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Blowouts Help Rams Develop Depth

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By LEE DIEKEMPER, Tribune Correspondent

Published: January 8, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Just before the Christmas break, Ridgewood High's boys basketball squad had lost its first game of the season to Clearwater. At the time, Rams coach Gary Anders suggested that for Ridgewood to make a run at the state tournament, the team needed to develop a few things.

One of the elements the Rams needed was depth off its bench.

After winning both games in the William G. Hulton Jr. Ram Classic on Thursday and Friday, the Rams just might be creating sufficient depth, Anders said. Part of that came as a result of lopsided victories: 75-37 over Freedom and 72-31 over Miami Archbishop Carroll. The easy wins gave Anders a chance to allow reserve players to log large chunks of playing time.

"It gave us an opportunity to give some players some valuable experience," Anders said.

As a result, Anders can see progress made in depth. Three weeks ago he was hoping to find reliable seventh, eighth and maybe a ninth player coming off the bench.

"Bryan Jones has been making steady progress; he's taken bigger steps," Anders said. "Addias Tolliver, we have looked to him first to come off the bench but he has had some back problems, but he has played well. Byronell Arline is just now getting back into shape and he has made contributions off the bench. And Rob Verra gave us some good minutes.

"If you can get to seven or eight or a luxury would be nine guys off the bench, then you are doing well. They all are making good steps."

But it hasn't just been reserve players logging playing time that has pleased Anders. Other elements also have satisfied him, arguably the recent play of guard Alvin Satram topping the list.

"He has been excellent shooting the ball," Anders said.

Even some of Anders' players have noticed improvement in other areas.

"Before, people weren't getting to the spots on the floor they needed to be," guard Mike Lawrence said of the Rams' transition game. "Now, people are getting to those spots and doing what they are supposed to do."

"I think we are rebounding well," forward Lukas Poderis said. "We've actually gotten better at rebounding by boxing out and helping out on defense."

Lawrence said the next week or two could determine just how strong of a postseason threat the Rams might be.

"It's going to be a tough stretch and we'll see what we can do," Lawrence said. He said Anders "has told us to be ready and be tough. We'll have to get in shape and work hard in practice. Every day we have to come to practice and get better somehow."

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