Team Preview: Rancho Rams

<p>Forgive Kei Childress for being overly enthusiastic. After taking over in the middle of the season 3 years ago, suffering through a four win season two years ago, and then having last season canceled, the Rancho Head Man has seen it all during his short stint at the helm. The coach is the consummate competitor with a laser-focused mission. "Our goal is to win state," says Childress. Lofty expectations, for sure, but in the wide-open 4A Division, and with an infusion of young talent don't count the Rams out. Through his grassroots connections, the coach has landed one of the deepest and most talented freshmen classes in the state. According to the coach, the play of these freshmen will be key if the team is to have success.  "We will reach our goals if the young guys grow up quickly," says Childress. </p> <p><strong>HC:</strong> Kei Childress 2rd Season. </p> <p><strong>Division:</strong> 4A </p> <p><strong>2019-2020 Record:</strong> 4-23</p> <p><em>Key Returners: </em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="859659" first="Kei" last="Childress Jr"] <em>6’1 PG 2022 (#44PHN 2022)</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - KCJ is the engine of the team. The senior PG has always been a leader but will be counted on to lead even more with this young squad. He will also be counted on to score the basketball. The son of a coach, Childress has been around the game since diapers,  and according to his Head Coach, has the best understanding of what the team is trying to do on the floor. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jimar-Mitchell.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1272444 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jimar-Mitchell-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="264" height="198" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="859651" first="Jimar" last="Mitchell"] <em>6’0 SG 2022 (#38PHN 2022)</em> - I got to see quite a bit of Mitchell on our Prephoops Circuit. His aggressive, attacking style led to several big scoring nights. This year it looks like he has added to his game, as he splashed home several 3’s in the scrimmage. The shooting guard credits the PrepHoops Circuit with allowing him to get better while playing against tough competition. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Key Newcomers:</em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Miles-Williams.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1272445 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Miles-Williams-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="208" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1243525" first="Miles" last="Williams"] <em>5’8 PG 2025</em> - Williams is one of the young players expected to see significant time. The PG was a star on the Prephoops Next Middle School Circuit and is now prepared to face "bigger, stronger, tougher" Varsity competition. He will provide the team with an additional ballhandler, allowing coach Childress to move [player_tooltip player_id="859659" first="Kei" last="Childress Jr"] off the ball at times. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jakoi-Lide.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1272446 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jakoi-Lide-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1253142" first="Jakoi" last="Lide"] <em>5’8 PG 2025</em> - The PG buried several Steph range 3’s in the scrimmage and has the confidence of his coach to let it fly. Confidence is one thing the freshman does not lack, Lide, plays the game with chip firmly planted on his shoulder. It should come as no surprise, he lists Miami Heat Superstar, Tyler Herro as the player he models his game after. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kedan Jones</strong> <em>6’5 C 2025</em> - Jones wasn’t at the workout, but he will be counted on for the team’s success. The 5 man is a classic banger with a soft touch. Jones showed several times during the Prephoops Circuit that he is very comfortable stepping outside and knocking down 3’s. He'll provide the Rams with true size up front and should help on the glass immediately.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jordan-Childress.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1272448 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Jordan-Childress-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="987162" first="Jordan" last="Childress"] <em>5’11 PG 2024 (#29PHN 2024)</em> - Childress is in the unusual spot of being an inexperienced veteran. Because of the cancellation of last season, he hasn’t actually seen Varsity minutes, however, he’s played with many of these players for years. The sophomore PG showed his toughness on this day, losing a tooth in an intense scrimmage. He identifies his role as a "defensive stopper" with "the ability to stay in front of opposing ballhandlers". </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sleepers: </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Elijah-Johnson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1272451 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Elijah-Johnson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1272222" first="Elijah" last="Johnson"] <em>6’1 SG 2022</em> - If basketball doesn’t work out the gridiron could be in Johnson’s future. The SG is a uber high-energy guy with a relentless motor. He attacked downhill and aggressively in the scrimmage I watched. His play today certainly showed that he’s put in the work, but his confidence may be his biggest skill. "I believe in myself, I believe in my coach, and I believe in this team," says Johnson. The Senior is a High Academic Candidate with a 3.7 GPA. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Top Prospect: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lonnie-Bass.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1272452 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lonnie-Bass-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1243526" first="Lonnie" last="Bass"] <em>6’7 PF 2025</em> - Bass gets the nod here, not only for his size but also for his evolving skills. The big man who has spent the majority of his life playing the 5 showed off some promising wing skills during the scrimmage. While he’s still working on improving his ball skills, Bass is a natural rebounder that snags the ball at its highest point with two hands. His size and versatility provide a new dimension to coach Childress's arsenal. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>