Prospect Watch: Rafe Kalberloh (2021)

<p>The basketball program at Lakeland High has prospered quite well since the arrival of Class of 2021 guard Rafe Kalberoh.</p> <p>Ever since Kalberoh has come on to the scene, the Vikings have won a total of 72 games while losing only 11, which includes two consecutive Class 1 district championships. It had been a long time since Lakeland had won a district championship, but Kalberoh took care of ending that drought.</p> <p>"It was pretty awesome to win a district championship," he said. "Especially since Lakeland hasn't won a district title for years until I came to high school. I was upset that I we didn't get to the Final Four as that is my goal every year is to compete for a state championship."</p> <p>The 6'3" Kalberloh has already surpassed the 1,500-point mark in his career and will most certainly break 2,000 points next year as a senior is he stays healthy. He is an all-around talent talent who excels at a number of positions on the floor to lead the Vikings. He is an excellent player in the low post where he uses his strong body to get buckets and get himself to the free throw line. He is also strong on the drive and an excellent mid-range shooter who likes to operate from the high post area.</p> <p>"My main strengths as a player is driving to the hoop, my post moves and my mid-range jump shot," he said. "It gives me multiple options for me to score if that's to drive and get a layup or make a post move and score or even have the defense collapse on me to get my teammates an open look."</p> <p>When Kalberoh has all three elements of his game working, he becomes a force on the offensive end. He had such a night this season when he scored a career-high 50 points in a victory over Dadeville. The 50-point outburst broke a single-game school record that was on the books for 40 years.</p> <p>"After the first half, I had 21 points already and then I told my coach I'm drop 50 and it happened," he said. "I couldn't believe it and I was so happy that my teammates helped me get it, as all of my points came from inside the three (point line)."</p> <p><em>(Rafe Kalberloh photo courtesy of Cindy Wilkins)</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>