Team Preview: Rancho Rams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not easy being a head coach. Kei Childress is late for his team's practice, it's not because the coach is particularly keen on tardiness, it's simply out of self-preservation. Instead of organizing drills and running practice, the coach had to stop to pick up his starting PG and Center. Such is the life of a high school coach in East Side Las Vegas. For this practice, Childress doesn't get to use his home gym, instead, his squad will train off campus inside the ROTC building. While these circumstances may all seem benign, they go a long way in hindering the success of his program. Despite the obstacles, Childress's team improved from 4 wins in his first season, to 12 last year. They are a young group, but they are different from previous squads in the fact that even in defeat, they've battled against quality opponents "We're better prepared for success (this year)" says Childress. Judging by what I saw in the practice, he may be right. The Rams have size, shooting, and ballhandling, and even though they're in one of the toughest divisions in 4A, they like their chances of earning a playoff birth. In this article, we take a look at the Rancho Rams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587221,"width":317,"height":293,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jordan-Childress-2-1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jordan-Childress-2-1-1024x946.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587221" width="317" height="293"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='987162' first='Jordan' last='Childress'] <em>6'0 PG 2024 6.6ppg 3.3rpg 2apg 1.5spg (#34PHN 2024) </em>- Childress will be a big determining factor in the success of the Rams. He's one of the craftiest guards in the city, evident by his performance during the practice. Childress used pump fakes and hesitations to freeze many of his teammates allowing him to score in the paint. His scoring we'll help, but the team will need his ballhandling and defense if they're going to reach their PG's lofty goals. "I always think we should win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1292285' first='Caleb' last='Roston'] <em>6'2 SG 2024 2.7ppg 1.3rpg (#40PHN 2024)</em> - Roston wasn't at the practice, however, according to coach Childress, he should have a big impact on the team. I've liked the high-energy junior for some time, and am excited to see what level he takes his game to next. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587215,"width":321,"height":241,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jakoi-Lide-2-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jakoi-Lide-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587215" width="321" height="241"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1253142' first='Jakoi' last='Lide'] <em>5'11 PG 2025 8.2 1.5rpg (#36PHN 2025) </em>- Lide is going to make his first appearance on my all-irrational confidence list this season. He also has a chance to make my all-showtime list. The PG is a deep-range shooter, who has improved his slashing and finishing ability. I love his confidence on and off the court, Lide assured me that despite his deep range shooting ability, that passing is his best skill. He is coming off a season where he was one of the highest-scoring freshman guards in the 4A conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Newcomers: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587222,"width":313,"height":271,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jailen-Childress-1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jailen-Childress-1-1024x887.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587222" width="313" height="271"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1535761' first='Jailen' last='Childress'] <em>5'11 PG 2025</em> 2.7ppg 1.5rpg 1apg - Childress has a chance to make a big leap this season. According to his HC, "for us to be good "he has to be good" The freshman struggled with a couple setbacks last season, including a broken ankle that sidelined him for some time. He looks healthy and ready to contribute. Childress is a versatile player, with several skills including slashing and outside shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587224,"width":307,"height":309,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Johbarrii-Badger-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Johbarrii-Badger-1014x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587224" width="307" height="309"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1534010' first='Johbarri' last='Badger'] <em>6'1 SF 2025 </em>- Badger is a newcomer that will provide defense and additional depth. He will also provide rebounding, and he displayed that in the practice, snagging a sick out of area board. He plays hard and has a chance to be one of my high-motor guys this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587230,"width":311,"height":233,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Autin-Onyekone-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Autin-Onyekone-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587230" width="311" height="233"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Onykekone</strong> <em>6'4 PF 2026 </em>- There is a reason coach Childress is so optimistic about the future, and it's because of players like Onyekone. The raw big, is a strong freshman, that battled back and for with starting center RJ Whittle during the practice. He moves well, for a man his size, the rate of his development may determine how quickly Rancho is a playoff team, this year and in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sleeper:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587231,"width":319,"height":285,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Ahmad-Koromo-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Ahmad-Koromo-1024x919.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587231" width="319" height="285"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587232' first='Ahmad' last='Korona']</strong> <em>6'2 SF 2025</em> - Korona was injured and did not participate in the workout, however, according to coach Childress, he will be an integral part of the team this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Prospects:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1587233,"width":319,"height":320,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/RJ-Whittle-2.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/RJ-Whittle-2-1018x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1587233" width="319" height="320"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='986966' first='R'zha' last='Whittle']<em> 6'8 C 2024 10.7ppg 7.8rpg (#22PHN 2024)</em> - Whittle looked physically good in the practice. He has slimmed down quite a bit and can no longer be looked at as simply a banger post. What's remarkable is that he has managed to maintain his strength despite losing some mass. A few weeks ago I spoke with Whittle about finishing more with his left hand, and sure enough in the practice, you could find the big man making an effort to finish post moves with his off-hand. With a 3.5 GPA, Whittle is an extremely attractive prospect to several small schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1WNR7fDQPs","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1WNR7fDQPs </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->