The Lacombe Composite High School Senior Men’s Rams Basketball Team had a disappointing ending against the Lindsay Thurber Raiders in the City Championship semifinal this year, but appears poised to take another step next year.
A big part of reaching the next level will be breakout star Jared Gamble, who upped his scoring average into the 20s this year to lead his team.
“The whole team moving the ball really helped me. I was trying to stay focused throughout the year and a lot of hard work over the summer really payed off,” Gamble said.
Gamble hopes another year of hard will pay even more dividends next season.
“I’m really hoping we can jump the gun at the beginning of the season. We want to get going fast and work on our systems. We want to come out there, not have to learn the system and get ready to win,” Gamble said.
Implementing that system will be third-year Rams Coach Tylor Johannesson, who Gamble said really helped him with his composure on the court and also putting him and his teammates in the right places to succeed.
Johannesson sent a clear message to Gamble to work on his playmaking this offseason.
“I want to get in the gym with my team and get up shots, while working on passing the ball and ball handling. All these basic things that end up going a long way,” he said.
Gamble said he tries to carve his own niche on the court but does like the game of NBA Brooklyn Nets Point Guard Kyrie Irving.
“He is more like a slashing, playmaker guy. He can shoot, drive really well and feed his teammates when he wants to,” he said.
Unfortunately for Gamble and his teammates, the COVID-19 quarantined altered their offseason. For Gamble, that meant not playing on the Red Deer College Club team under the tutelage of Raiders Coach Joel Carroll.
“I was looking forward to playing with some good kids in other leagues. I wanted to get some exposure and work on my game. I know he is a good coach,” he said.
Gamble has instead resorted to working out in his basement while waiting for the quarantine to end.
“I’ll be back out on the outdoor court when the snow is all gone,” he said.
Next year, Gamble said the Rams will be relying on returning veterans Kayden Cook, Cole Lardner and Carson Prinz to help carry the Rams over stiff competition — including the Notre Dame Cougars who will be stacked with veteran ballers.
“Next year Notre Dame will be our bigger competition. I know they have a young team this year and they aren’t losing many guys. It is something to look forward to,” Gamble said.
Ultimately, keeping focus throughout the season will be key the Rams ongoing success.
“I think that is what we need to do, along with focusing on our game,” he said.
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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