Prep Hoops New Mexico Team Preview: Del Norte

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong>: The Del Norte Knights were the defending 2021 4A State Champions going into last season. They started the year 5-9, finished the second half of the season 10-6 and 15-15 overall. The Knights secured the 11th seed in the 4A Boys State Tournament. They defeated #6 Silver on the road in the First Round and defeated #3 Espanola Valley on the road in the Quarterfinals. Then at "The Pit", Del Norte defeated Belen in overtime to reach the 4A State Championship for the second straight season. Del Norte lost to Highland in the 4A Boys State Championship to conclude the 2021-22 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>4A Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 6:</strong> Albuquerque Academy, Bernalillo, Del Norte, Hope Christian and Valley. </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>[player_tooltip player_id='1076701' first='Judah' last='Casaus']</strong>, <strong>Josh Tellez</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208046' first='Harrison' last='Frank']</strong>, <strong>Angelo Noce</strong>, <strong>Elijuah Tarin</strong> and<strong> Jonas Cabaluna</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Additions: <strong>JJ Minnifield</strong>, <strong>Fransois Santivi</strong>, <strong>Julian Castillo</strong> and<strong> Caiden Naranjo</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: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208050' first='Estevan' last='DeVargas']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076702' first='Shane' last='Douma-Sanchez']</strong>, <strong>Diego Gallegos</strong>, <strong>Cody Astor</strong>, <strong>Aiden Hileman</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234593' first='Roman' last='Hileman']</strong>,<strong> Gizmo Mora-Aguilar</strong> and <strong>Deion Jim</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><strong>Analysis</strong>:<strong> Jeron Mclntosh</strong> is going into his seventh season as the <strong>Head Coach</strong> for the Del Norte Knights. In his first six seasons leading this program, he has produced consistent success. They've made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons, appeared in the State Semifinals four times, two State Championship game appearances and one State Title in 2021. The Knights lost six players from last season's playoff run and will be new-look team this year. This team will be led by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1076702' first='Shane' last='Douma-Sanchez'];</strong> a four-year varsity player and arguably the best player in the state. He can do it all for the Knights and has one more championship run in him as a senior. Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208050' first='Estevan' last='DeVargas']</strong> is a player that has impressed me over the summer and through this preseason period. He has emerged as a leader for this team, improved as a defender and will be one of the best marksmen from long-range this year. <strong>Head Coach Jeron Mclntosh</strong> raved about<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1208050' first='Estevan' last='DeVargas']</strong> work during the off-season. I believe <strong>Estevan</strong> will be the Knights second leading scorer this year. With so many key pieces from last year gone, this is an opportunity for other players to play bigger role this season. <strong>Diego Gallegos</strong>, <strong>Cody Astor</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284937' first='Aidan' last='Hileman']</strong>, <strong>Roman</strong> <strong>Hileman</strong>, <strong>Gizmo</strong> <strong>Mora-Aguilar</strong> and <strong>Deion</strong> <strong>Jim</strong> will all be asked to give increased production if the Knights want to make their third straight 4A State Championship game. This team also added young pieces to compete this year and building blocks for the future. Three freshman, <strong>JJ</strong> <strong>Minnifield</strong>, <strong>Fransois</strong> <strong>Santivi</strong> and <strong>Julian</strong> <strong>Castillo</strong>. They also added sophomore <strong>Caiden</strong> <strong>Naranjo</strong>. After a recent conversation with<strong> Head Coach Jeron Mclntosh</strong>, he said "The expectations are still high like the last few years, and we expect to compete for the State Championship". It would be foolish to write off the Del Norte Knights as they are still in the conversation as one of the best teams in 4A. </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>[player_tooltip player_id='1208050' first='Estevan' last='DeVargas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1076702' first='Shane' last='Douma-Sanchez'], Diego Gallegos, Cody Astor, Aiden Hileman, [player_tooltip player_id='1234593' first='Roman' last='Hileman'], Gizmo Mora-Aguilar, Deion Jim. JJ Minnifield, Fransois Santivi, Julian Castillo </strong>and<strong> Caiden Naranjo</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>Jeron Mclntosh</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator -->