Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
One day off. That was all the time Matt Martinez had off between football and basketball season.
A two-year starter at point guard and dual-threat quarterback on the Rams’ state quarterfinal team, Martinez is used to the short turnaround between seasons.
“It’s really fast,” Martinez said. “We came back home from out last football game Saturday and we had Sunday off before we’re right back here in the gym. It’s really fast, but that’s the way its been my whole high school career. Just sport after sport.”
Besides Martinez, forwards Adam Hernandez, Jeremie Karngbaye John Young and Paul Conrow all saw time for the Rams varsity, which graduated eight seniors from a unit that went 15-14 and reached the state quarterfinals.
“Our big guys, Hernandez (6-2) and Karngbaye (6-4), will be big for us this year,” Rams coach Rickie McBroom said. “Also Young (6-1) and Conrow (6-1), we feel real confident with them. They did real well this summer against people.”
link Joshua Lucero: Staff photo
Rams sophomore Jeremy Karngbaye maneuvers around a teammate on his way to the basket Monday afternoon during practice at Ram Athletic Center.
Junior Bronte Staugaard and senior Taz Tipton will join Martinez in the backcourt.
McBroom said the Rams will have nine or 10 players in their rotation in order to keep everyone fresh. They plan to push the ball on offense and press on defense before falling back into a matchup zone.
“We plan on playing a lot of kids and we’re going to try and press teams and wear them out,” McBroom said.
He said it will take time for the team to jell.
“Our chemistry is going to come together as we go,” McBroom said. “We did play a lot together this summer, but our chemistry is not going to be as good as it’s going to get. We are where we are, and we’ll move from there.”
The realization that his high school career is coming to a close is starting to hit Martinez.
“It’s sad,” he said. “It sucks that it has to come to an end. My whole life has been based on sports ever since I was a kid. To finally see it come to an end, I just want to make the most of it and work hard every day so I have no regrets.”
The Rams open their season tonight against defending Class 4A (now 5A) champion Roswell High.
McBroom knows facing tough opponents early will help his team once the district season starts.
“We have a very, very tough schedule,” McBroom said. “But we need to (play that) in order for us to be prepared for the postseason.”
Despite not getting much practice time before Monday, McBroom knows his team is ready to get the season started and to find out where it stands.
“We’re excited because we need to play a game,” McBroom said. “Of course, I’m a coach so I’m nervous, but I’m looking forward to it.
“When you play higher teams like Roswell High you need to get a win because it helps with playoff seeding. It’s strange to start thinking about the postseason before your first game, but we’re excited.”
FYI
• 2013-2-14 record: 15-14, lost to Hope Christian in the Class 3A
quarterfinals
• Coach: Rickie McBroom, third season (33-25)
• Home record: 4-5
• Road record: 7-5
• Neutral court: 4-4
• Offense: 53.4 ppg
• Defense: 52.3 ppg