Live Action: Rio Grande @ Rio Rancho – 12/21/23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Score: Rio Rancho 56 Rio Grande 50</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game: [player_tooltip player_id='1176308' first='Kevin' last='Archuleta'], Rio Rancho - 6 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 4 stl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Points: [player_tooltip player_id='1698813' first='Chris' last='Lucero'], Rio Rancho - 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Rebounds: [player_tooltip player_id='1548689' first='Santiago' last='Gonzalez'], Rio Grande - 11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Assists: [player_tooltip player_id='1295235' first='Jayden' last='Johnson'], Rio Rancho - 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Steals: [player_tooltip player_id='1687825' first='Eliseo' last='Velasquez'], Rio Grande &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='1176308' first='Kevin' last='Archuleta'], Rio Rancho - 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leader in Blocks: [player_tooltip player_id='2685163' first='Mateo' last='Gonzalez'], Rio Grande &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2402350' first='Kayden' last='Decker'], Rio Rancho - 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rio Rancho looked like the dominant team in the first half, taking a 22-point lead at the half. The Ravens stormed back however, cutting the lead to 12 in the 3rd, and at one point to 4 in the 4th. They couldn't pull it out in the end, however, as Rio Rancho finally came together in the final minutes to grind out the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though his stat line wasn't eye-popping, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176308' first='Kevin' last='Archuleta']</strong> was the central force behind the Rams' winning effort. His 4 steals led the team, and he took control of the game late, showing his patience and ball-handling to keep the Ravens at bay. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698813' first='Chris' last='Lucero']</strong> was on fire in the first half, sparking the Rams' offensive surge and ending the game with 15 points and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295235' first='Jayden' last='Johnson']</strong> showcased his freak athleticism and body control around the rim, ending with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was able to create off-the-drive for his teammates as well in this one, which was invaluable in the fourth quarter. <strong>Aidan Wood </strong>was a threat in the catch-and-shoot game early, knocking down 3 three's to tally 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gonzalez brothers were dominant in the second half for the Ravens. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2685163' first='Mateo' last='Gonzalez']</strong> was strong in the 3rd quarter, ending with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548689' first='Santiago' last='Gonzalez']</strong> was strong in the 4th, coming through with 12 points and 11 rebounds. They both established themselves as strong paint presences throughout the course of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687825' first='Eliseo' last='Velasquez'] </strong>was a menace on the defensive side of the ball. He ended with 4 steals and caused many more turnovers due to his aggressiveness. He also contributed 13 points, tied for first on the team with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1897846' first='Isaiah' last='Lucero']</strong>. Lucero was clutch late in the game, knocking down multiple threes to inch the Ravens closer to the finish line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->