Rams reload with youth

Down a coach and nine seniors, a lot has changed for the Rams (11-11 in 2006-07) since last year’s first non-losing season in four years. Nevertheless, Kissal and his young charges are keen on building upon last year’s progress.

The biggest factor in Rockville’s surge last year — it was 2-20 the previous year — was experience, improved basketball IQ and court prowess. The Rams don’t have those luxuries this year without any returning starters and only three returning varsity players at all, none of which saw much playing time last year.

But Rockville does have talent. And the chemistry is there — most of them played on junior varsity together last year. If they have a short learning curve, and can adjust quickly to the rigors of varsity basketball, they just might be able to pull off some upsets.

‘‘This is a team that has no varsity experience and experience is important,” first-year Rams coach G.J. Kissal said. ‘‘But our early goal is to learn as much as we can about varsity competition early so by the time we’re into January and February, our goal is to be a dangerous team to play.

‘‘Early on we’ll probably be up and down. We’ll do some things people don’t think we can do, and then we’ll probably lose some games we shouldn’t lose. But we’re just learning right now. But this is a good group of guys and we’ll get better.”

Rockville doesn’t have much height, so rebounding could be a struggle. Where it’ll get its opponents is with its feistiness, its aggression and fearlessness. Led by 5-foot-9 junior guard Paul Rosiak and 6-0 sophomore guard Rainer Tandaju, the Rams should be a strong defensive bunch, capable of wearing down their opponents. A high-pressure defense like theirs should open up some offensive opportunities and it’ll be important Rockville capitalizes on those.

‘‘We just need to continue to get stronger, to grow and improve our skills,” Kissal said. ‘‘This is a very competitive group. We pride ourselves on working harder than anyone.”

Location: Rockville

Nickname: Rams

Head coach: G.J. Kissal, 1st year

State classification: 2A

Last year’s record: 11-11

Last regional title: 1982 (6th)

Last state title: 1973 (2nd)

Players to watch: G Paul Rosiak, G Rainer Tandaju