TIPPING OFF
A preview of the girls high school basketball season.
ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY CHARGERS
Coach: Taryn Bachis (4th year) Last season: 6-19 Key players: Jordan Cabarrus, 5-5, sr., G; Tea Salazar, 5-11, jr., FW/P; Sophie Long, 5-11, soph., FW/P; Azure Jaime, 5-9, jr., G; Allie Leggott, 5-7, soph., G; Sheyla Corral, 5-4, jr., G.
Outlook: The Chargers will tend to play man-to-man defense and motion offense. They have six key returning players back from last season, and Bachis said “I am excited about working with a young, enthusiastic group this year.”
ALBUQUERQUE HIGH BULLDOGS
Coach: Doug Dorame (8th year)
Last season: 16-11; lost to La Cueva in 5A first round
Key players: Ashley Perez, 5-6, sr., PG; Jada Douglas, 5-6, sr., SG; Shahennesy Bradford, 5-0, jr., G; Jenaya Lopez, 5-7, sr., FW.
Outlook: The Bulldogs had a terrific 2013-14 and they expect to be back in the state tournament next March. The guards are, on the whole, very good, and AHS has speed, a transition game and some reliable 3-point shooters. What it lacks is any presence in the paint. Bulldogs will challenge Valley again in District 5-6A. Douglas and Perez combined to average about 31 points last season. ATRISCO HERITAGE ACADEMY JAGUARS Coach: Joe Montoya (5th year) Last season: 7-19 Key players: Destiny Williams, 5-9, jr., FW; Maylena King, 5-8, sr., FW; Shaylah Gregory, 5-7, jr., G; Giselle Santos, 5-7, soph., SG.
Outlook: Montoya believes the Jaguars might make a push for the playoffs. If transfer Daniela Ortega, a sophomore post from Rio Grande, becomes eligible — her status is yet undetermined — then Atrisco gets a big boost because Ortega was one of the best players in the metro area last season. King, who was all-district last season, led the team in scoring, and Williams was the top rebounder.
BELEN EAGLES
Coach: Richard Armijo (1st year)
Last season: 12-14; lost to Española Valley in 4A first round
Key players: Mariah Forde, 5-10, sr., G/FW; Kaytlyn Gomez, 5-5, sr., W; Arriana Valdez, 5-3, sr., PG; Alexis Begay, 5-4, sr., G/FW.
Outlook: The Eagles return nine seniors, so depth and experience should not be a problem. Air Force signee Forde is the main attraction and among the best in 5A. But Armijo said the team has plenty of offensive weapons besides Forde. Look for pressure defense from Armijo, which he taught as an assistant at Valencia.
BERNALILLO SPARTANS
Coach: Gary Gutierrez (2nd year) Last season: 9-18 Key players: Rachel Darnell, 5-6, sr., G/W; Alleah Candelaria, 5-5, sr., FW; Anelisa Peña, 5-7, sr., FW; Dominique Romero, 4-10, sr., PG.
Outlook: The Spartans went from two wins two seasons ago to nine last season, and they should be improved in 2014-15 with all five starters returning. Darnell was a first-team all-district performer, Candelaria led the team in scoring (about 14 points a game) and Romero, although tiny, is a real spark plug running the show.
BOSQUE SCHOOL BOBCATS
Coach: Rene Palomares (1st year) Last season: 2-11 Key players: Haley Chavez, 5-11, fresh., FW; Shyann Duran, 5-3, fresh., SG; Georgia Gray, 5-8, jr., G/FW; Natesa Vaidya, 5-5, soph., SG.
Outlook: After only being able to play half a season in 2013-14, the Bobcats have replenished the roster and are ready to go full 2014-15 under new coach Palomares. There are no seniors on this team, but plenty of promising talent, led by Chavez, who was alldistrict last season.
CIBOLA COUGARS
Coach: Lori Mabrey (10th year)
Last season: 25-3; lost to Mayfield in 5A semifinals
Key players: Kristin Dearth, 6-3, sr., P; Dmitri Fong, 5-8, jr., FW; Corbyn Cunningham, 5-11, soph., P; Amaya Brown, 5-10, fresh., SG.
Outlook: Although point guard Sierra Penn moved, Cibola has a top replacement in sophomore Kavionna Brown, who transferred from Volcano Vista. Dearth is a Division I talent (Seattle University), and Brown, the daughter of former Lobo guard Greg Brown, looks like the next Amber Battle, Mabrey said. On top of that, Cunningham has enormous potential. Cibola is tall and deep, but it will need to identify perimeter threats. This is one of the best teams in New Mexico.
