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Ram girls work on perfecting their shots
Coaches were working with all players to make sure their mechanics were correct.
The Rio Rancho High School girls basketball players were put through a shooting camp recently, perfecting their form alongside up-and-coming players.
It was a two-week shooting camp that ran June 13-19.
“We are really trying to focus on our junior Rams. We started a sixth-grade team, a 7th-8th grade split team, and I am really trying to dip down to younger grades. We do have our older kids here with them, but that’s mostly so they can get their shots in and help us [the coaches] out,” head coach Lori Mabry said. “June is a big month for girls throughout the state, so we’re just trying to get better.”
Mabry had the girls do four steps for shooting a basketball:
• Step 1: One-handed form shot.
• Step 2: Add the guide hand.
• Step 3: Teach the girls how to jump and hang.
• Step 4: Dribble-in jump shot.
“Sounds easy. Requires a lot of reps,” Mabry said.
PHOTOS: RRHS 2024 girls shooting camp
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Throughout the shooting session, coaches could be seen recording players shooting, then letting them watch the playback in order to tweak their mechanics.
“I am practicing my form shots. This summer, I am really trying to work on my defense, too, especially post moves, stuff like that. And fouls, I got to get the fouls down,” junior center Serena McHugh said. “I’m definitely impressed with all the talent that has come forward. We are definitely a younger program. “
McHugh’s twin sister, Kaci, also plays on the team. Funny enough, twins are a common sight on the team. According to Mabry, she has five sets of twins playing basketball for her program.
“I am just here to help out with the younger players, eighth graders, even freshman. I just want to have a better relationship with my team,” said freshman point guard Madilynn Martinez, who played for varsity last season as an eighth grader.
The Rams only lost three players to graduation and seem committed to developing their young team.
“This is a good area to just feel comfortable for messing up, knowing it’s OK because these girls are going to pick you back up,” freshman point/shooting guard Jenakah Lopez sai.
On top of the shooting camp, the RRHS varsity girls (top 14; some JV) recently went to West Texas A&M and Mayfield to play games with other teams. They played 14 games in the span in six days.
Mabry is clearly looking to build off a successful 19-10 season in 2023, which included a six-game win streak, and has her program in full throttle towards a blue trophy.
