METRO-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL CAPSULES
ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY CHARGERS
Coach: Roy Morgan (5th year)
Last season: 16-12; lost to Los Lunas in 4A quarterfinals
Key players: Carlos CdeBaca, 6-1, sr., SG; Zeke Long, 6-4, sr., C; Jeremy Langfeld, 6-1, sr., F.
Outlook: The Chargers lost four starters, but do feature CdeBaca, the possible district player of the year. It will help that the Chargers system has been in place for a long time. “We’ve had a lot of continuity here,” Morgan said. “It’s important understanding what school demands are (academically). We’re hoping to get back to the playoffs, but I don’t really know what we are yet.”
ALBUQUERQUE HIGH BULLDOGS
Coach: Ron Garcia (11th year) Last season: 7-18 Key players: Gabe Bump, 6-1, jr., F; Allonzo Armijo, 6-0, jr., F; Yannick Ilunga, 6-2, jr., F/C; Raymond Cole, 6-5, jr., C.
Outlook: In a district (5-6A) where Valley and Atrisco Heritage graduated most of their key players, this might be the Bulldogs’ league to win in 2014-15. Bump led AHS in scoring last season (14 ppg), but the Bulldogs need to defend and rebound to make this season prosperous. Good team chemistry here, Garcia says, and multiple offensive options besides Bump.
ATRISCO HERITAGE ACADEMY JAGUARS
Coach: Adrian Ortega (5th year)
Last season: 24-6; lost to Valley in 5A championship game
Key players: DeShawn Lucero, 6-2, sr., F; Deven Peace, 6-5, sr., C; Johnny Rodriguez, 6-0, sr., G; Chris Trujillo, 5-9, jr., PG.
Outlook: After that great run to the 5A finals in March, the Jags lost their top three scorers to graduation, so finding people who can score the basketball is vital. Peace and Lucero will be asked to fill some of that void for Atrisco, which has a bigger lineup than it’s had before, led by the talented Peace. Expect the Jags’ pace to be a bit slower than last season.
BELEN EAGLES
Coach: Patrick Mondragon (3rd year)
Last season: 18-9; lost to St. Pius in 4A first round
Key players: John Michael Hicks, 5-8, sr., G; Lucas Chavez, 6-1, sr., F; Emilio Ulibarri, 6-0, sr., F; Matthew Sharp, 5-8, jr., PG.
Outlook: The Eagles lost three seniors, but Belen has plenty of experience coming back, with nine lettermen and a starting five who got major minutes last season. With plenty of depth and talent, the Eagles could improve their seeding from last season and possibly even challenge for the District 3-5A title.
BERNALILLO SPARTANS
Coach: Terry Darnell (21st year) Last season: 12-16 Key players: Dave Romero, 6-0, sr., F; Daniel Jaramillo, 5-7, jr., PG; Arlen Coriz, 6-0, sr., P; Ty Darnell, 6-0, jr., F.
Outlook: The Spartans are coming off a rare nonplayoff season. Jaramillo gives Bernalillo speed from the point; he’ll have to get the ball on the perimeter to the likes of Romero and Darnell, both good shooters. Experience is an issue with this team, but not athleticism. Defense, and creating turnovers, will have to be a strength.
BOSQUE SCHOOL BOBCATS
Coach: Malik Waters (1st year)
Last season: 15-13; lost to Dexter in 2A first round
Key players: Gabe Chavez, 6-5, sr., C; Tommy Miller, 6-1, sr., PG.
Outlook: Waters, once a standout at Menaul and Ruidoso and later a fine college player at Holy Cross in Boston, has a lengthy, lanky group on his hands, with at least five players standing 6-5. That should be a plus, especially since Bosque is jumping from 2A last season to 4A this season. But this team is fairly young and untested.
CIBOLA COUGARS
Coach: Ray Rodriguez (17th year) Last season: 12-14; lost to Valley in 5A first round
Key players: Christian Cunningham, 6-6, sr., F/C; Malik Liddell, 6-2, sr., C; Isaac Maldonado, 6-5, jr., F; Zach Baca, 6-0, soph., combo G.
Outlook: The Cougars have two of the best inside players in 6A in Cunningham — who is incredibly versatile and explosive — and the powerful Liddell. Finding scoring from the perimeter is perhaps Cibola’s biggest question mark. Those new guards, Rodriguez said, will be largely inexperienced, and that could be a factor. Cunningham is attracting some Division I attention.
