Building a Contender: Coach Laatsch’s Makos Have the Pieces

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Orange Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 4A Area 1&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Chris Laatsch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 17-13&nbsp;(According to maxpreps.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Orangebeachboysbasketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Players:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748253' first='Lee' last='Steele']</strong> (6'6/SG/'28/Orange Beach)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: lee3steele</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Lee is an absolute stud and one of the rising stars in the state. As just a freshman last season, he led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. With his combination of size and skill at the shooting guard position, he has a chance to be special. His smooth, confident perimeter stroke allows him to consistently score from beyond the arc, whether off the catch, in rhythm, or coming off screens. His three-point shooting is the clear strength of his game, making him a dangerous perimeter weapon opponents must always account for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2950846' first='Miller' last='Day']</strong> (6'3/F/'27/Orange Beach)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: millerday2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Miller plays with relentless effort and is the emotional leader of this group. He is an exceptional rebounder who embraces physical play and sets the tone with his energy on both ends of the floor. His hustle is contagious and gives the Makos a competitive edge every night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748942' first='Connor' last='Ford']</strong> (6'1/CG/'28/Orange Beach)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: connorford_09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Connor started every game as a freshman last season, a testament to his maturity and skill. He knocked down 42% of his three-point attempts, making him one of the team's most consistent perimeter threats. Defenses cannot afford to lose track of him, as his ability to stretch the floor changes the spacing of the game. He is also a tough competitor who commits himself on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Role Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sutton Rambo</strong> (IG: suttonrambo).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sutton is steadily improving and has the potential to be an impact player this season. The coaching staff is excited about his ability to attack off the bounce and create pressure on the rim, while also providing toughness on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Returning Starters:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2950846' first='Miller' last='Day'] (F/11th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2748253' first='Lee' last='Steele'] (SG/10th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2748942' first='Connor' last='Ford'] (CG/10th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What To Expect From The Makos This Season:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Laatsch wants his team to push the pace and play faster than they did a year ago. While he is known for his creativity on the offensive end, he has built his reputation on tough, gritty defensive teams. Expect this group to embrace that mentality and play with a chip on their shoulder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What Will It Take for The Makos To Win State?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Laatsch believes the formula is simple: play unselfishly, compete with maximum effort, and be collectively stronger than their opponents. If the Makos buy into that identity, they will give themselves a real chance to make a deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->