Rams boys’ basketball team at 4-2 for preseason, looking to conference opener with Coolidge

Having wrapped up their preseason schedule tighter than a Christmas present, the Maricopa Rams basketball team is ready to begin conference play.

The team finished its preseason with a mark of four and two with a near win over a perennial powerhouse out of Mesa.

“I think we have a talented squad that is only going to get better as the season progresses,” said head coach Andy Branchik.

This season will mark the team’s second playing division 3A hoops, and last year the team finished with a respectable 19-9 record before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

“I think this year we are going to see some improvement in our squad and, hopefully, we can go deeper in the playoffs,” Branchik said.

During their preseason play Terrance Motley stood out on the offensive side of the ball, averaging nearly 20 points per game. Other standouts in the preseason that Branchik will count on to improve the team are seniors Josh Gonzales, Larson Arey and Santino Smith.

However, there is one thing that none of the players can provide that Branchik said he believes can make a huge difference this season. Community support.

“We need to put on a good game and get the community behind us, which will then in turn motivate our players more,” Branchik said.

The price of admission to the games is a relatively low $5 for adults and $3 for children, and the team has a history of being competitive.

The Rams will kick off their conference opener at home against Coolidge on Dec 16. “If we want to get off to a good start, it is important to secure victories at home,” Branchik said.

File photo