CLEVELAND STORM
Coach: Brian Smith (6th year) Last season: 22-9; lost to Atrisco Heritage in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Ryan Jones, 6-2, sr., SG; Marcus Williams, 6-4, jr., F/C; Josiah Mahboub, 5-11, sr., PG; Keyshawn Tindall, 6-2, sr., G.
Outlook: The Storm is probably the most complete team in the northern half of New Mexico, maybe the entire state. This team has shooting (Jones, Mahboub), inside presence (Williams and 6-6 Henry Hattis), and no shortage of wise and athletic role players. Jones, a Division I signee (University of Massachusetts-Lowell) can be a scoring machine at a moment’s notice; he averaged over 23 a game last season. Williams was the second-leading scorer and top rebounder. This team has no discernible weakness.
DEL NORTE KNIGHTS
Coach: Ryan Noce (3rd year) Last season: 4-22 Key players: Alonso Cano, 5-8, jr., PG; Paul Perez, 5-10, jr., G; Hasan Nimer, 5-5, sr., G; Daniel Delgado, 6-6, sr., F.
Outlook: It’s a new start for the Knights, who have just four returning players with Cano the only starter back. The Knights ( who are in a new district, 2-5A) figure to be improved with the return of Delgado, who has missed the past two seasons with knee injuries, but they’ll face a tough district race with relatively little experience.
EAST MOUNTAIN TIMBERWOLVES
Coach: Josh Grine (2nd year) Last season: 3-23 Key players: Derrick Merky, 5-11, sr., G; Danny Everett, 6-4, sr., W; Kevin Valencia, 6-2, sr., G; Tyler Pennington, 6-4, sr., F.
Outlook: The squad lost only three players from last year’s team and returns 10 varsity players as the program makes the jump from 2A to 4A. “We had our first summer program and hope to be more competitive and push teams,” Grine said. “We have never been to state in the school’s 13-year history. We’ve never even played for a district title. But we have that veteran mentality now.”
ELDORADO EAGLES
Coach: Roy Sanchez (22nd year)
Last season: 17-9; lost to Las Cruces in 5A first round
Key players: Zach Gentry, 6-7, sr., C; Zak May, 6-3, sr., F; Gavin Casias, 6-0, sr., G; Robert Miller, 6-0, jr., PG.
Outlook: The Eagles’ season could hinge on whether or not Gentry decides to play. If he does, he’s an all-state post who averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season. If he doesn’t, the season takes on more uncertainty, with more responsibility being assigned to players such as May, a returner, and also combo guard Casias, the team’s top shooter.
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Adam Herrera (5th year)
Last season: 22-8; lost to Hondo Valley in Class B semifinals
Key players: Tyler Bobbitt, 6-3, sr., PG; Beau Perry, 5-11, sr., C; Christian Rigoni, 5-6, sr., F.
Outlook: Bobbitt led the team in scoring last season with 15 points a game. He played the point two years ago, moved to shooting guard last season, but is now back running the offense. The Eagles are looking for another district championship and are a contender to win state.
HIGHLAND HORNETS
Coach: Danny Brown (12th year)
Last season: 18-10; lost to Valley in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Jose Garcia, 5-7, sr., PG; Dawshawn Baker, 6-0, sr., SG; Sidiki Mudada, 6-1, soph., G; Fabian Roybal, 6-2, soph., G.
Outlook: The Hornets have four seniors, but the rest of this team is extremely young. Highland graduated nearly all its top scorers and rebounders, and Garcia is about the only player who has any varsity experience. There is some size, but they are extremely raw. A total rebuilding season for the Hive. Of note: Baker’s dad, Shawn, was a superstar at Highland two decades ago.
HOPE CHRISTIAN HUSKIES
Coach: Jim Murphy (32nd year)
Last season: 28-3; Class 3A state
champions
Key players: Jordan Leake, 6-2, jr., G/F; Dedrick Milford, 6-4, sr., F; Marcus Medina, 5-8, soph., PG; Ben Kocurek, 6-2, sr., F.
Outlook: The Huskies lost quite a few seniors, but have plenty of experience back as they make a run in the new Class 4A. As athletic as Hope was last season, Murphy said the Huskies are even more athletic this season, which can’t be good news to the rest of the state. And this team is extremely skilled at the offensive end, led by Leake and Milford.
LA CUEVA BEARS
Coach: Frank Castillo (29th year) Last season: 6-19 Key players: Munji Kahalah, 6-1, sr., SG; Devin Horne, 6-1, sr., F; Aaron Overacker, 6-3, sr., C; Malik Curry, 6-3, sr., C.
