According to Lane, wait for the encore.
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The Rams have a solid nucleus this year with nine seniors, three juniors and one sophomore, and Lane said Ross is ready to take another big step.
“We had all that success, and it was due to the kids,” Lane said. “I was blessed to have them last year, and I am blessed to have most of them back this year. The coaching staff and kids worked hard to change the culture last year, and I can tell you I am very excited to see what this group can do.
“Our strength will be our seniors with their veteran leadership. The guys have bought in to our system, and I feel we will be a very competitive team against anyone.”
Ross graduated the SWOC Player of the Year, leading scorer Landen Angel. While losing a 1,000-point scorer isn’t ideal, Lane said this year opposing teams will have a much harder time figuring out who to take away at clutch time.
“We don’t have a starting five,” Lane joked. “I love the fact we have a bunch of guys who are pushing each other, and sheer competition will determine who starts games. With the talent level, we haven’t had to worry about complacency as the guys understand they don’t have guaranteed spots.”
Six-foot senior guard Dylan Zimmerman and 5-9 senior guard Ben Yeager are the Rams’ leading returning scorers after punching in 8 points a game last year. Seniors Cody Geers and Cooper Shields had 4.6 and 3.7 a game, respectively.
Zimmerman is the Rams’ point guard, while Lane is looking for Shields and Yeager to improve their outside shooting with Angel graduated.
Lane said 6-0 junior guard Cole Gronas has looked good so far after playing JV last year, while Angel’s little brother, 6-1 guard Kerner, can come off the bench and hit big shots.
One big weakness Lane noted was the Rams’ lack of size. According to the coach, Ross will have to excel on the defensive end and force turnovers with their press.
“I was a very big D guy when I played here, and that was what I was known for in college,” Lane said. “Our size is something we have to overcome with our speed. The guys worked hard on the defensive end last year, and they are buying in even more this year.”
Seniors Isaiah Brinck, Jordan Hodge, Sean Lange and Tyler Stenger, along with juniors Blake Lakes and Jack Valentine, are going to see key minutes. Lane said all are capable of stepping up on any given night.
“We have a lot of weapons,” he added. “We have a lot of kids who are athletic. We want to play with a lot of tempo and get up and down the court. “
Ross was bounced by Clinton-Massie last year in the first round of the Division II sectional, a game Lane said he hopes his troops use for motivation.
“Yeah, I hope it adds fuel to their fire,” Lane said. “We want to compete for the league and win a first-round tourney game. These guys got to see the tourney last year and how it can end if you don’t knock down shots. I hope it gives them a little extra juice.”
Ross Rams
Coach: David Lane (second season)
2017-18 Record: 15-8 overall, 9-3 SWOC (second place)
OHSAA Classification: Division II
Schedule: Nov. 30 — at Taylor, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 1 — Lockland, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 4 — at Mariemont, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 7 — at Harrison, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 8 — at East Central (Ind.), 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15 — at Reading, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18 — at Mount Healthy, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21 — Edgewood, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 28 — at Northwest, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 4 — at Little Miami, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 5 — at Eaton, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 11 — Talawanda, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 15 — Goshen, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 18 — Harrison, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 22 — Mount Healthy, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 25 — at Edgewood, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 29 — Miami Valley, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 1 — Northwest, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 5 — Little Miami, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 9 — Badin, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 12 — at Monroe, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 15 — at Talawanda, 7:30 p.m.
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