Ram hoopsters pick up two regional wins at home

The Maricopa High School boys’ varsity basketball team picked up two victories over the weekend to boost its regional record to 4-0.

The Rams hosted the Phoenix of Tonopah on Friday night, and the Ram offense controlled the tempo from the tip off. Ram guard Seville Slater drained a three-pointer from the baseline to open up the game. Guard Clinton Teller knocked down a fifteen-foot jumper from the baseline, then found forward Joe Zabawa down low for two off the glass. Ram big man Kenny Klein drained a short baseline jumper, giving the Rams a 14-1 lead.

Maricopa point guard Uli Rojas dished to Slater on the break for an easy two, and Slater had a steal and dish to Chris Miller in the paint for two. Ram slasher Karlyle Stephens had an immediate impact off the bench as he picked off a pass and threw down a one-handed dunk, giving the Rams a 26-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Stephens opened up the second quarter with a put back in the paint for two. Ram guard Sean Soliz came off the bench and drained a three from the corner, stretching the Ram lead to 31-5.

Maricopa Ram Sean Soliz (#32) flies in for a two-pointer against Tonopah Valley Friday night.

Maricopa Rams head coach Rick Abel talks strategy with his players during a timeout in the first half Friday night against Tonopah Valley. The Rams won 90-30.

Guard Robert Parks came off the pine to knock down a three-pointer from the wing. Ram forward Klein drained a baseline jumper and had nice put back in the paint for two. Parks stole the ball and took it coast to coast, giving the Rams a 47-7 lead at the half.

Teller drained a three-pointer from the baseline to open up the third quarter. Rojas found Zabawa down low for two off the window; on the break Rojas threw a lob pass to Slater, who converted the sweet alley-oop lay in. Ram guard Steven Wess knocked down a three from the wing, and on the next Ram offensive procession Teller drained a three from the baseline, giving the Rams a 72-19 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Maricopa Ram Karlyle Stephens (#21) goes high to the basket for two points in the third quarter Friday night against Tonopah Valley.

Maricopa’s Seville Slater (#15) soars to the basket for a lay up in the third quarter Friday night against Tonopah Valley.

Wess knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the fourth, giving the Rams a commanding 78-19 lead. Soliz drained a turn around jumper in the lane, and Ram forward Miller found Stephens cutting to the hoop for two. Wess followed up his own shot down low for two. The Rams went on to win 90-30.

Guard Stephen Wess, who had 18 points, led the Ram scoring, followed by Joe Zabawa with 12, Clinton Teller with 10 and Karlyle Stephens with 8. Robert Parks, Sean Soliz, Kenny Klein and Chris Miller all chipped in seven points apiece.

Maricopa Ram Kenny Klein (#40) goes high to pull down an offensive rebound against Tonopah Valley Friday night.

Maricopa’s Chris Miller (#44) takes a jump shot from the free throw line in the fourth quarter against Tonopah Valley Friday night.

On Saturday night the Rams hosted the Warriors of Baboquivari. The Rams picked up the 74-50 victory behind the scoring of Uli Rojas and Joe Zabawa.

The Rams will be tested this week when they travel to Yuma to take on the Shamrocks of Yuma Catholic (7-12, 1-2). The Rams, 4-0 in region play, are in the driver’s seat of the 2A West Region.

Come out and support Ram boy’s basketball!

Season games remaining (home games in blue):

Jan. 19 (Fri.) Yuma Catholic: 4, 5:30, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 (Sat.) Gila Bend: 5:30, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 (Tues.) Antelope: 4, 5:30,7 p.m.
Jan. 26 (Fri.) San Pasqual: 5:30, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 (Tues.) Tonopah Valley: 5:30, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 (Fri.) Baboquivari: 4, 5:30, 7 p.m.
Feb.7 (Wed.) Yuma Catholic: 4, 5:30, 7 p.m.

Photos by Jeremy Knop