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Rachel Hargis 6'4 senior Center |
Last year, the Robinson Rockets snuck up on the competition on their way to the 3A state championship earning Brenda Gomez her 6th state title but her first in Texas. Before coming to Texas coach Gomez was the head coach in Portales, New Mexico for 23 years, where she won five 3A titles in 1991, 2001, 2003, 2004 & 2006. She was named the New Mexico coach of the year in 2007 before leaving for Robinson. This year the Rockets opened the season on top of the poll and they have no intention of looking over their shoulder or giving up their title. With one of the state's premier players (Hargis) holding down the paint they will be tough to dethrone. |
Head Coach Brenda Gomez |
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We asked coach Gomez when it was that she realized her team was for real last year? She responded, "I knew at the banquet from the previous season. I told the audience to buy tickets to the FINAL FOUR because we were going to state. Diboll and Bullard were big hurdles and they had VERY tough teams. Bullard had so much power down low and a great point guard. But we knew we were special long before the rest of the state figured it out." |
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Last year the Rockets had the crafty Ashley James a "true point guard" running the offense, which allowed Mackenzie Roach to play her best position (shooting guard). One of the biggest tricks that Robinson will face this year is trying to figure out how to handle their guard spots. Roach is the team's best option for both spots but when forced to play the point she may gas out early, and it reduces the number of times that she could have sprung open had she been playing the off guard. Mackenzie is a special player and she can certainly bring the ball up and help break the press but the Rockets need her to score. So it will be interesting to see if she can still fill it up from up top.
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Mackenzie Roach (Jr.) Point Guard |
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Shanna Brown (Jr.) |
With Roach moving to the point coach Gomez feels junior Shanna Brown is the team's best as the shooting guard. Coach Gomez said, "Shanna has an excellent shot and will help us a lot on offense."
The problem is that Shanna has had two ACL injuries in the past and missed her entire sophomore season. And as you can see in the picture to the right her knees continue to be an issue.
Along with her nice shooting touch, Brown is a solid defender who works hard and can even help out under the boards. |
Can Brown stay healthy? |
Lexie Suarez
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The other two players that look to help at the guard are #23 Lexie Suarez (who should be able to play some point) & #30 Kirstin Smith.
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Kirstin Smith |
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We asked coach Gomez what it was like to have made it to state and have her team in the DRUM? Coach Gomez said, "It was obviously a great experience and none of our kids had seen anything like it. They were wide eyed but ready and of course we took care of business and won the whole thing. For me it was a different feel, but back in New Mexico we won our last title in front of 14,000 people so I had seen it all before." |
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#32 Haley Weaver (Jr.) |
Kayla Hines will fill most of the minutes at power forward while Weaver will have to be prepared to fill in for Hargis & Hines as a four or five. |
#4 Kayla Hines (Jr.) |
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However, you break this team's chances down you have to begin and start with Rachel Hargis. One of the best centers in Texas, Rachel has brought her game to new levels. She plays excellent defense, works the boards, runs the court and has no problem helping break the press. But the issue is offense and Hargis has to choose to be the impact player. She is easily capable of averaging 20-25 points a game if she sets her sights on such a goal. if the Rockets are going to defend their title Rachel will have to significantly increase her offensive out put.
We asked coach Gomez what it feels like to be the team everybody is chasing instead of being the darkhorse like last year? She said, "That's where you want to be. You want everybody to know you are the best and have them gunning for you. That's this year's challenge and that will be fun."
We wish the Rockets much success in their campaign to repeat as the Texas 3A state champions. |
Rachel Hargis |
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