Boys Metro Basketball First Round Match-ups

Boys metro basketball begins Tuesday January 4th, we take a look at each of the 16 teams in this tournament and every first round match-up taking place this Tuesday night. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359027 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/jakwon-crop-576x379-1641232838-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#1 Volcano Vista vs #16 Rio Grande The Volcano Vista Hawks come into the Metro tournament’s as the #1 seed at a perfect 9-0 record. They are led by Coach Greg Brown who has one of the deepest rosters in the state. This team is led by star [player_tooltip player_id="1076675" first="Jakwon" last="Hill"] who is one of the states premier players. [player_tooltip player_id="1225473" first="Oscar" last="McCoy"] is one of the best Point Guards in the game who has a deadly three point shot. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1124213" first="Sean" last="Alter"] is having a nice season with his inside presence on both sides of the floor. They also have [player_tooltip player_id="1128605" first="Kaden" last="Valdez"] and Jaden Malone that completes their starting lineup, they bring shooting and scoring to this roster. They also have freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1176305" first="Hudson" last="Brown"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1176300" first="Kenyon" last="Aguino"] who have both made an early impact this season. The Rio Grande Ravens come into this tournament as the #16 seed led by Coach Mario Armendariz. This is a young roster led by Captain [player_tooltip player_id="1234592" first="Jonah" last="Lopez"] who is an excellent scorer averaging 14.0 points per game. They are also led by two sophomores Santiago Gonzalez and [player_tooltip player_id="1295239" first="Jonathon" last="Lukesh"]. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359037 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/keagan-crop-576x379-1641233634-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#8 Rio Rancho vs #9 Eldorado The Rio Rancho Rams are 6-4 this season and own the #8 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are coming off winning a separate tournament they hosted last week, "Rio Rancho Holiday Hoops Classic". They defeated Santa Fe in the championship in that tournament. Andrew Sanchez is coming off scoring 16 points in that game and they are led by [player_tooltip player_id="1076683" first="Keagan" last="Caton"] who is averaging 17.0 points per game this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1295235" first="Jayden" last="Johnson"] is also averaging 8.6 points per game. The Eldorado Eagles are the #9 seed and stand at 4-4 this season. This team is led by Josiah Mitchell, [player_tooltip player_id="1076673" first="Tyler" last="Heckroth"], Sean Thompson, Andrew Petersen and Dylan Briggs.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359055 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/jose-crop-569x374-1641234492-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#5 Highland vs #12 Cibola The Highland Hornets are 6-1 this season and own the #5 seed in this Metro Tournament. This team is led by Coach Justin Woody. This team is also led by big man [player_tooltip player_id="1076677" first="Jose" last="Murillo"] who is averaging 19.6 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. [player_tooltip player_id="1076724" first="Alexis" last="Dominguez"] is also averaging 11.7 points per game and Kevin Guirado is averaging 14.5 points per game. Cibola is the #12 seed and is currently 3-5 this season. They are led by Coach Ray Rodriguez and have several players to keep an eye on. Jeremiah Ortiz had 34 points including eight three pointers vs Rio Grande a few weeks ago. They also have [player_tooltip player_id="1076717" first="Zavier" last="Lloyd"] who is one of the most athletic players in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="1176303" first="Joshua" last="Foster"] is also a really nice three point shooter. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359070 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/daniel-crop-576x379-1641234987-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#4 Cleveland vs #13 Hope Christian The Cleveland Storm are 8-3 this season and own the #4 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by Coach Sean Jimenez who helped Cleveland win the metro tournament back in 2020. This team has one of the best rosters in NM and they have a young up and coming team. They are led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1158654" first="Daniel" last="Steverson"] who leads the team in scoring at 14.0 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="1208589" first="Cole" last="Savage"] is averaging 11.7 points per game and [player_tooltip player_id="1208584" first="Antonio" last="Avila"] with 10.5 points per game. The Cleveland Storm can match-up with any team in this tournament. Hope Christian is 5-4 this season and own the #13 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by Coach Jim Murphy and they have had one of the toughest schedules in NM so far this season.