Student Spotlight: Prattville Christian Academy Senior Avery Rogers

By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

There are many great high school athletes throughout Elmore and Autauga County. There are considerably less that play two sports, or even three, at a high level. There are only a select few that can excel in four different sports at the high school level. Avery Rogers, a senior at Prattville Christian Academy, falls into that distinct category.

Some would say Rogers’ best sport is basketball. The Panthers have won three consecutive state championships in AHSAA with the sharpshooting Rogers knocking down big shots time and time again. “I could not feel more blessed to be a part of this team. What we have done the past three seasons is better than I could have ever imagined. Also, what makes the last three championships so special is that I have been able to win them alongside some of the best people I know. Our team has grown so incredibly close over the past few years and we all just love playing together, which makes the game of basketball so much fun. I wouldn’t doubt that one of the main reasons that we have been able to be so successful is because of the great relationships that we have built with each other.”

She was named State All-Tournament Team in 2022 as a 10th grader and again in 2023 as an 11th grader. She was also named 3rd Team All-State in Class 4A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Heading into her senior season, she is 7th All Time at PCA with 1296 points scored. She is the school leader with 123 3-pointers in a single season. For her career, Rogers has made 305 3-pointers, which is already a school record for PCA, and is currently 13th in AHSAA history, with still another season to add to it.

Rogers has team and individual goals for her senior season. “I really want to hit over 100 three pointers again this year, which would make me the first girl to hit 100 threes in back-to-back seasons in school history. Then, of course, I really want to make it back to the Final Four and give ourselves the best chance to win another state championship.”

Basketball is not the only sport that Rogers has won a state championship. She was also Libero for the Panthers’ 2022 volleyball team that won the school’s first ever state championship in volleyball. In 2021, she was named All State by the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association. For her career, Rogers has 682 career digs, 81 career aces, and 125 career assists. However, Rogers has decided not to play volleyball this season so she can focus on basketball and cross country.

Rogers is running 15 – 25 miles per week, in preparation for the upcoming cross-country season.  She finished in the Top 20 in the 3A State Meet each of the last three seasons and was also named 1st Team All-Metro each season. In 2021, Rogers broke the school record with a time of 20:06.

“For cross country, I would love to place within the top 15 at state again as well as hopefully place in the top five as a team (that would be the highest finish in school history). That goal is not too far out of reach considering we have everyone coming back from last year after placing 6th at the state meet.”

And if all that wasn’t enough, Rogers has made 2nd Team All-Metro the last two years in soccer, where she has scored 47 career goals and has 14 assists. Rogers’ goals for the Spring are to reach the 50-career goal mark and lead the Panthers back to the playoffs.

Rogers will attend Faulkner University in Montgomery and will play basketball and run on the cross-country team. “The main reason that I chose Faulkner is that it is just the best situation for me. I really wanted a small-school atmosphere that was somewhat close to home where I could be involved in both sports and other activities. And of course, Faulkner checked all of the boxes. I also love the coaches. They are all such amazing people that I truly think are going to push me to be my absolute best! And lastly, of course, getting to compete in both sports I love is such a unique opportunity that I couldn’t be more excited for!”

While excited for the future, Rogers is aware and grateful for her school, teachers, and teammates. “The first thing that I appreciate most about PCA is all the amazing teachers, coaches, and staff that have poured into my life. Everyone at PCA is so supportive of each other and all my teachers and coaches want nothing more than the best for all of the students and athletes. The second thing that I appreciate most about PCA is that it has given me the opportunity to be involved in so many different things. Without my amazing coaches, I wouldn’t have been able to compete in multiple sports that I absolutely love these last three years and for that, I am forever grateful.”