WEST PALM BEACH – The Palm Beach Lakes Rams have a new attitude and something to prove this fall.
There’s a key statement that’s being echoed around Palm Beach Lakes. It goes like this:
“We’re tired of being looked down on.”
For some time Palm Beach Lakes has been overlooked and carrying a dark cloud due to the school’s past and a reputation that has followed the Rams for years now. Negative press about Palm Beach Lakes has hindered the school in more ways than one.
Palm Beach Lakes assistant football coach O’Brian Edwards would expand on the impressions that others may have of the high school.
“I don’t think there is a dark cloud over Lakes at all,” Edwards said. “I believe there is a stereotype and false stigma throughout the community because people are unaware of what is actually going on at Lakes. They are unaware because they don’t visit the campus.”
Head coach Al Shipman, along with the entire coaching staff, has worked diligently in making sure the student-athletes feel valued, loved, respected, and capable.
The Lakes coaching staff has worked to change the tide.
They have an unyielding love for their players, but their love has come in many forms, including tough love. Creating a culture of accountability has become a staple in the coaching staff’s philosophy as they actually turn the tide.
“Our young men are held accountable for their actions and reward for their successes,” Edwards said. “They are taught how leaders should behave on and off the field. As coaches we understand that the more leaders we can produce on the team, the more success we will have, and the more leaders we will have throughout the campus. This will undoubtedly contribute to the already strong school culture.”
Players have bought in and embraced the Palm Beach Lakes “dirty-boy” mentality. The “dirty-boy” mentality can be explained as “getting everything out the mud and nothing will be gifted to us, as it is with some other local programs,” according to Edwards.
The Rams coaching staff efforts have went beyond the playing fields. The team has received support from the administrative staff in changing the culture at Palm Beach Lakes.
“Our current administration, which is spear-headed by Mr. Alphonso, has really stepped up to the challenge,” Edwards said. “They’re raising the expectations and standards amongst the student body, teachers, staff, and sports.”
The school grade has risen to a “C”, and they’ve added a fire academy to go along with other successful programs like nursing, digital design, law, and ROTC.
Impact players to watch this fall for the Rams will be Jailen Holman, Jeshon Ingram, Antwoine Anderson, Harvey Reynolds, Jalen Hall, Kevon Purnell, D’amonte Oliver, Torry Williams, Eldridge Franklin, Brandell Louzincourt, Micah “Speedy” Butler, Devenere Norfleet, Cornelius Mann , and Christopher Johnson.
It will be interesting to see what the Palm Beach Lakes squad does with a very talented squad that’s poised to turn some heads this fall.
