Having coached high school basketball for more than two decades, Brock Ramsey knows a thing or two about playing well into February and March.
Nineteen trips to the postseason over the course of 24 years helps back that up.
“I’ve taken some young teams to regionals and teams that shouldn’t have been in the playoffs, I’ve gotten them to the playoffs,” Ramsey said.
Perhaps that’s why Ramsey, who enters his first year at the helm of the Lehman Lady Lobos, didn’t flinch when he realized only one starter was returning to the program from a year ago.
For Ramsey, it doesn’t alter his primary expectation of earning playoff berth.
“Not sure if we can do that here or not, but we’re going to get after it every day and see what happens,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey, who was hired this spring, inherits a program that’s gone through tremendous tumult in recent months. Along with a new coach is an entirely new and inexperienced squad.
Originally, Lehman was supposed to have 10 players returning from last year. Lady Lobo senior Alexis Aguilar is the lone player that carried over. All nine others are at different schools.
The current crop of Lady Lobos was supposed to be this season’s junior varsity squad, Ramsey said. However, Ramsey said the current crop of Lady Lobos fits with the fast paced, high intensity style he brings.
By utilizing the full-court press, Ramsey feels it helps to equalize teams on the court, no matter their experience or talent levels.
So far, Ramsey said the Lady Lobos have bought into the press and have worked hard to perfect it. Convincing his players they’re not a half-court team this season was a key challenge for him and his staff early on.
Leading the way will be Aguilar, as well as junior Grace Duray, senior Ari Daniels and Keora Williams.
“With our limited experience, we have to make it a fast-paced game and get a lot of shots up,” Ramsey said. “We don’t have great shooters, but our job is to put the ball up, rebound and put it up again.”
Perhaps the largest hurdle is fostering a winning mentality on the court, Ramsey said. He felt the lack of banners in the Den has relegated Lehman’s girls basketball program to a “participation sport.”
“I’m not a participation coach,” Ramsey said. “I told the girls that right off the bat. If you’re here just to participate, you’re not playing.”
Ramsey said players have come to understand those expecations. He felt it will be key as they enter a grueling 25-6A that features difficult contests each week.
Even so, Ramsey said the Lady Lobos will be gunning for a playoff spot nonetheless.
“We’re not giving them (district opponents) the game. We’re going to get after it,” Ramsey said.
