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Second-year Rockville boys basketball coach G.J. Kissal doesn't like to prophesize. But he does know that whatever happens in 2008-09, it's got to be better than last year.

The Rams knew they were going to take their lumps last year. Down a coach and nine seniors from the first team to finish .500 or better in four years, the predominantly underclass Rams were overmatched nearly every time they took to the hardwood.

That's not the case this year. Rockville returns its top six players, learned from last year's struggles and is ready to make its mark in county basketball this year.

"Last year with the young guys I played, it wasn't about them not knowing me, it was about them not being ready to play varsity basketball and being pressed into duty," second-year Rams coach G.J. Kissal said. "Now we're physically able to compete. The movement of the program overall is upward. I'd be stunned if we have a repeat of the struggles we had last year."

The Rams are still young this winter, with only two returning seniors. But the rest of the guys are no longer varsity rookies. In addition to last year's 23-game season, Rockville played 55 spring- and summer-league games. The Rams are no longer reactive; they know how to make plays and force the issue.

The missing link in Rockville's attack last year was size and physicality in the paint. The Rams have both this winter with 6-foot-6 sophomore DeAndre Kelly, 6-5 senior Chris Creamer and 6-4 junior Zach Ogunsolu.

Senior guard Paul Rosiak, who scored 10 points per game last year, will be the Rams' biggest outside scoring threat. He'll be supported by junior guards Wayne Jackson and Ben Kane.

"I like this team, I really do," Kissal said. "We are a versatile team; we have options. It depends on matchups, who gets hot and how the game goes. There's not one guy you can put it in his hands and that's it. … There won't be games like last year where we were blown out by 35 points."

Location: Rockville

Nickname: Rams

Head coach: G.J. Kissal, 2nd year

State classification: 2A

Last year's record: 1-22

Last regional title: 1982 (6th)

Last state title: 1973 (2nd)

Players to watch: G Paul Rosiak, G/F DeAndre Kelly, G Wayne Jackson