2023 New Mexico State Tournament First Round Review
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Sean Alter Sean Alter 6'9" | PF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM 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. Kenyon Aguino Kenyon Aguino 6'7" | PF Volcano Vista | 2025 State #257 Nation NM recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. PG Hudson Brown Hudson Brown 5'9" | PG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM 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.
Jalin Holland Jalin Holland 6'5" | SG Los Lunas | 2025 State #85 Nation NM 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 Geleio Griego was the hero of the night. In a tied ball game at 43 at home with 4 seconds left on the clock, Geleio Griego 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.
Jett Wyckoff Jett Wyckoff 6'3" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM 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.
Adam Montoya Adam Montoya 6'2" | PG St Michaels | 2023 State NM 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, Adam Montoya Adam Montoya 6'2" | PG St Michaels | 2023 State NM looks to continue his revenge tour as the likely 3A Boys Player of the Year.
Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM and Joe Jack Joe Jack 6'3" | SF Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM from the #1 seeded Albuquerque Academy Chargers proved why they were 4A’s #1 seed in their first round victory vs Goddard. Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM (23) & Joe Jack Joe Jack 6'3" | SF Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM (20) combined for 43 points and almost outscored Goddard’s 52 as a team.
The defending 4A State Champion Highland Hornets blew out the Pojoaque Valley Elks 84-41. They were led by Jesus Licon Jesus Licon 6'0" | CG Highland | 2025 State NM ‘s 25 points and three-point shooting.
The La Cueva Bears had the most impressive win of the opening round weekend in New Mexico. Late in the game, SG Isaiah Denetclaw Isaiah Denetclaw 6'3" | SG La Cueva | 2023 State NM tied the game at 56 with a clutch three-pointer on the road. Moments later, Cedarius Yates Cedarius Yates 6'3" | SF La Cueva | 2023 State NM 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 Damian Perez Damian Perez 6'5" | SF Carlsbad | 2023 State NM from Carlsbad had a game high of 25.
Daniel Steverson Daniel Steverson 6'2" | SG Cleveland | 2024 State #315 Nation NM and Josia Ortiz Josia Ortiz 6'4" | SF Cleveland | 2023 State NM 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 Daniel and 15 from Josia. Those two along with Remy Albrecht Remy Albrecht 5'6" | PG Cleveland | 2026 State NM and Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | SF Cleveland | 2023 State NM will be a tough matchup for the Sandia Matadors on Wednesday.
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 Chris Parra Chris Parra 6'0" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2023 State NM and Lorenzo Pacheco while being shorthanded. Chris Parra Chris Parra 6'0" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2023 State NM , Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM and Lorenzo Pacheco accounted for 37 of the teams 48 points.
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 Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'2" | SF West Mesa | 2024 State NM who scored a game high 17 points.
Nick Sanchez Nick Sanchez 5'11" | PG Artesia | 2023 State NM 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.
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 Charlie Lopez-Burton who scored 21 points & Julian Chavez Julian Chavez 6'2" | SG Valley | 2024 State NM who had an all around performance with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.