The562’s coverage of Millikan Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Brian Ramsey and TLD Law.
The Rams aren’t just rebuilding this year – they’re rising. With a senior heavy squad, Millikan is entering the 2025-26 season with experience, hunger and something to prove.
After a 6-6 record led them to a fourth place finish in the Moore League last year, the Rams are looking to do a little more this season – and they’ll rely on their seasoned roster to do so.
“I feel like we’ve really improved a lot as a team compared to last season,” Leilah McIntosh said. “I’m just really excited to see how that goes.”
Millikan graduated a strong senior class after last season, but they have more dedicated players in the class of 2026 that are filling the gaps. During the summer, the team was working hard in the gym to prepare for the winter.
“They’ve been working trying to find their identity,” Head Coach Lorene Morgan said. “We have a little more up tempo game than last year. We’ve been concentrating a little more on our defense and getting after it. We’re looking to get back to some exciting basketball.”
One of the most important changes this year’s roster brings is this work ethic. Morgan said sometimes she’ll wake up to a text from her players asking her to open the gym before the sun has risen.
“Their success individually and as a team has propelled them to work even harder,” Morgan said.
On the player side of things, McIntosh said this is intentional. As one of the seniors, she wants to pour all her effort into her final year at Millikan, and the buzz around this year’s Rams is something she is excited to see play out.
“The biggest change is our effort now,” McIntosh said. “It shows a lot when we play, we’re more aggressive and we just want it more.”
McIntosh will be the starting point guard for the Rams this year. She’s a strong returning leader for Millikan and will be joined on the court by her twin sister, Lani McIntosh.
“Both of them used to be on the track team, so we know they’re very quick,” Morgan said. “They bring a lot of energy to the team.”
Two seniors that are stepping into bigger leadership roles for the Rams this year are Charlie Warner and Mariana Sanchez. Morgan said she is proud of these two emerging leaders for stepping up – something that isn’t always guaranteed after a big class graduates.
“Whatever it is – making sure they’re on time for practice, trying to make sure other people are on time for practice, getting out after it – those two have been great senior leaders for us, getting going for the season,” Morgan said.
There is also some young talent with a lot of potential on Millikan’s roster this year. Freshman Naija Freeman will be one of these underclassmen looking to make a name for herself.
One of the big themes for Millikan’s roster this year is resilience. Sophie Salazar and senior Kamille Johnson will be on the court for the Rams this year after they both tore their ACLs and had to sit out last season.
“To come back after that kind of injury, it’s a grind, and it hurts,” Morgan said. “That’s a testament of what kind of people they are and what kind of kids they are.”
Even with a senior-heavy squad, Morgan said there is not just one leader for the Rams. Any player, no matter their age or experience, can step up.
“Each one of them has a different part that they play,” Morgan said. “They buy into all the stuff that the program does and all the work that we do. They just want to get better at what they do.”
Morgan’s main goal for her team this year is to remain consistent. The Rams got off to a strong start last season defeating Jordan and Wilson in the first round of Moore League play, but they weren’t able to maintain that energy for the rest of the winter.
“Our goal is just to just keep winning,” McIntosh said. “After working so hard, it’s just something we think we don’t just deserve, but something that we can earn for ourselves.”
Millikan will have the opportunity for redemption against Jordan on Dec. 16, but before that, they will kick off this year’s Moore League play with a tough contest against reigning champs Long Beach Poly on Dec. 12.
