MCC basketball coach Sam Ballard, freshman Rogers honored by ACCAC
Jonathon Smith
Mesa basketball coach Sam Ballard recieved the ACCAC Coach of the Year award for his stellar leadership ability as well as the success his team experienced throughout the season.
Ballard, in just his second season as coach for Mesa, has led the team to an impressive combined record of 42-14.
Mesa finished second in the region, only one game behind Cochise for first place.
One benefit of Ballard’s excellent coaching skills was freshman player of the year Stephen Rogers.
Rogers was second in the ACCAC in scoring with 21.3 points per game. He was also fourth in free throw percentage at 81 percent and fifth in three-point percentage shooting 42.7 percent.
Rogers was nearly unstoppable throughout the season.
His ability to shoot the ball so well for a player his size was invaluable for the Thunderbirds. He presented match-up problems for teams because he forced other team’s big men out of the paint to cover the three-pointer.
Rogers and Ballard begin post-season play against Arizona Western. A win against the team will have them play Cochise at the ACCAC championship and a trip to nationals.
