5A Team Preview: Cibola Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1124236' first='Elijah' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='1903316' first='Cole' last='Baca'], [player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1679997' first='Julian' last='Ortiz']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars as a program have undergone some huge changes on all levels. A complete coaching overhaul led to coach <strong>Gabe Martinez</strong> taking over the team, and a starting lineup worth of seniors leaving in 2022 gave the program a fresh start. Unfortunately, this translated to a 3-24 record in Martinez's first season, not winning a single district game. This year looks to be different, however, with the Cougars bringing back the majority of their roster from last season, and looking like a team to beat during tournament season. Offensively, they'll be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124236' first='Elijah' last='Foster']</strong>, the hyper-athletic combo guard who was the leading scorer for the Cougars and one of 2 All-District selections from last season. The Cougars won't have him until December due to a football injury, but he'll provide instant offense and versatility once he gets back. The other All-District selection was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez']</strong>. The 8th-grade phenom from last year is entering his freshman season as one of the top shooters in New Mexico, with quite possibly the quickest release of anybody in the state. Their defense will be anchored by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1903316' first='Cole' last='Baca']</strong>, whose stock has gone up significantly since his debut with Cibola. He's a pesky on-ball defender who uses his physicality to jam defenders off-ball and create opportunities for steals for fast breaks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679997' first='Julian' last='Ortiz']</strong> has also taken a leap as a player, becoming a reliable mid-range threat and a shifty playmaker who can play point guard or create for himself off-ball. The question for the Cougars will be their frontcourt depth, losing 5 rotational pieces from last season. Fortunately, stretch forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147586' first='Brayden' last='Peters']</strong> and big <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147587' first='Isaiah' last='Weinrich']</strong> have answered the call thus far, providing rebounding and post-defense for this squad. Cibola also has lots of talent off the bench, such as rebounding guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548677' first='Josh' last='Foster']</strong>, big <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2287302' first='Josiah' last='Davis']</strong>, and guard <strong>Christopher</strong> <strong>Williams</strong>, all able to provide valuable bench minutes. Overall, this team will be a force to be reckoned with and will surprise some teams this year in 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->