5A Team Preview: Sandia Matadors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2022311' first='Santana' last='Jennings']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Matadors capped off a fantastic season with a championship bid, though they could not end it with a banner hanging on their gym walls. That team was led by 4 All-District seniors, two of whom have gone on to play at the next level. This year's team is much different, with an assortment of different classes and player archetypes. They bring back one starter from last year's team in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687823' first='Thomas' last='Adams']</strong>. A junior this year, he's one of the top prospects in the state for the Class of 2025 and has evolved tremendously since his freshman year. Adams has stepped up in his new leadership role and has become more than capable of handling the ball under pressure and running the offense, as well as continuing what he was known for last year in finding opportunities off-ball to score and create instant offense. 6'8" Big Man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'] </strong>has also taken a leap as a player, becoming a force in the paint, and has learned how to use his frame and physicality to create for himself. The Matadors added a key piece of their team in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2022311' first='Santana' last='Jennings']</strong> to help on the perimeter. He can play any role of guard and is able to score at all three levels from anywhere on the floor. These three have a great supporting cast, with stretch bigs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292960' first='Zaire' last='Ndyabagye']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687827' first='Ben' last='Heckroth']</strong>, sharpshooters <strong>Junior Hogues</strong> and <strong>Zay Brown</strong>, and two-way guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714580' first='Gad' last='Harris'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2172947' first='Jahmil' last='Crayton-Johnson']</strong>. Overall, Sandia will still be a force to be reckoned with in 5A, and their team-oriented playstyle will serve them well moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->