SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Susie Rogers and her teammates open the 2015 Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs Tuesday against Bella Vista. With a win, they could record their 20th victory for the first time since 2011 and advance to the second round for the second consecutive season.

“I hope we have a good practice and it carries over to tomorrow and we play well and to our potential to get a win,” said Rogers before practice Monday.

The Troubadours (19-7) are in the playoffs for the third straight year with Rogers playing a leading role for the team. She has averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and a league-best 5.2 steals while adding 2.8 steals per game, the fifth-best total in the league.

“Her floor leadership has been paramount to any success that we have had and the example she has set in practice every day with the work ethic displays has shown her as a true leader,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton of his senior guard.

Rogers is playing her third season on varsity and has shown consistent improvement while filling the needs of the team.

“She came into the varsity program as a young lady with some potential,” said Pitton. “She had the potential to run the point, score and play solidly and contribute. She took that opportunity and converted it into reality, especially the last two years.”

As a junior, Rogers was asked to score and was second on the team in scoring at 9.3 points per game. She had her best game of the season in the first-round playoff win over Edison, scoring a career-high 21 points.

“I remember I was really pumped up and I made a lot of threes,” recalled Rogers. “Hopefully I can do it again.”

While Rogers still is a scoring threat this season (eight games in double figures), Pitton has asked her to be her to be the floor general.

“She has done an excellent job,” said Pitton. “She understands how to run our defense and provide floor leadership as the point guard. This year she has been able to distribute the ball, find the open players, key the break and really make good transitions to help us get transition baskets.”

Rogers has 18 games of four or more assists with a season-high nine in a game against Franklin this season.  In the regular season finale, Rogers had eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists with three steals and a block. It was a stat line that perfectly shows her impact on the St. Francis team.

With the Troubadours winners of five straight entering the playoffs, Rogers hopes to continue the winning ways and extend her senior season as long as possible.

“I have always identified myself as a member of the St. Francis basketball team,” said Rogers. “People know me as a basketball player and I have had conditioning, practice or a game every day. It has been the biggest part of my St. Francis experience.”

Rogers and her teammates face Bella Vista, who enters with an identical 19-7 record. The winner earns a game against No. 1 seed St. Mary’s on Thursday in Stockton.

“We will have a lot of adrenaline and there will be more people in the crowd,” said Rogers. “I think that will help us have a great game.”

Pitton believes his squad is ready for the task at hand.

“There is always a bit of uncertainty when you are playing a team you know nothing about,” said Pitton. “I think with all the experience we have had this year, they are ready and will welcome the challenge tomorrow.”

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and Booster passes are not eligible for the contest. Fans can also catch the game online on TroubieTV for $9.95.