Outlook: Except for Castillo’s first season, no La Cueva team struggled more to win than the 2013-14 unit. Overacker and Curry give the Bears two athletic and dangerous posts, and also much-needed experience, which was a hindrance last season. La Cueva will get better guard play, too, led by Kahalah, who frequently lights the fuse on the Bears’ offense. Horne should emerge as a scoring threat.
LOS LUNAS TIGERS
Coach: Travis Julian (3rd year)
Last season: 25-6; lost to Roswell in 4A championship game
Key players: Kayden Walker, 5-10, soph., PG; Hector Ayala, 5-9, sr., G; Wayne Byers, 5-11, sr., F; Brendan Fulton, 6-1, sr., F.
Outlook: Coming off its most successful season ever, the Tigers need to replace a great senior class. Six lettermen are back, none of them starters, though Walker and Byers saw significant playing time. A wild card could be 6-5 Rio Rancho transfer Thean Nelson-Calhoun, who adds some rare length and height.
MANZANO MONARCHS
Coach: Eric Orell (1st year) Last season: 12-14 Key players: Donovan Gaylor, 5-10, sr., SG; Trevel Holloway, 6-0, sr., F; Viet Tran, 5-7, jr., PG; John Gonzalez, 6-4, sr., C.
Outlook: Manzano’s two best players and two leading scorers graduated, so there are some question marks for Orell, a longtime Manzano assistant who left a couple of years ago to become the head coach at Bosque School. This team might struggle to score, at least early on, as the offense figures to be by committee. Defense will need to be sharp.
MENAUL PANTHERS
Coach: Gary Boatman (2nd year) Last season: 9-15 Key players: Nick Cook, 5-8, sr., G; Austin Lerch, 6-2, sr., F; Davis Byrd, 6-1, sr., G; Trey Richardson, 5-7, jr., PG; Abe Brazil, 6-4, jr., C.
Outlook: The strength for the Panthers appears to be in the backcourt, where Cook and Byrd return and where the emergence of Richardson at the point enables Byrd to move over to the shooting guard. But Menaul also has athletic posts, so it will look to run when possible. Menaul fancies itself a playoff team.
NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Josh Dunlap (3rd year) Last season: 12-15 Key players: Josh Wade, 5-7, sr., PG; Kevin Sandoval, 6-2, sr., C; Neulyn Castillo, 5-7, sr., G; Donovan Destea, 6-0, sr., F.
Outlook: It’s still trial and tribulation for the NACA programs, with no home games and no regular practice facility, but Dunlap thinks his Eagles can contend for a playoff berth in Class 3A. NACA returns seven players and, with the likes of guards Wade and Castillo, may have the backcourt to contend with district stalwart Laguna Acoma.
RIO GRANDE RAVENS
Coach: Sean Jimenez (6th year) Last season: 5-20 Key players: Dominic Gonzalez, 5-10, jr., G; Marshall Moore, 6-1, jr., F; Miguel Rodriguez, 6-5, jr., F/C; Jordan Brooks, 5-8, sr., PG.
Outlook: The Ravens are definitely a trendy pick to win District 5-6A, although they’ve suffered two losses in point guard Jesus Gamboa ( ACL last May) and then big man Juwan Brooks (ineligible at least for the first part of the season). Still, Jimenez says this is the most complete team he’s had in the South Valley. This team has depth in the backcourt and in the frontcourt, and they’re mostly veterans.
RIO RANCHO RAMS
Coach: Wally Salata (6th year)
Last season: 12-18; lost to Sandia in 5A first round
Key players: Brady Patterson, 6-1, sr., PG; Chris Sisneros, 6-3, jr., F; Jeremy Snider, 6-2, soph., F; Zach Garretson, 6-3, sr., F.
Outlook: Patterson is one of the state’s top players; he averaged 23 points a game last season and signed recently with Eastern New Mexico. Rio Rancho has depth, which is good, but not size. Salata plans to really push the tempo this season, running off made or missed baskets. Defending larger teams will be problematic, unless Rio Rancho’s pace can negate that.
SANDIA MATADORS
Coach: Alvin Broussard (7th year)
Last season: 22-7; lost to Atrisco Heritage in 5A semifinals
Key players: James Lentsch, 6-3, sr., G; Sam Crews, 6-2, sr., G; Caleb Wrotten, 6-8, jr., C; Dylan Abbott, 6-7, sr., C.
