2023 New Mexico State Tournament First Round Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament kicked off this past weekend on Saturday March 4th, 2023. Throughout the five classes in New Mexico, their was 80 total teams participating in this years State Tournament. Their was a total of 40 matchup across the state and 8 in each class. Throughout the first round of the playoffs, we look at some of the states top performers from across New Mexico with just 40 teams remaining. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124213' first='Sean' last='Alter']</strong> led Volcano Vista to a 88-60 victory over Capital in their first round matchup. He was the most dominant player this weekend on both ends of the floor with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks. His teammates also provided strong contributions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176300' first='Kenyon' last='Aguino']</strong> recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. PG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176305' first='Hudson' last='Brown']</strong> had a nice performance as the teams floor general scoring 17 points and dishing 5 assists. He was aggressive looking for his shot early and it set the tone for his play the rest of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176298' first='Jalin' last='Holland']</strong> led the way for Los Lunas getting past Las Cruces in their first round victory. He had a game-high 21 points in the game while his teammate <strong>Geleio Griego</strong> was the hero of the night. In a tied ball game at 43 at home with 4 seconds left on the clock, <strong>Geleio Griego</strong> received the basketball on an in-bounds pass and made the game winning shot on a pull up jumper near the free throw line. It was the top play of the weekend as he sent the Tigers to the second round of the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1293133' first='Jett' last='Wyckoff']</strong> from Hope Christian was the highest scoring player in a winning effort during the first round weekend. He torched Kirtland Central for 37 points and 7 made three-pointers. He saved his best for the playoffs and has the Huskies in a realistic position to compete for the 4A Title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301617' first='Adam' last='Montoya']</strong> from the #1 seeded St. Michael's Horsemen in the 3A Class was locked in from the beginning of the game vs Tucumcari. He ended the night with 34 points, scored 25 in the first half and only played 3 quarters. After losing in the 3A State Championship last year, [player_tooltip player_id='1301617' first='Adam' last='Montoya'] looks to continue his revenge tour as the likely 3A Boys Player of the Year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208052' first='Kellan' last='Gehres']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685484' first='Joe' last='Jack']</strong> from the #1 seeded Albuquerque Academy Chargers proved why they were 4A's #1 seed in their first round victory vs Goddard. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208052' first='Kellan' last='Gehres']</strong> (23) &amp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685484' first='Joe' last='Jack']</strong> (20) combined for 43 points and almost outscored Goddard's 52 as a team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending 4A State Champion Highland Hornets blew out the Pojoaque Valley Elks 84-41. They were led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon']'s</strong> 25 points and three-point shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The La Cueva Bears had the most impressive win of the opening round weekend in New Mexico. Late in the game, SG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw']</strong> tied the game at 56 with a clutch three-pointer on the road. Moments later, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates']</strong> stole the basketball from Carlsbad, got fouled with just a few seconds left and made the game winning free throw to seal the victory for the Bears. He led the team in scoring with 16 points while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1500488' first='Damian' last='Perez']</strong> from Carlsbad had a game high of 25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208048' first='Josia' last='Ortiz']</strong> led the Cleveland Storm to a home playoff win victory over the Eldorado Eagles 60-50. The Storm duo combined for 35 points, 20 from <strong>Daniel </strong>and 15 from <strong>Josia</strong>. Those two along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678143' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong> will be a tough matchup for the Sandia Matadors on Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars upset the Rio Rancho Rams on the road 48-45 in the first round of the 5A Boys Playoffs. The Jaguars were led by their senior leadership of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076722' first='Chris' last='Parra']</strong> and <strong>Lorenzo Pacheco</strong> while being shorthanded. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076722' first='Chris' last='Parra']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176301' first='Latavious' last='Morris']</strong> and <strong>Lorenzo Pacheco</strong> accounted for 37 of the teams 48 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Mesa Mustangs trailed 22-20 at halftime to the Santa Fe Demons at home. They outscored the Demons 36-19 in the second half and won 56-41. The Mustangs were led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> who scored a game high 17 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208047' first='Nick' last='Sanchez']</strong> was the best player in Artesia's playoff win vs Valencia. He scored 17 points and dimed 7 assists vs the Jaguars. His playoff experience will come in handy for the rest of this tournament as he searches for his first State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Valley Vikings went on the road in a hostile environment to upset the Gallup Bengals in the first round of the 4A Playoffs. They outplayed the Bengals on road and won 63-44. The Vikings were led by <strong>Charlie Lopez-Burton</strong> who scored 21 points &amp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680001' first='Julian' last='Chavez']</strong> who had an all around performance with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->