA’s Class of 2022 and current Faulkner University Basketball player.
Rogers has been a key leader for PCA’s basketball team. As one of the only PCA athletes to ever play in 150+ girls’ basketball games, she is near the top of nearly all school records held. With an entire season yet to play, she is currently 1st all-time for 3-pointers made in girls basketball with 324, 2nd in all-time for assists with 525 (with the record being held by past Panther and current Eagle, Ella Jane Connell), 5th in all-time points scored with 1,394 and 476 field goals made. She not only leads her team on offense but makes significant stops on defense, too. She is 5th all-time in steals with 379 but only needs 49 more to pass former teammate and current 1st place holder, CoCo Thomas.
Jason Roberson, Head Basketball Coach, described Rogers as humble, kind, and a leader. One word he continuously emphasized throughout the signing ceremony was “winner.”
“Avery is the type of teammate everyone wants and needs. She is a fierce competitor and a winner,” he said.
Her ability to help her team win games is evident in the basketball program’s success in the last few years alone, even before Rogers became a varsity starter. Coach Roberson shared a story during Rogers’s 7th-grade year during playoffs. She was pulled up to the varsity team to learn from them, and she even played in the Final Four game at the BJCC in the last minute.
“Little did she know she would make that place her home over the next few years,” said Roberson.
Rogers went on to win three consecutive state championships in the same arena, the BJCC, where her journey began.
A shared sentiment between Coach Roberson, Coach Schumpert, Head Cross Country coach, and Tara Osborne, Athletic Director, is that Rogers never once had a bad attitude. “In my 23 years of coaching, I can confidently say that Avery is the most coachable player. We tell her what to improve on, and she applies it immediately,” said Coach Roberson. This is also just as evident on a cross-country trail. As PCA’s all-time female record holder with a 19:00 race time, Rogers has had to continuously work to achieve what she has been able to do today.
She finished in the top 15 in the AHSAA State meet in three of the last four years, making it onto the podium and placing 3rd in her last state meet. Rogers has consistently competed well, placing in all 12 races this season, placing 9th in the Spain Park Twilight meet, 1st in the Pepsi Challenge, 2nd in the Dolphin Run, 4th in Jesse Owens Classic, 1st in Co-ED State, 5th in the Tiger Classic, 5th in the Oakville Invitational, 3rd in the AHSAA Sectional meet, and 3rd in the AHSAA State meet.
