RAMPART 70
CORONADO 58
(1/9/09)

BY MARTY CESARIO

Two teams at a fork in the road. And both coaches knew it. Coronado's DAN HUGILL squad won their first 6 games this season. Meanwhile, J'ON ST. CLAIR and Rampart fired out of the gates with a 7-0 start. But both teams were now coming off losses to start play in the Springs Metro League. So what was it gonna be? Which squad was going to get back on track? Which would reclaim that feeling that this season might be special? As St. Clair pointed out to me before the game, "... this one will tell us a lot about who we are."

The play of the Rams told me a few things. They're a team. No stars. Well-rounded. Relentless. Four players average double-digits in scoring. Nobody over 11 points per game. They are thick in personnel and depth. 14 on the official roster. 10 of them consistently play quality minutes. "Every starter has a buddy," as St. Clair put it. Good thing for Rampart. In a game that many would admit was not exactly pretty, that buddy system prevailed.

From the tip, all of us inside the Coronado gym could sense that the winners would have to hustle their way to earn victory. Big men blocked shots near the rim. Rebounders constantly battled for tipped balls. Rampart's LANCE EVANS along with J.R. ROMAN were at war with Coronado bruiser ISAAC PEPPERS. Up top and in the open, though, it was the Rams guards who dominated-- one of two critical reasons why Rampart picked up the win. CHASE HOING... amazing! JARIAN COLEMAN... outstanding! These guys proved to me they are clearly some of the best in the state at defending the dribble. Cougar ball-handlers kept trying to challenge them... and kept getting their pockets picked or drives disrupted. It created full-court chaos and that definitely benefitted Rampart.

Eventually, Rampart shooters settled enough to find and hit open shots. ALEX KOEHLER nailed a pair of 3-Balls while JACOB KIMSEY added another-- it was the Rams who gained control early with a 17-11 lead after the first quarter. The Cougars did counter in the next frame as DEVON BURNETT, who was held scoreless in the first, elevated his effort to score 10 in the second to help Coronado tie it up by halftime. But that depth and defense for Rampart could never be countered. It wore down the Cougars and compelled referees to blow whistles-- which is the other critical reason for the Rams victory: Free throws. Rams reached the bonus in both halves. Earned double-bonus with 5:00 left in the 4th quarter. They were shooting free shots quite often. And they hit 'em. With Hoing, Kimsey, and DEVIN MOHN enjoying life at the line, Rampart put up 31 points in the 4th quarter. And it was all capped by a clutch moment for our Skate City Player-of-the-Game. With just under one minute to play, CORONADO was called for another open-court foul along with a technical. Rams Junior, ALEX KOEHLER, stepped to the stripe with FOUR to shoot. He sunk every one of them. Very huge. Game over.

Rampart hadn't come close to a .500 record in their previous five seasons. Now they're 8-1.

Final: 70-58. RR (8-1) Koehler 15. CC (7-3) Foley 17, Schmidt 14. .