Winning isn't a fluke in Raymond. It’s a culture. If you walk into the gym at Raymond High School on a Tuesday night in January, you’ll feel it immediately. The air is thick. The bleachers are packed. The Rams have built something that most small-town schools in New Hampshire can only dream of: a perennial powerhouse that reloads instead of rebuilding.
Raymond high school basketball isn't just a winter activity here. It’s the town’s pulse. For years, the Rams have been the team that everyone else in Division III circles on their calendar. Why? Because they play a brand of basketball that is fast, physical, and uncompromising. You don't just play Raymond; you survive them.
The Blueprint of a Division III Dynasty
Success in the NHIAA doesn't happen by accident. It’s easy to look at a championship banner and think it was all about one star player or a lucky bracket, but that’s rarely the case with the Rams. The longevity of Raymond high school basketball comes down to a specific style of play. They push the pace. They trap. They make you feel uncomfortable for all 32 minutes of the game.
Honestly, it’s about the feeder system. The Raymond Youth Athletic Association (RYAA) does the heavy lifting long before these kids ever put on a varsity jersey. By the time a player reaches the high school level, they already know the defensive rotations. They understand the "Raymond way." This continuity is the secret sauce. While other schools are teaching basic press breaks in December, the Rams are already fine-tuning their half-court sets.
You see it in the way they handle the transition from middle school to high school. There’s no "feeling out" period. If you’re a freshman and you can play defense, you’re on the floor. That meritocracy keeps the program hungry.
The Impact of Coaching and Local Legends
Coaching is everything in high school sports. You can have all the talent in the world, but if the guy on the sideline can't manage a clock or draw up an out-of-bounds play, you're toast. Raymond has been fortunate to have leaders who stay. They don't just use the job as a stepping stone.
Take a look at the history of names like Rick Gidari. Under his leadership, the Rams weren't just winning; they were dominating. In 2017, the team pulled off a 21-1 season, capped by a 49-48 thriller over Stevens to take the Division III title. That game is still talked about in the local diners. It wasn't a blowout. It was a grind. That’s Raymond basketball in a nutshell. They find a way to win when the shots aren't falling.
Why the Small School Atmosphere Matters
Raymond isn't a massive city. It’s a tight-knit community. When the basketball team is doing well, the whole town knows. This creates an environment where the players feel like they’re playing for something bigger than a GPA. It’s about pride.
Small-school basketball in New Hampshire is unique because the rivalries are personal. Games against Campbell or St. Thomas Aquinas feel like playoff games even in mid-season. The gym at Raymond is notoriously loud. The acoustics are basically designed to rattle opposing point guards. If you’re a visitor, you aren't just playing against five guys; you’re playing against a wall of sound.
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Recent Struggles and the Path Back to the Top
Every dynasty hits a bump in the road. The last couple of seasons haven't been as decorated as the 2017-2018 era. Let’s be real: graduating a "once-in-a-generation" class hurts. But even in down years, Raymond high school basketball remains a threat.
In the 2023-2024 season, the Rams showed flashes of that old brilliance. They aren't always the biggest team on the court, but they are often the most conditioned. Coaches across the state frequently comment on the "motor" of Raymond players. They don't stop running. If you don't have a deep bench, Raymond will run you out of the gym by the fourth quarter.
The current landscape of Division III is shifting. Schools like Gilford and Mascoma Valley are putting up massive numbers. For Raymond to stay relevant, they’ve had to adapt. We’re seeing more emphasis on the three-point line and space-and-pace offenses. The old-school "bully ball" is still there, but it’s evolved.
The Role of Multisport Athletes
One thing you’ll notice about the Rams roster is that it’s filled with football and baseball players. This matters. In an era of specialization where kids play one sport year-round, Raymond leans into the multisport athlete.
- Toughness: Football players bring a level of physicality to the paint that "basketball-only" kids sometimes struggle with.
- Vision: Baseball players often have better court awareness and passing accuracy.
- Conditioning: These kids are in "game mode" from August until June.
There is no substitute for a kid who knows how to compete in high-pressure situations across different sports. When the game is tied with ten seconds left, you want the guy who has also stood on a pitcher's mound or played quarterback.
What to Expect in the Coming Season
If you’re looking at the upcoming schedule for Raymond high school basketball, keep an eye on the defensive stats. That is the barometer for this program. When they hold teams under 50 points, they win. Period.
The focus this year seems to be on "positionless" basketball. You’ll see 6'2" guys bringing the ball up the floor and guards crashing the offensive glass. It’s a chaotic style that is incredibly hard to scout for. If you’re a coach trying to prepare for Raymond, who do you lock down? They have four or five guys who can go for 15 points on any given night.
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Scouting the Competition
Division III is a meat grinder. To get back to the UNH Whittemore Center for the finals, Raymond has to navigate a gauntlet.
- Conant: Always a defensive nightmare.
- Gilford: The gold standard for shooting in the division.
- Kearsarge: Consistently big and disciplined.
Raymond’s edge is their speed. They have to beat these teams in the transition game. If they let a team like Conant set up their half-court defense, it’s going to be a long night. But if they can turn steals into layups? That’s when the Rams are most dangerous.
How to Support and Follow the Rams
For those who can't make it to the gym, following Raymond high school basketball has become easier. The school often streams games via NFHS Network, and local outlets like NH Sportspage provide some of the best coverage of D-III hoops you’ll find anywhere.
But honestly, nothing beats being there. The energy in the building during a rivalry game is something you have to experience. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s high school sports at its absolute best.
Actionable Steps for Players and Fans
If you're a player or a parent involved in the Raymond program, here is how you maintain the standard:
- Focus on the RYAA: Support the youth programs. The high school's success is directly tied to the quality of the 5th and 6th-grade teams. Volunteer, coach, or just show up to the games.
- Off-Season Development: New Hampshire basketball is won in the summer. Players should be looking at Granite State Raiders or other AAU circuits to keep their skills sharp against D-I and D-II talent.
- Community Attendance: Student sections matter. A raucous "Rams Den" can be worth a 6-point advantage in a close game. Make the home court a fortress.
- Film Study: In the modern game, even D-III players should be watching their own tape. Understanding your own tendencies is the only way to fix them.
The road back to a state championship isn't easy, but for Raymond, the map is already drawn. It’s about defense, community, and a refusal to be outworked. The Rams aren't going anywhere.