Outlook: One thing’s for certain — no team in Class 6A has more overall size than the Matadors. Sandia graduated a handful of excellent players, and like some other teams in the metro, it needs to identify scorers and overcome some inexperience at key spots. Lentsch is a terrific shooter who’ll need to give the Matadors some balance from the arc. Sandia projects to be one of the state’s best teams.
SANDIA PREP SUNDEVILS
Coach: Willie Owens (21st year) Last season: 13-15; lost to Shiprock in 3A first round
Key players: Dustin Gaddis, 6-5, jr., F; Carlos Trujillo, 5-9, jr., PG; Luciano Padilla, 5-8, sr., G; Will Lucero, 6-7, jr., C.
Outlook: The Sundevils won 13 games last season in a rebuilding year, and feel they are poised to contend for a district title. Sandia Prep returns four starters, including leading scorer Gaddis, and nine lettermen. They’ll need that experience to challenge Hope Christian and St. Michael’s in District 4-5A.
ST. PIUS SARTANS
Coach: Damian Segura (12th year)
Last season: 21-7; lost to Los Lunas in 4A semifinals
Key players: Emilio Arellano, 6-0, jr., SG; Luke McConnell, 5-8, sr., PG; Nathan Peterson, 6-0, sr., W; Zane Van Winkle, 6-5, sr., C.
Outlook: The Sartans are a veteran team, with eight seniors, and as usual with Segura, this team will preach stifling defense 32 minutes a night. This group will have to share the scoring burden, according to Segura, and nearly all of his best teams have had that characteristic. Van Winkle could blossom into a terrific double-double type player for the Sartans. The perimeter game is a question mark.
VALENCIA JAGUARS
Coach: Hamilton Doyle (2nd year) Last season: 10-19; lost to Roswell in 4A first round
Key players: Quentin Wanstall, 5-10, sr., G; Garrett Gibson, 6-6, sr., F; Fermin Lucero, 5-9, jr., G; Chris Alvarez, 5-8, sr., G.
Outlook: With six departed seniors, taking most of last season’s height with them, the Jags will have a big change in style. Valencia will look to shock and awe opponents with pressure defense and a northern New Mexico-style run-and-gun offense that emphasizes transition and 3-pointers.
VALLEY VIKINGS
Coach: Joe Coleman (18th year) Last season: 27-2; Class 5A state
champions
Key players: Christian Padilla, 5-10, sr., G; Teton Saltes, 6-5, jr., C; Ose Idiake, 6-2, sr., G/F; Daniel Castellano, 6-2, jr., G/F.
Outlook: The Vikings lost all their starters from that magical 2013-14 team, and now start over almost from scratch. Padilla has a lot of upside and can score the basketball in many ways. Saltes can give Valley a rare post presence, but must stay out of foul trouble. One of the keys is how the Vikings’ newcomers perform; that includes 5-10 freshman Anthony Chavez, who will start at point guard.
VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTURIONS
Coach: David Brannan (1st year) Last season: Did not play Key players: Nathan Olona, 5-6, sr., G; Josh McDuffie, 5-8, sr., F/C.
Outlook: Victory Christian has a team for the first time in four years. The Centurions have only eight players, so conditioning will be key. While most of the team may be new to organized basketball, Brannan said there is an excitement around and within the program.
VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS
Coach: Greg Brown (6th year)
Last season: 19-9; lost to Hobbs in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Lorenzo Vigil, 5-9, sr., PG; Jacob McNeely, 6-1, jr., G; Jackson Schaap, 6-0, sr., G; Caleb Dixson, 6-5, sr., C.
Outlook: The Hawks were torn up by graduation, losing a majority of their scoring and rebounding. Volcano Vista does have a large senior class, led by Vigil, who are going to have to fill those holes, and quickly. This is Vigil’s fourth varsity season, and should be among the best guards in 6A. This team will need balance, especially scoring balance (think Dixson and Schaap), if the Hawks hope to contend.
WEST MESA MUSTANGS
Coach: Shonn Schroer (13th year)
Last season: 15-13; lost to Volcano Vista in 5A first round
Key players: Zack Schroer, 5-10, sr., PG; Drew Wassana, 6-3, jr., F; Isaiah Curley, 5-7, sr., G; Adan Maldonado, 5-10, jr., G.
Outlook: Schroer said this is one of the most athletic teams he’s had with the Mustangs, and Wassana could prove to be one of the top players in the metro area. He averaged 14 points a game last year and has a smooth inside/outside game. West Mesa is not overly deep, but the Mustangs figure they’ll be a contender in what should be a wide-open District 5-6A.