Team Preview: West Mesa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season the West Mesa Mustangs returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season. They finished the season with an 11-15 record and finished in fourth place in 5A-District 2. The Mustangs secured the #14 seed in the 5A Boys State Tournament. West Mesa lost to #3 La Cueva 57-34 in the first found of the playoffs last season. </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>Key Losses:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1299263' first='Micah' last='Munoz'] transferred to ABC Prep, [player_tooltip player_id='1300481' first='Gabe' last='Trujillo'] transferred to Valley High School, <strong>Andres Brito</strong> graduated and <strong>Ty Barlow</strong> graduated. </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>Conference: 5A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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>Returning Varsity Players: <strong>Donovan Cruz</strong>, <strong>Brandon Lagunas</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1076703' first='Sonny' last='Ortiz'], <strong>Torrance Burdex</strong>, <strong>Darian Lucero</strong>, <strong>Jeremiah Holtz</strong> and <strong>Elijah Espinoza</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>Key Additions: [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] (Transferred From Cleveland HS).</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 West Mesa Mustangs are one of the most intriguing teams to keep your eyes on for the 2022-23 regular season. This team is returning seven varsity players from last season and arguably had the best addition of the summer by acquiring [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] in a transfer from Cleveland High School. They will be led by their star shooting guard, <strong>Brandon Lagunas</strong> who can score with just about anyone in New Mexico and is their most complete player on the team who can do just about anything. The addition to of [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] will take some of that pressure off of Brandon where <strong>Elijah</strong> can play any position on both sides of the floor. <strong>Brody</strong> is an all around wing player who was the missing ingredient for the Mustangs last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1076703' first='Sonny' last='Ortiz'] is the teams most dangerous marksman from outside and will space the floor for the Mustangs. Team Captain and floor general <strong>Donovan Cruz</strong> will play a huge role again this season with his playmaking, defense and leadership. <strong>Jeremiah Holtz</strong> had a great off-season and showed he is a bucket getter who can create his own shot at will. <strong>Torrance Burdex</strong> is an underrated low post big that holds his own inside. <strong>Elijah Espinoza </strong>and <strong>Darian Lucero</strong> will also get quality minutes this season. This Mustangs team is loaded with depth which is necessary for any championship contender. The goal for this team is to win the district title, get the highest seed possible come state tournament time, and compete for the 5A State Championship. This is the best Mustangs team I've seen in a long time after covering high school basketball for many years. This team is full of "dogs". </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: <strong>Donovan Cruz</strong>, <strong>Brandon Lagunas</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1076703' first='Sonny' last='Ortiz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody'], <strong>Torrance Burdex</strong>, <strong>Darian Lucero</strong>, <strong>Jeremiah Holtz</strong> and <strong>Elijah Espinoza</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>Shonn Schroer</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator -->