Feature photo by: Jeffrey Afriyie – Junior Isaiah Jamison goes up for a layup through contact from the opposing team. The white team won the boys Red and White game Tuesday, November 20th.
The Rangeview basketball team has been preparing for this season from the start of the 2018-2019 school year: they have open gyms before and after school, a basketball class during 4th period and club teams that they joined over the summer.
The basketball team had four seniors graduate last season who are currently playing for a college team, but have young players returning this year.
Some of the players say they did not end their last season the way they wanted to. “I expected us to make it far in the playoffs and losing to Eaglecrest was a bummer,” senior captain, Jodaun Dotson stated, “but I know we’ll have a better season this year.”
Their last season ended with the boys losing in the second round of the playoffs.That loss was to Eaglecrest High School with a final score of 67-54. Their season record was 18-7 and they also won the East Metro Athletic Conference(EMAC) last season.
The boys have qualified for state nine years in a row; The closest the basketball team has gotten to the State Championship is the Final Four in 2016 and 2012.
The basketball team has been preparing for this season from the start of the 2018-2019 school year: they have open gyms before and after school, a basketball class during 4th period and club teams that they joined over the summer.
“My goal for basketball is to give them [the players] something every single day to get better,” basketball head coach Shawn Palmer said. “We give them basketball class and encourage them to take the opportunity to get better, because if you’re not getting better, then what are you doing?”
Many players say that the off-season activities have prepared them for the season and know that it will show in their games — they can not wait for the season to begin.
“I think I am very prepared for the season, because we’ve been going through some nice summer basketball and training,” junior basketball player Obi Agbim stated. “It should be a great season and I can’t wait.”
The basketball team is coming into the season ranked 8th in the 5A league in Colorado by CHSAA and 5th by Prep Hoops.
The basketball team have an exhibition match on the road against Overland on Friday, November 30th, at 6:30pm. Their first game, which is a home game, is against Prairie View on December 4th at 7:00pm.
For more information about the basketball season click here.