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359079 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/javi-crop-576x379-1641235481-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#3 Atrisco Heritage Academy vs #14 Manzano The Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars are one of the hottest teams heading into this Metro Tournament. They sit at 8-1 this season and have won 8 straight games. This team is led by big man [player_tooltip player_id="1076691" first="Colby" last="Wade"] who has emerged as one of the states top players. [player_tooltip player_id="1128606" first="Javier" last="Mendoza"] is one of the top all around players who affects every facet of the game at a high level. Chris Parra Jr. is the floor general and closer for this team with his elite scoring and shooting. They also have [player_tooltip player_id="1076708" first="Tony" last="Pacheco"] who is the leader and heart and soul for this squad. Atrisco Heritage has to be one one of the scariest teams that no one wants to play in this Metro Tournament. Manzano is the #14 seed in this Metro Tournament and is 3-6 on the season. This is a young team that has one senior this year and several underclassmen. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359089 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/judah-crop-576x379-1641236137-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#6 Sandia vs #11 Del Norte The Sandia Matadors are the #6 seed in this Metro Tournament and are 4-5 this season. They are led by Coach Danny Brown and they have a nice roster of players. This season they have been led by [player_tooltip player_id="1076706" first="Ely" last="Lovato"] there leading scorer. [player_tooltip player_id="1076710" first="Dalen" last="Moyer"] and Andrew Hill have been consistent offensive players for them this season. Daniel Brown has done all the little things to help them win games and is an all around player for them. Dylan D’Arco is a good three point shooter for this team. The Del Norte Knights are 3-6 this season and own the #11 seed in this tournament. They are the defending 4A State champions and are better than what their record says this season. They are led by [player_tooltip player_id="1076701" first="Judah" last="Casaus"] who is averaging 22.7 points per game this season and is one of the top two way players in the game. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="1226150" first="Josh" last="Tellez"] is their floor general who directs the offense for them and can shoot the ball at a nice level. [player_tooltip player_id="1208046" first="Harrison" last="Frank"] is the teams second best scorer and the teams best shooter. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359094 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/kev-crop-576x379-1641236869-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#7 Valley vs #10 West Mesa The Valley Vikings are one of the best teams in 4A but they can compete in any Class. They are 6-2 this season and have one of the best defensive rosters in the state. They have a team where anyone can be the #1 scoring option on any given night. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="1269615" first="Kevin" last="Griner"] is the teams leader and floor general who directs the offense, he can also shoot the ball and drive at a high level. Josh Gutierrez is one of the teams most consistent scorers who can score at every area of the floor. Isaac Tapia is one of the most underrated in NM, and has one of the best mid-range games in the state and is a crafty player who can create his own shot. The West Mesa Mustangs have had a solid season at a 5-3 record this season owns the #10 seed in this Metro Tournament. Similar to Valley, West Mesa has a roster of guys that can have multiple #1 scoring options on any given night. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1280498" first="Ty" last="Barlow"] is as good as any big in the state with his size and finishing around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="1076703" first="Sonny" last="Ortiz"] has limitless range from beyond the three point line and when he gets in the zone, he’s impossible to guard. Point Guard Donovan Cruz is the floor general for West Mesa and is a consistent three point shooter. Brandon Lagunas is also one of the teams most consistent scorers and can create his own shot. <img class="size-medium wp-image-1359102 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/ex-crop-576x379-1641237541-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />#2 La Cueva vs #15 Albuquerque The La Cueva Bears are 6-1 this season and are the #2 seed in this Metro Tournament. There only loss was to the #1 seed Volcano Vista, and they have defeated several teams in this tournament (Atrisco Heritage, Hope Christian, Rio Grande, Cibola and Del Norte). They are led by Coach Brian Joyce. [player_tooltip player_id="1076700" first="Exodus" last="Ayers"] is averaging 19.1 points per game and is one of the most all around talents in the state. They also get strong contributions from Cedarius Yates who is averaging 10.6 points per game and [player_tooltip player_id="1300481" first="Gabe" last="Trujillo"] who is averaging 13.9 points per game. Josiah Guliford and [player_tooltip player_id="1076711" first="Isaiah" last="Denetclaw"] have also made a huge impact this season. Albuquerque is 2-5 this season and own the #15 seed. They are led by Coach Greg Brown and star player Marquez King.