Rakeem Buckles is having a lot of fun as the new leader of Monsignor Pace's boys' basketball team.

Moments after beating South Miami in a preseason game Saturday, Pace players, many of them sophomores, screamed and jumped around in the locker room.

Buckles, a 6-8 senior who already has two state championship rings, was at the heart of the celebration.

''I think that was the first time I've ever hugged one of my players after a preseason game,'' Pace coach Mark Lieberman said. ``It's great to see a guy with his experience and talent react that way and get the younger kids excited about winning.''

After graduating a pair of Division I stars -- Ray Shipman (Florida) and Terrance Saintil (Virginia Commonwealth) -- the Spartans have turned to Buckles to carry one of the youngest squads Pace has had in recent years to a third consecutive state championship.

''I just want to set the tone for the rest of the guys and lead by example,'' Buckles said.

During last season's final minutes of Pace's state championship victory against Lakeland Kathleen, Shipman, Saintil and Buckles all fouled out. Younger Pace players including Jabari Gorman and Charles Fashaw helped Pace hang on to a 80-76 win.

''Other than Rakeem, we really don't have a lot of big-name guys,'' said Lieberman, who has guided the Spartans to six consecutive appearances at the state final four. ``What we do have is a lot of young, energetic players that have shown a tremendous willingness to learn and have brought a lot of energy to the team.''

Lieberman said he has already seen leadership qualities from his star forward, who recently signed with the University of Louisville and is rated the No. 40 overall prospect in the country by Rivals.com.

Against Weston Sagemont last week, a Class 2A state title contender, Buckles scored 27 points and grabbed 21 rebounds.

In the next game against South Miami, ranked No. 2 among Class 6A teams in Miami-Dade County, Buckles scored 15 points, but got a couple of his teammates involved as Darren Stewart and Chris Martinez each scored 17 points.

Martinez and Stewart return to lead the backcourt along with 5-10 sophomore Cody Mann, whom Lieberman said will start at point guard. Gorman, Fashaw, senior Gamy Cilien and sophomore Damian Parmes will all be counted on to contribute.

Lieberman said the Spartans should be an improved defensive team this season with Buckles at the forefront.

''When [Rakeem] came here he was a skinny 6-5 freshman that only knew how to play with his back to the basket,'' Lieberman said. ``Since then, he's worked on his face-up game and his jump shot. He comes in and shoots 500 jumpers a day and really works hard on his all-around skill set, he's turned himself into a great player and will be a great small forward at the next level.''

Lieberman said Buckles has drastically improved from his freshman season at Pace, and believes he can handle the added pressure.

''Ray Shipman and Terrance Saintil aren't walking through the door,'' Lieberman said.

``It's time for Rakeem to step and show he can lead this team when times get tough.''

Coming Wednesday, the Miami Herald's Class 6A-5A boys' basketball preview.

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