Basketball Preview

In the 2007/2008 season, the R.H.S. Boys Basketball team went 22-4 and finished in the top eight in the state. For the 2009/2010 season, Coach Palmer and the new varsity team hope to pick up the pace as they did two years ago.


To help achieve this, the team now has Coach Sullivan to help out. “Coach Sullivan is a basketball fanatic; he is a former head coach and he knows a lot of great preparation.” said Head Coach Palmer. “Coach Sullivan brings out the leaders in people,” said senior captain Yoshio Allen.

As for the upcoming season, Palmer looks forward to working with the boys in the program who have been under him for a while. “They understand my expectations and they could be the best they could be,” said Palmer.

“Coach Palmer really gives us the confidence we need to win games and be our best every game,” said Allen. “The confidence that we can break .500 and go to the playoffs.” Coach Palmer has high hopes for his new team and his key players in the new season.

“There are three guys that will step it up for us: Yoshio Allen, Jamal Wright (junior), and Jeffery Solarin (junior),” said Palmer. Allen had a combined 157 points last season, 11 blocked shots, 35 offensive rebounds, 68 defensive rebounds, 9 steals and 56% from field-goal range last season. The 6’5” center is intended to be the Raider’s leading scorer in the 09/10 season. “I think I have great leadership on the court and I hope to help score and block shots,” said Allen. Jamal Wright, a junior guard had a 67% free-throw percentage and helped last year as a sophomore. “Jamal brings a different energy to the court, we need that,” said teammate Allen. Other starting varsity players include senior point guard Nick Hawkins, junior Jaleel Awini, and senior Alec Maybin.

Last season was a struggle for the Raiders. It included close losses to Aurora Central, Montbello, Littleton, and Gateway. To make a better season this year, the boys must make some changes. “We need to improve defensively, be more physical, and have a more balanced attack to be more successful this year,” said Palmer.

As for their main competitors, teams like Regis Jesuit and Gateway are at the top of the list. “Regis hasn’t lost any of their starters, they won 5A last year,” said Allen. Palmer agreed and also said that Gateway and Highlands Ranch will be big competitors in the division.

With all these things in mind, the R.H.S. boys basketball team has impressed and will for many years to come. The teams base on leadership and fundamentals is what makes great young men and will continue to. “We need to get back to how we were two years ago,” said Palmer. “The fast pace and up tempo basketball is what wins games.”

-Connor Donohue