Team Preview: La Cueva

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong>: The La Cueva Bears were one of the top teams in the 2021-22 season last year. They finished the season as the 5A-District 2 Champions and finished with a 24-4 record. The Bears secured the #3 seed in the 5A State Tournament. They advanced to the 5A State Semifinals after defeating #14 West Mesa in the First Round and #6 Los Lunas in the Quarterfinals. The season ended at "The Pit" vs the eventual State Champion, Volcano Vista Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 2</strong>: Eldorado, Farmington, La Cueva, Piedra Vista, Sandia and West Mesa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: <strong>Exodus Ayers</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1300481' first='Gabe' last='Trujillo']</strong>, <strong>Deven Dyer</strong> and <strong>Head Coach Brian Joyce</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Additions: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540107' first='Shawn' last='Williams'] </strong>(Transferred last season but didn't play) and <strong>Brandon Battler</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Varsity Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1208049' first='Josiah' last='Guliford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates'], [player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230778' first='Daniel' last='Jacobsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato'] and <strong>Brandon Battler</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Analysis: The story of the off-season for the La Cueva Bears was losing Star player <strong>Exodus Ayers </strong>and<strong> Head Coach Brian Joyce</strong>. This team made it to the 5A State Semifinals last year and despite losing some pieces, it's still too early to write off the Bears. It will be difficult replacing<strong> Exodus Ayers</strong>, who was a 16 points per game scorer last season and <strong>Gabriel Trujillo</strong> who averaged over 12 per game. Most of the team's core is still intact and they'll rely on those players to increase their production this season. Their expectations are to prove everyone wrong and finish what they started last year. They will be led by big man [player_tooltip player_id='1230778' first='Daniel' last='Jacobsen'] who has received plenty of interest this off-season. He is a really good shot blocker and rebounder listed at seven-feet tall. When he's in the post and catches the basketball in the right spot, he will score 99% of the time. [player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates'] is one of the top players in the state and my pick to lead the Bears in scoring this year. When he has the ball, it's tough to stay in front of him when he's driving the basketball. His slashing ability has opened up his jumper where he has improved at over the past year. [player_tooltip player_id='1208049' first='Josiah' last='Guliford'] is the teams point guard and floor general on the floor. He plays like an old-school point guard that is capable of taking over games and hitting big shots late in games. He is due for a huge year. [player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw'] is arguably the best "catch and shoot" player in the state and is in the conversation as the best shooter in New Mexico. He is more than just a shooter; he has turned into a reliable defender. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] has grown to 6'3 and will have a bigger role for the Bears this season. He has improved as a perimeter shooter and when he gets downhill, it's hard to stop him when he attacks. <strong>Cameron</strong> has a nice handle and will be a good wing player for the Bears. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato'] will be more of La Cueva's traditional center and is very athletic. He is an aggressive player who is not scared to guard anyone and can create second chance opportunities with his rebounding. <strong>Brandon Battler</strong> will be a heavy hitter for the Bears and will be a potential starter on the floor. It may take the new look La Cueva Bears some time to figure things out with new Head Coach Eric Orell, but the talent is there. I am excited to see each of these players have bigger roles this season and show the state what they can do this year. In my opinion the Bears are still a contender for the 5A State Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roster: [player_tooltip player_id='1208049' first='Josiah' last='Guliford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates'], [player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230778' first='Daniel' last='Jacobsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato'], <strong>Brandon Battler</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540107' first='Shawn' last='Williams']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach:<strong> Eric Orell.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->