With a strong roster in tow, Rams boys basketball is feeling optimistic about the upcoming season, after last year’s 15-12 record and an early State tournament loss against Union City. The Rams hope to start off strong in their season-opener game at Jefferson on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 10 a.m.

“If we can lock in and stay vocal during games, then there is no one who can outplay us,” returning senior Joey Tomaino said. “Pushing the ball up the floor is an emphasis this year, since we lost a lot of sizes this year.”

Randolph had a strong season last year, with a combined 1,470 points and a winning record, but a number of the team leaders graduated, including stat leaders Brendan Cox, Sean Lawler and Kyle Davidson.

“Many of the graduated seniors were taller guys that could match up with pretty much anyone on the court,” Tomaino added. “To make up for our lack of size we need to use our quickness to our advantage and get the ball up the floor before the other team can react.”

To replace the lost talent, a strong new leadership team has been put in place, including senior captain Jake Jenisch, along with junior captains Ryan Kress and Rocco Albano, all of whom were chosen for both their impressive statistics and good character. Kress was an all-conference player as a sophomore last year, trailing Cox as a stat leader with 309 points and leading the team with 124 assists. He is expected to only improve during his junior season.

“We’ll be looking to [Kress] to carry us in some statistical categories,” head coach Nick Lavender said. “Rocco Albano and Jake Jenisch will also play large roles with their scoring and rebounding abilities. Tomaino, Sean Clark and Jake Miller have also looked good so far in scrimmages.”

Returning varsity players this year include seniors Tomaino and James Kratochvil. Consistent role players from last year, seniors Clark and Michael Nowlin, junior Andrew Taurman and sophomore Vincent LoVerde, were officially added to the roster this year. New additions include senior Chris Petite Frere, juniors Miller and Joey Errico and sophomore AJ Terry.

“Even though I’m a junior, I want to push all my guys to the best they can be and be the dominating team I know we have inside of us,” Albano explained. “We have a lot of great athletes that know how to play the game and I believe that if each person pushes not only their teammates but themselves, we will have a very successful year.”