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New faces would be the story for the Newton Rams boy’s basketball program as they eye one other deep playoff run.
Following a 2022 season that noticed the Rams end with a 19-11 document and an Elite Eight look, Barry Browner took over as head coach of Newton with the departure of Charlemagne Gibbons.
Going into his first offseason because the Rams’ head coach, Browner had his work reduce out for him as he adopted a roster that wanted a brand new beginning 5.
“We’re a younger crew. We’ve guys that returned, however they performed close to the tip of final season. So, we have now lots of new guys,” Browner mentioned. “Inexperience has been the important thing with these guys. They’re on an enormous stage now so for them, will probably be totally different.”
Although a big portion of Newton’s gamers have been on final yr’s roster, Browner believes this season will put these gamers in spots that they’ve by no means been in earlier than. Regardless of the problem, Browner feels assured in his gamers.
“We’re asking them to do issues that a few of them have by no means performed. It’ll be totally different,” Browner mentioned. “Some guys have taken the problem, however as we proceed to develop and gel as a crew we’re going to be okay.”
When discussing the gamers that can play key minutes, Browner feels assured in his new beginning group as they proceed to develop of their roles.
“Jabez Jenkins has been right here for all 4 years and is a senior [leader]. Tay Jefferies has actually stepped up for us. Tim Prather performed a bit final yr however is now stepping right into a beginning position. Ted Neal had an outstanding summer time and performed good, he’s going to be an enormous time participant for us. We’ve Zack Harden who’s enjoying soccer, so as soon as their season ends, he will probably be an enormous piece for us,” Browner mentioned. “They haven’t needed to tackle this position and now they’re moving into one thing totally different, filling within the roles of Stephon, Jakai and MJ.”
In Browner’s eyes, Jenkins is seen as a transparent chief within the locker room, and the senior has taken the accountability and ran with it.
“Folks have mentioned I’ve been a pure born chief since I used to be little,” Jenkins mentioned. “I simply take that [role] and assist everybody get higher on and off the court docket.”
From a schematic standpoint, Browner desires to make use of the crew’s athleticism to their benefit in a troublesome Area 4-AAAAAAA.
“We wish to push the tempo. We aren’t that huge so we depend on enjoying quick and getting out,” Browner mentioned. “Our staple is protection, we have now to be a greater defensive unit. One of many issues I speak to them about is, ‘We’ve to win the rebound warfare, we have now to win the free throw warfare.’”
With the gamers’ eyes centered on one other playoff run, Jenkins saved it easy when discussing what this yr’s crew must do in an effort to get again there.
“We simply should work,” Jenkins mentioned. “Work day in time out and simply play laborious.”
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