Sports

ROURKE’S LEADERSHIP EXTENDS BEYOND FRIDAY NIGHTS

Experienced HP senior hosts team dinners, aims to set positive examples

Senior cornerback Adam Rourke said he strives “to set the tone every day” for his Highland Park defensive teammates. (PHOTOS: MELISSA MACATEE)

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

As the most experienced player on the Highland Park defense, and the only team captain on that side of scrimmage, Adam Rourke knew he had to become a better leader.

That extends beyond the field. Rourke’s house in University Park has become the weekly site for traditional Thursday team dinners for about 20 of his defensive teammates. And this year, the group has added film study while building a rapport.

“A lot of us already have a tight bond because we’ve played together for quite a few years,”

Rourke said. “It just builds a better camaraderie.” On Friday nights, the senior cornerback has complemented his pass coverage skills with more physicality. Halfway through the season, he was leading the Scots in tackles — rare for a cornerback — after securing 15 stops during a win over Lewisville.

“I take pride in that, being physical up near the line,” Rourke said. “In my sophomore year, I was just focused on covering.”

Rourke is the only defensive holdover from the 2020 team that reached the fourth round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. He was promoted from the junior varsity squad early that season and became a full-time starter as a junior.

He said experience has made him more patient and improved his ability to read the field, enabling him to match up against the top receiver on the opposing team.

“You embrace the respect that other teams are giving you, and you’re happy you’ve earned it,” Rourke said. “It’s kind of a reward for your hard work.”

Rourke is a two-sport athlete at HP. He enjoyed baseball more growing up and didn’t start playing football until seventh grade when coaches convinced him to join the “C” team. He missed the following year

A lot of us with an injury but climbed already have a the depth chart tight bond. quickly as a freshman. Adam Rourke During that time, Rourke and his now-senior teammates marveled at HP’s run of three consecutive state championships, particularly the stingy defense that paved the way during the 2016 campaign by allowing fewer than 14 points per game. “It’s always been a goal of ours since middle school. We watched the state championship teams growing up,” he said. “We’ve always wanted to be one of those defenses. We reference that in practice almost every day. The example they set for us is the example we want to set for future generations.”

Bigger Buckets: Scots Ready for 6A Jump on Hardwood HP girls, boys look to challenge traditional powers for playoff seeding

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

and raise the standard,” Fleming said. “Now we want to make it to the regional tournament.”

After back-to-back exits in the third round of the girls basketball playoffs, Highland Park is setting its sights even higher.

That goal will be more difficult at the Class 6A level, especially in a district alongside perennial powers such as Irving MacArthur and Richardson. But the expectations will remain high, and so will the motivation.

“Our [nondistrict] schedule is predominantly 6A, so we keep those teams on our schedule for that reason,” said HP head coach Nicole Fleming. “We’re going to prepare for each team without harping on the 6A part. We’re not backing away from anyone.”

The talent level should keep the Lady Scots competitive. Two returning starters — Paris Lauro and Vivian Jin — already have multiple years of playoff experience on the varsity level. Other top returnees include Audrey Walker, Kate Jackson, and Charlotte Collins.

The depth within the program has improved, too, thanks to more players competing year-round in workouts and tournaments.

Fleming said she has been encouraged not only by the dedication, but by the unselfishness of her players as they embrace her team-oriented system.

“Once you get past where you’ve always been, and get to experience it, now we continue to push

HP boys face 6A challenge

The Highland Park boys are accustomed to playing a difficult nondistrict schedule of 5A playoff contenders. But this year, those games will come with more frequency — and higher stakes. Head coach David Piehler hopes the Scots’ experience hanging tough with state powers such as Richardson and Lake Highlands will carry over to their upcoming matchups in District 7-6A play. “It gave us confidence to know that we can play with any team on any given night,” Piehler said. “This district is going to challenge us to where if we do make the playoffs, we’ll be ready. We will have been tested numerous times.” In terms of experience and maturity, the Scots could be well-equipped to challenge for a top playoff seed in their first year at the 6A level since 2016. They have just one return-

We’re not backing ing starter in forward Coleson Messer but will have 11 seniors away from anyone. on the 12-man roster. Nicole Fleming HP will have a solid mix of interior and exterior players with returning contributors including Dylan Walker, Thomas Jackman, Jackson Heis, and Drew McElroy. “We’re very versatile and experienced. The commitment level in the offseason has been very impressive,” Piehler said. “They’re very self-motivated and have been together for a lot of years playing with each other.”

