Prep Hoops New Mexico Team Preview: Highland Hornets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong>: The Highland Hornets had quite the season in 2021-22. They won their second Basketball State Championship in school history and their first since 1972. They were the best team in the 4A Class from the start of the year until the end of the season. The Hornets went 22-3 in the regular season, won their district title, won the 4A-District 5 Tournament Championship, secured the #1 seed and defeated Del Norte in the 4A State Title Game 76-59. </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 5</strong>: Belen, Grants, Highland, St.Pius X and Valencia. </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>JoJo Woody</strong>, <strong>Ricardo Leon</strong>, <strong>Gustavo Ayala Del Toro</strong>, <strong>Jonathon Guerrero</strong>, <strong>JJ Williams</strong>, <strong>Kevin Guirado</strong> and <strong>Jose Muriilo</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Additions: N/A</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>Fernando Hernandez</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1485758' first='Alexis' last='Dominguez'], <strong>Eliab Lopez</strong>, <strong>Brandon Medina</strong> and <strong>Raúl Standford</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: This is set to be an interesting season for the Highland Hornets. Even after coming off winning the 4A State Championship, the defending 4A State Champions still aren't getting the respect they deserve. They lost seven seniors from last years championship run but will return five varsity players. The story of the off-season was losing their two big men; <strong>Gustavo Ayala Del Toro</strong> and <strong>Jose Muriilo</strong>. The good news for the Hornets is that they will be led by <strong>Justin Woody</strong> who will be going into his 7th season as the Head Coach of this basketball program. He is one of the best coaches in the business after making four straight playoff appearances, making two 4A State Championship Games and winning his first State Title last year. This team will also be led by Star Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1485758' first='Alexis' last='Dominguez'], who has emerged as one of the best players in New Mexico. He is a four year varsity player, three year varsity starter and a two time district player of the year runner up. He will be the floor general to this team and the Hornets will go as far as he can take them. <strong>Fernando Hernandez</strong> will be the teams primary post player who is versatile enough on both sides. They will run the offense differently this year with his versatility to play on the perimeter and he is a fun player to watch. <strong>Raúl Standford</strong> is labeled as "Mr. Defense" according to Head Coach <strong>Justin Woody</strong>. He is a returning varsity starter from last seasons State Championship Team and they couldn't have won without him. He guards the opposing teams best offensive players, hustles and plays smart. <strong>Raúl</strong> is a lights out three-point shooter who also brings leadership with teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1485758' first='Alexis' last='Dominguez']. <strong>Brandon Medina</strong> has been regarded as "the teams most improved player since his freshman year" according to Head Coach <strong>Justin Woody</strong>. He will start at one of the forward positions this season. One of his best traits is shooting the basketball and has added driving to the rim to his game. He is a "do whatever is asked" type of player and is the teams X-Factor this season. <strong>Eliab Lopez</strong> brings toughness and physicality from his football background which brings value to this team. He will be another potential starter who has been on the varsity level for four years now. After having a conversation with Head Coach <strong>Justin Woody</strong>, he said " The goal remains the same and that is to get better every single day. They want to play their best basketball in March and remain consistent throughout the season." In my opinion its laughable to write off the Highland Hornets after they just won the 4A State Championship last year. They have often been regarded as the underdogs for the last couple of years and they have no issues with that. Until the defending champs are knocked off their thrown, they should be respected as the team to beat. </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>Fernando Hernandez</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1485758' first='Alexis' last='Dominguez'], <strong>Eliab Lopez</strong>, <strong>Brandon Medina</strong> and <strong>Raúl Standford</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>Justin Woody</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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->