Rams basketball team starts with tourney championship

Maricopa boys basketball coach Jake Neill entered his third season with more than high hopes.

The Rams finished last season 6-22 because of injuries and other issues, but they should have a potentially high-scoring offense this season. Returning players Tommy Jensen and Isaiah Pedro averaged 10.1 and 9 points a game last season, respectively.

MHS has already racked up as many wins as it did all of last season by sweeping through the Give Thanks Hoops Classic Tournament at Phoenix Horizon Honors over the Thanksgiving break. They won all six games and defeated the host team 57-25 in the championship game. Johnny Johnson, a transfer from Desert Vista, Jamarcus Rideau and Pedro were all named to the All-Tournament team.

“This is the best offensive team that I have had here at Maricopa, and I really think that teams will have trouble guarding us,” Neill said. “With that being said, it is also the smallest team I have had here. Most nights we will be physically outmatched by bigger teams.

“If we can get to where we can rebound with anybody, play great defense and outwork the opponent, we will give ourselves a chance to win, no matter who we play.

“Our size won’t matter if we can do those three things,” Neill said. “If we can do that on a consistent basis, the wins will come and we’ll give ourselves a chance to get in (the playoffs).”

Endurance may be key. In their first regular-season game at Coronado Dec. 4, the Rams built a large lead by holding the Dons to single digits in both the second and third quarter. But Coronado, a team the MHS had defeated in the tournament, came back big with 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the Rams ultimately lost 62-60.

It was section game, bringing the MHS record to 6-1 (0-1). Maricopa plays Vista Grande Dec. 10 in its first home game.

***ADVERTISEMENT***“What many people don’t know is how difficult it actually is to qualify for the playoffs. There are nearly 70 teams in Division II, and only 24 make the playoffs. We are up to the challenge though, and that is one of our goals for this season.”

So far, Johnny Johnson leads the team in total scoring with 111 points. He also has 43 rebounds, 14 assists and 21 steals. Rideau has 54 total points, 29 rebounds, 14 assists and 21 steals. Freshman Josh Johnson has 58 points, 25 rebounds, 26 assists and 21 steals.

Pedro has 41 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and six steals. Jensen has 50 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists.

“I am really looking forward to this season,” Neill said. “We have a group of great guys. Good students and athletes who are working hard on the court and in the classroom.

“They really get along and I think you will see that translate into quality team on the court,” he added. “I truly believe that if we keep progressing as we have been this will be a much better season than last year.”

Maricopa will face tough competition from Gilbert Christian, Tempe, Tempe Marcos de Niza and Seton Catholic in Division II, Section 4 play.

“Right now, I would say that there are four teams at the top of our section that are going to be difficult for anybody to beat,” Neill said.

Raquel Hendrickson contributed to this story.

Home Basketball Games

Tipoff for varsity games is 7 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m. and frosh 4 p.m.

Dec. 9 Coolidge (JV and frosh only)
Dec. 10 Vista Grande
Dec. 12 Casa Grande
Jan. 6 McClintock
Jan. 13 Higley
Jan. 20 Tempe
Jan. 29 Coronado
Feb. 2 Marcos de Niza
Feb. 6 Poston Butte*

* Senior Night