2020 Rahim Ali talks playoff win, improvements this season and recruiting
Poly escaped an early playoff scare last night against City, advancing after a 65-64 win. Junior point guard Rahim Ali stepped up as he has all season and led the Engineers with 22 points. We caught up with the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPoly escaped an early playoff scare last night against City, advancing after a 65-64 win. Junior point guard Rahim Ali stepped up as he has all season and led the Engineers with 22 points.
We caught up with the floor general following the win.
PH: Well…that was a lot harder than expected, right?
RA: Yeah, you could say that. I mean we knew it would be a tough game since we beat them in the regular season. No one is going to lay down and give us a win. They hit a lot of shots and played a good game. They’re a good team, but I was glad we came out on top.
PH: What were some things in the game plan that you felt like your team executed well?
RA: Since they’re a smaller team, we wanted to get the ball inside as much as possible to get them in foul trouble and get to the free-throw line. Once we established inside, it opened up the outside a little more for us. I thought we also did good closing out with a high hand. They still hit shots and sometimes there just isn’t anything you can do about that.
PH: It’s the playoffs and you guys obviously have a target on your back. You’re set to see some really good teams in the coming round. What are some things you think you need to tighten up on as a team?
RA: Closing out on shooters quicker. We have to take better care of the ball and also match up a lot faster on defense. We definitely have to hit our free-throws, too.
PH: As an individual with the growth of your game, how has this year went for you?
RA: Ah man, this is the best year yet. I just know how to control the game now. Like I know what’s going on at all times. If I want something to happen, I know how to make it happen. I know what plays we need to run in certain situations. I just feel like I’ve gotten better at everything. I’ve spent years with a lot of these guys, so I know them a lot better and know the spots where they like the ball.
PH: Reflect back to the days when you were a freshman asked to be the floor general of an eventual state championship team. How much does that experience help you now?
RA: It’s just experience. Just being out here, I feel like I’ve faced every type of situation so whatever comes, I never fold or get too rattled. I’m comfortable in any situation. When we got down early tonight, I knew not to panic. We’ve been down before, so it was nothing to come back. We just had to stay in striking distance and that’s what we did and we ended up winning so that’s all that matters.
PH: What’s the most important thing going forward for you guys?
RA: Being humble. Not getting too high just because we won back-to-back state titles. We have to stay on our toes and be ready for anything so we can go get this third one.
PH: Let’s shift to your recruitment. Who’ve you been hearing from the most?
RA: I’ve heard from UMass the most. They contact me a lot. Providence recently reached out. Mt. St. Mary’s has also been out a few times.
PH: Which schools have offered you?
RA: Loyola (MD), Towson and UMass. I’ve heard from UMass the most, though. They like my toughness. Being able to bring toughness to a program because that is important in turning a program around.