Team Preview: Sandia Matadors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sandia Matadors are coming off a solid season from 2021-2022. It was the second straight season the Matadors made the playoffs in the 5A Boys State Tournament. Last season the Matadors finished with a 18-10 record on the season. They finished in second in 5A-District 2 with an 8-2 record. In the District Tournament, they lost to La Cueva in the District Championship. Going into the State Tournament, Sandia secured the 9th seed in a 16 team bracket. They had to travel on the road to #8 Santa Fe for their first round matchup. The Matadors defeated the Demons 49-46 to advance to the 5A Quarterfinals. They were again on the road, this time traveling to #1 Las Cruces. The Matadors lost 74-49 to the Bulldawgs. </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: Forward <strong>Sean Johnson</strong> the leading scorer for the Sandia Matadors the last two seasons graduated last spring and went to play for ABC Post Grad. Guard <strong>Dylan D'Arco</strong> was one of the Matadors best three-point shooters from last season also graduated this past spring. The last key player from last season was guard <strong>Daniel Brown</strong> who was a solid ball handler and defensive player for the Matadors last season was the last key loss to graduation. </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>Result Last Season: 18-10 overall record, (8-2) record in district play (finished 2nd). 9th seed in 5A State Tournament, lost in 5A Quarterfinals to #1 Las Cruces. </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>Class 5A-District 2. (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>Analysis: The Sandia Matadors come into this season as one of the top contenders for the 5A State Championship. They are without a doubt a top 5 team heading into this upcoming season. A big part of that is their coaching and back-court play from their guards. This team will be led by their "Big 4"; [player_tooltip player_id='1076706' first='Ely' last='Lovato'], Andrew Hill, [player_tooltip player_id='1076710' first='Dalen' last='Moyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']. They arguably have the best backcourt in the state and four players who all can create their own shot offensively. These four can all play off the ball and have looked great throughout the off-season. Those will be four of your five starters to start the season. Big man [player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'] will play a key role for the Matadors this season with his size, defense and rebounding as well as <strong>Thomas Adams</strong> who was on the roster last year. The only junior on this roster is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172947' first='Jahmil' last='Crayton-Johnson']</strong> who<strong> Head Coach Danny Brown</strong> holds in high regard. The rest of this roster will be filled out by multi-sport athletes; <strong>Gerald Lujan</strong> and <strong>Joaquin Higuera</strong>. Senior <strong>Leo Oxford</strong> and sophomore <strong>Ben Heckroth</strong>. According to Head Coach Danny Brown, the biggest challenge for this roster will be rebounding and defending at a high level but if this team can put all those pieces together, don't be surprised if they are the ones raising that blue trophy this spring. </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>Head Coach: Danny Brown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roster: [player_tooltip player_id='1076710' first='Dalen' last='Moyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076706' first='Ely' last='Lovato'], Andrew Hill, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']</strong>, <strong>Thomas Adams</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172947' first='Jahmil' last='Crayton-Johnson']</strong>, <strong>Gerald Lujan</strong>, <strong>Ben Heckroth</strong>, <strong>Leo Oxford</strong> and <strong>Joaquin Higuera</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator -->