Team Preview: Sandia High School (NM)

The Sandia Matadors are coming off an excellent 9-1 shortened regular season from this past spring. They won their District Title and secured the #5 seed in the 5A Class State Tournament. The Matadors have several returning players for this upcoming 2021-22 regular season and being led by great Coach Danny Brown, expect the Sandia Matadors to be one of the top contenders in the 5A Class this season. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332774 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Sean-crop-575x378-1637610888-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="1076668" first="Sean" last="Johnson"]- 6’6 Small Forward "Sandia" Class of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1076668" first="Sean" last="Johnson"] is the leader of the Sandia Matadors and is one of the best players in New Mexico. Through 11 games last season he averaged 23.1 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. Sean is an explosive scorer that can score from anywhere on the floor. He has great athleticism and strength that gives him an advantage over most of the players in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="1076668" first="Sean" last="Johnson"] was selected to 1st team all state last season and was selected as the Class 5A-District 2 Player of the year. After working on his game this offseason, expect Sean to help the Matadors compete for the 5A State Championship this season.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332785 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Andrew-1-crop-576x379-1637611568-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />   Andrew Hill- 6’1 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2023 This is Andrew Hill’s 1st year on varsity and he is extremely talented. As the season progresses, expect to see Andrew Hill get more and more comfortable and familiar with the game. He is very smooth and a good shooter that has a nice pace to the game that plays under control. He is also very athletic and enjoys getting to the rim and doesn’t mind the contact of drawing fouls getting to the free throw line.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332793 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Dorvis-crop-576x379-1637611965-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Dorvis Riley- 6’3 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2022 Dorvis Riley is another Sandia player that had been on the varsity level that last three years that has a ton of experience. He is a long, rangy and a athletic guy that can do multiple things for this basketball team. He is also a very good spot up shooter and when he gets going, he is someone the Sandia Matadors will call plays for and try to get the ball. He will have a big impact for this squad especially when you need a bucket in crunch time.     <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332804 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Ely-crop-576x379-1637612372-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="1076706" first="Ely" last="Lovato"]- 6’1 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2023 Sandia’s Guard [player_tooltip player_id="1076706" first="Ely" last="Lovato"] is a huge X-factor for Sandia’s success. He is a three year varsity starter who has much experience with this team on the varsity level. He is an all around player who does it all for Sandia and can do a multitude of things on the court. He has a very high basketball IQ and will be asked to score more of this year and will have more of a responsibility on this team. He averaged close to 13 points per game last season and expect a huge year from him according to Coach Danny Brown.     <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332811 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Dalen-crop-576x379-1637612671-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="1076710" first="Dalen" last="Moyer"]- 5’10 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1076710" first="Dalen" last="Moyer"] like several of his other teammates, is another three year starter on the varsity level and is super talented. The Sandia Guard can score at all 3 levels on the offensive end, but what makes him an even better player is he knows when and how to get his teammates involved on the floor as well. Last season he led the team in assists and steals while also averaging 11 points per game. Expect a big year from [player_tooltip player_id="1076710" first="Dalen" last="Moyer"] this season according to Head Coach Danny Brown.     <img class="size-medium wp-image-1332818 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Dylan-1-crop-576x379-1637613227-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Dylan D’Arco- 5’10 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2022 Dylan D’Arco is another three year varsity guy from the Sandia Matadors program that has improved more than anyone because of the time he has put into improving his game. He had a busy off-season attending numerous camps and tournaments competing against other great players from this community. He is a really solid shooter and an underrated playmaker for his teammates. He is also a good ball handler who makes the right decisions with his great basketball IQ. He defends at an elite level and stays in front of the ball and plays extremely hard. According to Coach Danny Brown, "he is the team leader and the captain who is the heart of the team."   Daniel Brown- 5’10 Guard "Sandia" Class of 2022 Daniel Brown is a 1st year varsity guy to this program who is very talented and shifty. He is a point guard that can score at multiple levels. According to Coach Danny Brown, "it will take him a bit to adjust since this is his 1st year on varsity, but he will play a huge role for Sandia this season". He will play a huge role coming off the bench this season and expect him to get many opportunities to showcase how he can help this team. Lamarion Coleman- 6’1 Forward "Sandia" Class of 2023 Sandia Forward Lamarion Coleman is another first year guy to the varsity level but he will bring much needed depth to Sandia’s front court this season. He does not have much experience on the varsity level but according to Coach Danny Brown but, "he will play an important role." He will bring defense which is always needed and can guard multiple positions on the defensive end. He is very strong for the high school level and will have a huge impact this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1280499" first="Alex" last="Rosales"]- 6’7 Forward "Sandia" Class of 2022 Sandia big man [player_tooltip player_id="1280499" first="Alex" last="Rosales"] is another three year varsity guy who has a ton of experience which is needed for any team competing for a high school basketball state championship. He is very skilled on the block but is just as skilled outside the arc from three. He is a player that can stretch opposing defenses with his shooting. He is long and a smart player on the basketball court. He runs the floor exceptionally well and was Sandia’s fourth leading scorer per game last season. Expect his numbers and play to increase this season. According to Sandia Coach Danny Brown, his freshmen players Julian Hernandez, [player_tooltip player_id="1276352" first="Mason" last="Howell"] and Thomas Adams have a chance to be very good for our program in the future and all of them will be floating on varsity this season.