CLEVELAND STORM
Coach: Susan Kubala (1st year) Last season: 8-20 Key players: Savannah Montoya, 5-8, jr., FW; Jade Hill, 5-8, jr., P; Reagan Barnard, 5-7, sr., SG; Katie Howerton, 5-11, sr., P.
Outlook: Kubala moves over from Sandia, where she had a very successful run, including a state championship in 2010. The Storm should be athletic with some young talent to keep an eye on, and a decent mix of guards and bigs. The key for Cleveland, at least early on, is how well players absorb Kubala’s terminologies and philosophies.
DEL NORTE KNIGHTS
Coach: David Medina (8th year)
Last season: 15-12; lost to Valencia in 4A first round
Key players: Elise Medina, 5-7, sr. PG; Shelby Harrison, 5-9, sr., W; Alicia Arms, 6-0, soph., P; Tessa Schwalm, 5-7, jr., G.
Outlook: The Knights have four starters back, including fourth-year guards Medina and Harrison, and could be ready for a deeper state tournament run. Medina averaged 14 points and four assists, and she was an all-metro player last year. Her father, David, who is from Española and taught in Los Alamos, is looking forward to his team’s first year in northern New Mexicobased District 2-5A.
EAST MOUNTAIN TIMBERWOLVES
Coach: Hobert Warren (1st year) Last season: 11-16 Key players: Yvette Vallejos, jr., G; Chenoa Crites, jr., FW; Ryann Warren, 5-11, soph., FW; Raeanna VanDenark, soph., PG.
Outlook: “We have decent size and pretty good athletic ability,” Warren said. “Only one kid graduated last year.” One thing size won’t help, though, is navigating a tough schedule. East Mountain plays only three home games and is jumping from 2A to 4A.
ELDORADO EAGLES
Coach: Mike Huston (12th year)
Last season: 20-7; lost to Mayfield in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Ellie Guerrez, 5-7, jr., FW; Ari Baca, 5-11, jr., P; Sydnee Candelaria, 5-6, soph., G.
Outlook: The Eagles lost 10 seniors, so it’s natural to think they might fall back a notch or two. Eldorado will be young, but Huston said his youth is extremely talented, and if they can survive some tough nondistrict games, it could benefit the Eagles in January and February. This team could carry as many as five freshmen, including 5-5 point guard Vivian Chavez.
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Mike Heffron (4th year)
Last season: 20-6; lost to Grady/ House in Class B first round
Key players: Rachel Gonzales, 5-7, sr., SG; Michelle Sungi, 5-9, jr., PG; Ashley Franks, 5-4, jr., SG; Chenaie Collins, 6-0, soph., P.
Outlook: Gonzales was the team’s point guard last season, and averaged 27 points, nine assists and four rebounds a game. She moves to shooting guard this year as the Eagles hope to make a run at a state championship. But Evangel has just six players, so it has to control tempo.
HIGHLAND HORNETS
Coach: Ben Wolfe (1st year) Last season: 4-21 Key players: Yennhi Mai, 4-11, sr., PG; Leandra Terrell, 5-7, sr., W; Zaria Shell, 5-7, sr., FW; Destiny Ryan, 5-5, jr., SG.
Outlook: The Hornets are in rebuilding mode under new coach Wolfe, who is trying to get his system implemented with a very young team. Highland’s best asset: quickness. But the Hornets are struggling to find players.
HOPE CHRISTIAN HUSKIES
Coach: Terry Heisey (24th year)
Last season: 22-8; lost to Shiprock in 3A semifinals
Key players: Alivia Lewis, 6-0, soph., P; Bekah Lovato, 5-3, sr., PG; Brielle Milford, 6-0, soph., FW; Hanna Valencia, 5-8, soph., G.
Outlook: The Huskies only have two players in the program older than the sophomore level — Lovato and 6-foot senior post Shelby Perry — as they embark on a quest to win a state title. All Hope’s starters return, and this team is deep with talent coming off the bench, too. Lewis led this team in most categories last season, although she is coming off a meniscus injury to her knee and only last week was cleared to begin running and jumping. Hope has no fewer than four 6-footers.
LA CUEVA BEARS
Coach: Robert Perea (3rd year)
Last season: 20-9; lost to Cibola in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Alexa Romano, 5-9, sr., G; Alyssa Yocky, 6-0, sr., P; Mandy Perea, 5-5, jr., SG; Sarah Cogan, 6-0, jr., P.