2022-23 SCHEDULES

HP BOYS

November 11 at Wylie 7:30 p.m. 15 Harker Heights 7 p.m. 18 HSAA 7:30 p.m. 21 Woodrow Wilson 2 p.m. 26 Plano East 2:30 p.m. 29 McKinney 7 p.m. December 1-3 Prosper tournament TBA 6 at Grand Prairie 7:30 p.m. 9 Lake Highlands* 7 p.m. 16 at Irving* 7 p.m. 20 Richardson* 1 p.m. 27-29 Allen tournament TBA 31 at Richardson Berkner*1 p.m. January 3 Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 6 at Irving MacArthur* 7 p.m. 10 Jesuit* 7 p.m. 13 at Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m. 17 at Lake Highlands* 7 p.m. 24 Irving* 7:30 p.m. 27 at Richardson* 7 p.m. 31 Richardson Berkner* 7 p.m. February 3 at Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 7 Irving MacArthur* 7:30 p.m. 10 at Jesuit* 7 p.m. 14 Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m.

HP GIRLS

November 4 at Southlake Carroll 6:30 p.m. 8 Rockwall-Heath 6:30 p.m. 11 Coppell 6 p.m. 14 at Bishop Lynch 6:30 p.m. 17-19 Floresville tournament TBA 21 at Mansfield Legacy 1:30 p.m. 22 Pinkston 1:30 p.m. 28 at McKinney 7:30 p.m. December 1-3 Lions Club tournament^ TBA 9 at Richardson* 7 p.m. 16 at Irving MacArthur* 6:30 p.m. 20 at Richardson Berkner*11:30 a.m. 28-30 Sandra Meadows tourney** TBA January 3 at Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m. 6 Irving* 7 p.m. 10 at Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 13 at Lake Highlands* 6:30 p.m. 17 Richardson* 7 p.m. 20 Irving MacArthur* 7 p.m. 24 Richardson Berkner* 6 p.m. 27 Richardson Pearce* 7 p.m. 31 at Irving* 8 p.m. February 3 Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m. 7 Lake Highlands* 6 p.m.

22 November 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com Siblings Look to Help HP Serve Up Another Team Tennis Title Rogozinski sisters shine in doubles — but not together — for perennial power Scots

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

They know each other’s games inside and out. They practice together on the tennis court several times a week. Their skills complement one another. And they live under the same roof.

It makes sense that in addition to their singles prowess, twin sisters Eden and Mia Rogozinski would make natural doubles partners. Not so fast.

“We found out we weren’t good together,” Eden said. “We enjoy it except when things get tense. When it’s competitive, it gets hard because I get mad at her.”

Both seniors have been vital contributors to the recent success of the perennial powerhouse HP tennis program, for which they both serve as team captains this season — as long as they’re not on the same court for a match.

“We will cheer for each other no matter what,” Eden said. “I will do whatever I can to help her.”

They started in tennis about 10 years ago, when their grandfather bought each a racket for Christmas. After taking some lessons the following summer, tournament competition followed. Eden has the stronger serve of the two, while Mia benefits from a patient approach on the court.

Eden teamed with Isabella McElfresh to win a Class 5A state title last spring in girls doubles. Mia narrowly missed qualifying for the state tournament in mixed doubles.

FROM LEFT: Highland Park tennis captains Leo Hall, Mia Rogozinski, Eden Rogozinski, and Noah Perhirin. (COURTESY PHOTO)

“They’ve really matured a lot. They’ve taken a leadership role,” said HP head coach Tylir Jimenez. “They definitely push each other and support each other.”

The Rogozinskis also have been vital contributors to consecutive state titles during the fall team tennis season. They hope to make it

When it’s three in a row on Oct. 27, when the team competitive, it gets will seek its seventh hard because I get consecutive crown and 23rd overall. mad at her. However, the Eden Rogozinski road to another state championship will include more hurdles, with the Scots competing at the Class 6A level this year. They lost to a pair of 6A foes, Southlake Carroll and Allen, during the regular season.

“It’s harder, but it makes all the seniors want it even more,” Mia said. “We’ll be playing a bunch of teams we haven’t played before.”

In 2015, the last time HP was in the 6A classification, the Scots fell in the state semifinals. Yet as the challenge intensifies, the expectations remain as high as ever.

“We’re hitting our stride pretty well,” Jimenez said. “There is something to prove.”

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