INA, Ill. (10/17/23)—The Rend Lake College Men's Basketball Warriors welcome new and returning players for a competitive season.
There are 5 sophomores and 8 freshmen.
Incoming freshmen are guard Calvon Clemons (Murphsyboro), guard Justin King (Mascoutah), guard Rolen Adams (Mount Vernon), guard Greg Cole (Louisville, KY), forward Justin Durham (Wayne City), forward Brady Moore (Bartelso), forward Keith Robinson (Louisville), and center Alex Jackson (Belleville).
Returning sophomores are guard Hayden Hoffmann (Carlyle), guard Cooper Hemby (Mount Vernon), guard Reece Johnson (Benton), guard Mason Ribble (St. Louis, MO), forward Dre Scott (Pinchneyville), and center Gannon Smith-Dollins (Zeigler).
Head Coach Brian Gamber said that one of the challenges of the season so far has been that there are more new players and fewer returning players to mentor them. However, he has been impressed with how hard the freshmen work on and off the court, as well as their readiness to learn
"We recruited them for a reason, because we thought they would be able to pick up on these things and handles themselves with class and respect," Gamber said.
He understands that it takes time to adjust from high school to college basketball. He thinks that all the freshmen are really good players, but he expects them to be challenged at their first jamboree.
Gamber expects the returning sophomores to play a bigger role in the team this season and take on more responsibility. "They understand they're in a role where they need to be more vocal because they are leading the freshmen of what our expectations and goals are," he said.
They have not yet established a team captain, however, coaches are relying on two returning players: Reese Johnson and Mason Ribble. They have proven themselves to be good leaders on and off the court, and they have already done a good job at guiding the incoming players on what is expected of them.
Head Coach Brian Gamber said that he expects the returning sophomores to play a bigger role in the team this season and take on more responsibility.
Overall, Gamber believes they have a great group of athletes. The start of the season they are focusing on establishing team bonds and building their strength.
"They've been working hard in the classroom and in the weight room, they just need to know every week it gets a little more challenging, so we need to keep pushing. But we still have a long way to go," Gamber said. "The whole goal is to improve every day and each week, so that by the time March gets here, we're playing at our best."
Their goal this season is to try and win every game, but more importantly, to develop their players. Gamber wants to make their athletes the best players they can be so four-year schools will want them. He said the only way they can do that is for their team to come in with a good attitude and a good work ethic every day.
When asked to describe their goals for the season in 3 words, Gamber said: "Competitive, fun, and tough."
RLC would like to extend their deepest gratitude towards Banterra for donating $1 million to The Game Plan, the largest sponsorship agreement in RLC history.
Construction on The Banterra Sports Complex is estimated to start in Fall 2024.