Outlook: La Cueva is one of the top two or three teams in New Mexico. This team has superb guards in the Stanford-bound Romano (nearly 22 ppg last season) and Perea, who can light it up with the best of them. The Bears also have an abundance of size, led by Yocky and Cogan. This team has all the pieces to be a state champion in March.
LOS LUNAS TIGERS
Coach: Marty Zeller (3rd year) Last season: 27-5; lost to Santa Fe in 4A championship game
Key players: Jordan Holland, 5-10, jr., FW; Alyssa Vigil, 5-4, sr., G; Sanae Gaerlan, 5-4, sr., FW/P; Cera Chavez, 5-4, jr., G.
Outlook: The Tigers lost only two seniors from a squad that made the state final last March. Los Lunas returns 10 letterwinners, five of whom were all-district players, and four starters, so the Tigers should again be in the hunt. Transfer Lauren Guinn, all-district honorable mention last season in Alamogordo, is the team’s top newcomer.
MANZANO MONARCHS
Coach: De’Mone Curry (6th year) Last season: 5-20 Key players: Michelle Dao, 5-5, sr., PG; MidNight Romero, 5-4, soph., G; Ameerah Smith, 5-10, jr., P; Grace Walker, 5-8, jr., FW.
Outlook: The Monarchs are extremely young, as Dao — the returning point guard — is the only senior. Curry will go to his bench and get some of his inexperienced players plenty of time on the court. This team will likely have to play above expectations to make some noise.
MENAUL PANTHERS
Coach: Angela Hartill (1st year) Last season: N/A Key players: Abi Klaurent, 5-7, fresh., G; Karina Aguilar, 5-4, fresh., G; Esperanza Astorga, 5-6, fresh., G.
Outlook: Hartill didn’t anticipate coaching this season, after leaving Sandia Prep following a four-year stint, but Menaul called last month and convinced the former UNM player to give it a go. The Panthers are in the second and final year of a probationary period, required of schools when they stop participating in a sport. This team is almost entirely made up of freshmen.
MORIARTY PINTOS
Coach: Joe Bailey (4th year) Last season: 7-18 Key players: Rosie Garcia, 5-8, fresh., P; Alyssa Adams, 5-7, fresh., G; Abbey Aultman, 5-6, sr., G; Emily Gonzales, 5-4, soph., G.
Outlook: “We return all but one player and have a lot of experience,” Bailey said. “We can no longer use youth as an excuse.” Bailey hopes that with a more veteran team the squad will start winning some close games they regularly lost in the past.
NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY ACADEMY EAGLES
Coach: Zach Rosette (1st year) Last season: 1-22 Key players: Hope Cunningham, 5-7, soph., FW; Leandra Abeyta, 5-7, jr., G; Felicia Sisneros, 5-5, jr., G; Kendall Lopez, 5-7, soph., FW.
Outlook: With only three players back with any significant experience, the Eagles are nearly starting over. Rosette hopes that Abeyta, Sisneros and Lopez can lead an inexperienced group. Rosette hopes to be able to keep all 12 girls in the program the whole season.
RIO GRANDE RAVENS
Coach: Sherman McCray (1st year) Last season: 11-17; lost to Cibola in 5A first round
Key players: Domonique Chavez, 5-10, sr., P; Vanessa Nuñez, 5-7, sr., SG; Alondra Amaya, 5-0, soph., PG; Sara Apodaca, 5-8, soph., FW.
Outlook: McCray just took over a few weeks ago after Mark Warren had to resign for health reasons. He was an assistant at Manzano before moving to Rio Grande, and is playing catch-up. Without Daniela Ortega, who transferred to Atrisco Heritage, other players have a chance to step up, McCray said, led by Chavez who can shoot from the perimeter.
RIO RANCHO RAMS
Coach: Pat Puentes (6th year) Last season: 13-15; lost to Hobbs in 5A first round
Key players: Bri Pribble, 5-9, sr., SG; Cheyenne Orozco, 5-6, soph., PG; Bailee Bolen, 5-6, soph., SG; Imani Morlock, 5-8, sr., FW.
Outlook: The Rams return some experienced guards with Orozco and Pribble, and Rio Rancho will have some size to complement that speed. Pribble is the team’s top 3-point shooter, while Morlock led the team in scoring. This team will be super quick and should have more offensive options, which they’ll need.
SANDIA MATADORS
Coach: Brian Stinett (1st year) Last season: 8-19; lost to Mayfield in 5A first round Key players: Jourden Williams, 5-6, sr., G; JaNeisha Brown, 5-6, sr., G; Cara Liggins, 5-9, soph., P; Alyssa Provencio, 5-9, jr., P.
