2023 New Mexico Boys State Tournament Championship Review
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The 2022-23 New Mexico High School Boys Basketball regular season came to a close. It was a fun and exciting season across the state. We covered the State Tournament all week and finally crowned our five 2023 State Champions. Here’s…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022-23 New Mexico High School Boys Basketball regular season came to a close. It was a fun and exciting season across the state. We covered the State Tournament all week and finally crowned our five 2023 State Champions. Here’s a recap of how each game went in the championship round:
Saturday March 10th, 2023:
2A #1 Pecos vs #2 Academy For Technology and The Classics at 8:00am at “The Pit”
The Pecos Panthers won their first 2A State Championship since the 2019-20 season today vs ATATC. After trailing by 11 at halftime, the Pecos Panthers started the third quarter on an 11-0 run. During that period, they outscored ATATC 18-4 in that quarter and won the second half 32-18. Jodaiah Padilla led the way with 14 points but the difference maker was Zachary Fox making timely shots and three-pointers scoring 10 points. The final score was 52-49.
3A #1 St. Michael’s vs #3 Robertson at 12:00 Noon at “The Pit”
The St. Michael’s Horsemen’s storied Championship history continues. After defeating Robertson in the 2023 3A State Championship Game, they secured their 12th State Title in program history. Their 12 State Title’s is tied for the third most in state history behind Hobbs & Hope Christian with 17 and 16. It puts an end to their 11-year title drought from their last one in 2012. They were led by Adam Montoya Adam Montoya 6'2" | PG St Michaels | 2023 State NM who scored a game high 20 points followed by 15 points from Sabiani Rios. After trailing by 11 in the first quarter, St. Michael’s outscored Robertson 54-30 the rest of the game and won with a final score of 66-49.
4A #1 Albuquerque Academy vs #6 Hope Christian at 4:00pm at “The Pit”
The Albuquerque Academy Chargers won their first State Championship since the 1994 season and their 10th in program history. They defeated the Hope Christian Huskies in blowout fashion 70-39. They became the 6th program in New Mexico to reach 10 State Titles. This team was led by their Big Four; Joe Jack Joe Jack 6'3" | SF Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM , Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , Dillon McCleskey and Justin Mask Justin Mask 5'11" | SG Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM . This team started off hot right out of the gates making 5 three-pointers in the first quarter. Joe Jack Joe Jack 6'3" | SF Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM was the obvious Championship Game MVP; scoring a game high 27 points, making 4 three-pointers and grabbing 8 rebounds. Teammates Andres Rivera and Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM had strong games as well. Andres Rivera dominates inside with 17 points on an impressive 8/12 shooting from the field and Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM scored 15 points & grabbed 7 rebounds for the Chargers.
1A #1 Magdalena vs #2 Fort Sumner/House at 6:00pm at “The Pit”
Fort Sumner/House pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the season in the 1A State Championship Game. They knocked off the last remaining undefeated team Magdalena 45-43. The game was tied at 43 after a clutch three-pointer by Krae Stephens from Magdalena with about six seconds left. Chance Thompson from Fort Sumner/House was fouled when the team was in the bonus and his two clucth free throws put the game away. Cash Burney led the team in scoring with 16 points and the final score was 45-43.
5A #1 Volcano Vista vs #2 Sandia at 8:00pm at “The Pit”
The Volcano Vista Hawks dominance in New Mexico continues from their 5A State Championship victory over Sandia 43-31. It was a low scoring game to say the least but the back to back State Champions woke up when they needed to after trailing for 24 minutes in this game. Their defense and championship experience kept them in the game. After trailing 21-15 at halftime, the Hawks defense allowed just 10 points in the second half and finished the game on a 28-10 run. Kenyon Aguino Kenyon Aguino 6'7" | PF Volcano Vista | 2025 State #257 Nation NM was the Championship Game MVP with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The victory is Volcano Vista’s third State Title in the Greg Brown era and the third in the previous seven seasons.