Team Preview: Mojave Rattlers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching a Rattlers practice is exhausting. It's full court, full effort, full intensity. They run more than the track team, and it's never quiet. Most of the talking takes place on the defensive end, as players have been trained to call out help and remain vocal on defense. Besides from the hardware, not much has changed from a year ago. The Rattlers are going to pressure, and they will come at you in waves, and that's just how the head of the snake likes it. Kejuan Clark is a Mojave lifer, having attended the school and served as an assistant before moving into the big chair. In fact, Clark's roots are so deep in the community he serves, that he sees landmarks everywhere. "Being from this area, and all the kids living in the zone, if I have to take someone home. I'm either passing my old house or Alexander Park or Walnut Rec" The North Las Vegas Native has wasted no time turning his once-maligned Alma Mater into a city brand. "We're still Mojave, so we still don't get the respect, but at the same time, people want to beat you". The target on their back comes honestly as the Rattlers were dominant, finishing last season winning 13 out of their last 14 games, and taking home the first ever city state championship. With the core of the team back, the bar has been raised and Clark is challenging his squad to do something no North Las Vegas team has ever done, win back-to-back state titles. In this article, we preview the Mojave Rattlers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985628"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Feels like I've seen Chapman forever, he was a winner when he played for Centennial, and it's no surprise his arrival signaled success for the Rattlers. He just knows how to play the game, and he does a terrific job of taking pressure off Shaw with his scoring, as well as defending multiple positions, and serving as the top of the press.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1226904"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Sherrad did not participate in the workout, but it's easy to know what role he's going to play. Sherrard is one of the best shooters in the state, and will easily make my top snipers list. He's the perfect piece for a team filled with slashers, as his shooting should open the floor for the squad.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1292251"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I'm excited to see the development of Lochridge. He looked good in the workout. The lefty played under control and with good pace. He shot it well during the workout, using a nice mid range pull up.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1268865"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u0022J-Manu0022 as he is called is the prototypical Rattler. A high energy, high effort guy, Smith was active during the workout, getting deflections and attacking the rim with strong drives.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1142272"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Williams will play an interesting role for the squad. Shooting is always at a premium and he has the ability to do that. With the way the Rattlers play, his ability to change the scoreboard with his three point shooting will have value. His playing time will be tied to his ability to defend. He did a good job showing some toughness, taking a few charges in the workout.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1032098"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"McNeal has always been a tremendous physical speciman, but in the workout he showed some good skill, knocking down jump shots. He's part of the wave of long, strong, athletic players that the Rattlers can throw at teams.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1037513"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Cousins didn't make the workout, but he'll make an impact for the team. I saw him play a little during the summer and he improved his ball skills. Like many of the Rattlers, expect his calling card to be on the defensive end, as Cousins is a versatile defender that will guard on the perimeter and interior.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1148004"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Hoofkin is one of the top glue guys in the state. He brings a physical precense to the team, using his strength to push taller bigs off the block. He rebounds the ball well, using his strong hands to clean the glass at a high rate.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637747872ea6a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Newcomers:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665140"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jackson was a revelation. The sophomore guard earned his way onto the varsity roster with his play on the JV. He showed off a smooth game, and a little dawg. The quick jumping guard had a couple big time blocks, showing that he'll fit right in with the Rattlers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1665529"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Henderson is a two sport player, having come off a successful football season. It was impossible to ignore his energy and rebounding in the workout, as he used his body to carve out space to clean the glass. With so many bigs in 4A this year, the Rattlers are going to need Henderson's inside precense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637747872eab9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sleepers:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1572588"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"As if the rich needed to get richer, Simmons is another talented athlete for the team. He has the strength to help in the interor, but like many of the players he'll be a force defending in the Rattlers full court press.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637747872eadf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Prospect:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268866"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Shaw had one of the best freshman seasons in recent memory. He gave the Rattlers consistent scoring night in and night out, en route to being named MVP of the 4A state tournament. Shaw is a no - nonsense player, that is described by teamamtes as a first in last out type of player. He's improved his shooting and athleticism, and looks prepared to help spearhead the Rattlers repeat attempt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637747872eb03"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxnt8bDsI74","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=dxnt8bDsI74 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->