Inexperienced Rams expect to be competitive

PORTALES - Experience is lacking, but first-year Portales High boys basketball coach Randy McBroom is confident the Rams will be competitive in 2021-22.

McBroom is replacing his father, Rickie, after nine seasons as his dad's assistant. PHS returns just three players from last spring's COVID-shortened 2-6 season (1-4 District 4-4A), including leading scorer (11.6 ppg) and rebounder (8.1 rpg) Greydon Rigsby, a 6-foot-4 senior post.

Still, the younger McBroom remains confident as the Rams head into Monday's season opener at Eunice.

"We really had a great off-season," he said. "We're focused on getting stronger and shooting the basketball better, and we've really focused on defense."

Others back with varsity experience are senior guard Alex Garcia and senior guard/forward Quadale Brown.

Garcia said some things have changed and some haven't for the team.

"It's a little different with Randy," he said. "We still have some of the same concepts, but we're just adding to them."

As with his coach, Garcia thinks the Rams can make some noise this season.

"We understand that people are writing us off already, but we don't see it that way," he said. "We just have to play like a team, and work each and every day to get better.

"We have a bunch of new guys, but we expect to win a lot this year."

McBroom noted that last year's junior varsity won the JV District 4-4A title and some of those players should help. Senior guard Kaden Hightower is a 3-point threat, while sophomore guard Elijah Kladiihbah brings some athleticism to the team.

Others McBroom thinks will play key roles are juniors Xodus Gomez, Davian Lucero, Eli Gomez, Markus Aranda and Emmanuel Diahn. The Gomezes are brothers.

McBroom said the Rams weren't that far away from a much better record last spring.

"We obviously didn't finish where we wanted to, but nobody just blew us out," he said. "I'm proud of how hard these kids have worked."

Of course, Rigsby figures to have a bigger load on his plate this time around.

"He had a few games last (spring) where he showed what he's capable of," McBroom said.

Essentially, none of these players has been to the postseason, something Garcia wants to do something about.

"I want to change that this year," he said.

In the district, Artesia finished second in last year's state tournament and figures to be formidable again.

"Artesia has to be the favorite just because (of that)," McBroom said. "They graduated one of their (key) big men, though."

Meantime, Lovington has a strong junior/senior group coming through and the Wildcats have been solid in most sports, including state titles in football and soccer this fall. And Roswell Goddard is usually in the mix.

The Rams are ready, though, McBroom said.

"With the work we've put in, we're ready to get out on the floor."