Outlook: Williams, a Manzano transfer, had to play on Sandia’s JV last season because she was ineligible. But now she’s back, and the Matadors have one of the metro’s top scorers and guards. With Brown, Sandia has a rock-solid backcourt, which gives Stinett, a former boys assistant at both Sandia and Atrisco Heritage, reason to believe the Matadors will contend with most anyone.
SANDIA PREP SUNDEVILS
Coach: J.P. Rael (1st year) Last season: 20-10; lost to Portales in 3A quarterfinals Key players: Kalei Yepa, 5-5, sr., G; Leigh James, 6-0, sr., P; Lexie Rubin, 5-11, sr., P; Madie Trainor, 5-4, soph., G. Outlook: The Sundevils, who return six seniors and the entire varsity team from a year ago, are planning to build on last season’s postseason run. Sandia Prep is big — six players who are 5-10 or taller — and fast. Yepa, a second-team all-state pick last year, and Trainor, a soccer standout, provide balance and can run and press in the backcourt.
ST. PIUS SARTANS
Coach: Phil Griego (19th year) Last season: 21-6; lost to Valencia in 5A quarterfinals Key players: Natalie Zamora, 5-7, sr., PG; Juliana Gurule, 5-11, jr., FW; Kelsey Owens, 5-6, sr., FW; Emily Dieterichs, 5-11, sr., P. Outlook: The Sartans have a chance to be really special down the road. Zamora (signed with Fairleigh Dickinson) might be 5A’s best player; she averaged about 20 points last season. This is an athletic group that can run and score, and is deep. If Zamora is handcuffed by a trick defense, Gurule and Owens can fill the gap.
VALENCIA JAGUARS
Coach: Manny Vigil (2nd year) Last season: 23-8; lost to Santa Fe in 4A semifinals Key players: Lorien Aragon, 5-7, soph., PG; Savannah Stump, 5-7, sr., P; Kristina Contratto, 5-3, sr., G; Raeanne Hererra, 5-11, jr., P.
Outlook: The Jaguars have 10 players back from a team that nearly made the state finals. Still, Valencia needs to replace several starters, so the team will be looking for new faces to step up. This team lacks the size it had last season, which means the Jags will look to use their team speed — and depth — to push the pace on offense and press on defense.
VALLEY VIKINGS
Coach: Rich Harbin (11th year) Last season: 18-8; lost to Carlsbad in 5A first round Key players: Alexis Reyes, 5-6, jr., SG; Brianna Roybal, 5-2, jr., PG; Ericka Tapia, 5-6, jr., W; Shanea Shamberger, 5-6, jr., P/G.
Outlook: The Vikings have only one senior, and as usual, lack size. So Valley must shoot and rebound well, and hope that Shamberger can give them some scoring in the paint. She might be the breakout player on this team, with her ability to go inside and outside.
VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTURIONS
Coach: Julie Wilson (1st year) Last season: Did not play Key players: Hannah Schroeder, 5-6, jr., FW; Katie Brannan, 5-4, fresh., G; Janell Wilson, 5-5, 8th, P; Carley Wright, 5-5, jr., FW. Outlook: According to Wilson, the Centurions will field a girls basketball team for the first time. Most players have not been in organized basketball before, but the team is full of fast learners, including the coach’s daughter Janell, and Brannan, whose dad coaches the Victory Christian boys.
VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS
Coach: Lisa Villareal (7th year) Last season: 24-6; Class 5A state champions Key players: Raven Herrera, 5-10, jr., FW; Deezha Battle, 5-3, jr., PG; Melissa Mancha, 5-5, soph., G; Ashdyn Monahan, 5-8, jr. FW. Outlook: The Hawks are young and inexperienced in several areas. However, they do have a tremendous 1-2 punch at the top with Herrera and Battle. Battle and Herrera both averaged about 10 points a game last season; Battle will be crucial, with her ballhandling and scoring ability. But how will some of Volcano Vista’s new role players adapt to varsity-level action, against a typically difficult slate?
WEST MESA MUSTANGS
Coach: Manny Otero (1st year) Last season: 0-25 Key players: Destiny Gutierrez, 5-6, sr., FW; Angelique Martinez, 5-4, sr., G; Syneca Pyszko, 5-6, soph., G; Brittney Molinar, 5-6, fresh., G. Outlook: Not only did West Mesa go winless last season, but the Mustangs lost 10 seniors and changed coaches. That is not exactly a recipe for a quick turnaround, but Otero, a former boys assistant at West Mesa, is looking longterm. His first priority is to change the program’s losing mentality.