Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeRams hoopsters turning up the volume this summer
Rogers first-year head coach Rico Ancheta is putting his imprint on the Rogers boys basketball varsity program
Shaun Scott
The Rogers Rams aren’t rebuilding, they’re reloading.
Despite losing the majority of the Rams varsity squad to graduation in 2008, Rogers Rams boys basketball first year head coach Rico Ancheta is confident the 2008-09 version of the Rams basketball squad will do just fine in SPSL league play this coming winter. Ancheta, who replaced the recently retired Rod Iverson has his players working overtime this summer in preparation for the winter season that kicks off play in four months. The Rams have competed in 30 games throughout the summer, competing in five summer tournaments as well.
“The guys are working hard and are really dedicated,” Ancheta said. “I think we’re doing more strength and conditioning than they’re used to. We open up the weight room and give them an opportunity to lift two or three times a week.”
Thus far, the Rams have compiled a 20-10 overall record in summer league play.
While the Rams’ two returning varsity players Tim Lewis and Ryan McIntosh are coming up big this summer, JV players from last year’s roster are beginning to prove themselves at the varsity level.
“After about seven or eight games you could start to see the younger players step up,” Ancheta said. “We haven’t had one star out here. There’s been a lot of different guys responsible for us winning games. It took us about to the halfway point of the summer for everyone to get used to playing with each other. They’ve been getting more comfortable and confident out there and that’s good.”
Ancheta admits being the head coach of a high school basketball program is a much bigger time commitment than it is as an assistant coach.
“There’s a lot more time and effort involved in running your own program,” Ancheta said. “As a head coach, you’re doing a lot of observing and evaluating during the summer. Seeing them compete in game situations is a big plus. You get to see how they respond to the pressure.”