2024-25 Team Preview: Belen Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 TEAM PREVIEW: BELEN EAGLES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing 9-18 and missing the Class 4A playoffs last season, Belen loses its top scorer (Jordi Rojo) but otherwise returns most of its major contributors, including a pair of Second Team All-District performers, and some promising new talent for 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Last year we didn't have much size, and we still won't have much size, but I think this offseason we've gotten much better in learning how to play small ball,” Belen head coach Donald Marquez told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “We're attacking the boards a lot more and looking to push the ball up when we get the rebound. We know bigger teams will try to pound the ball inside on us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marquez, who enters his fourth season as head coach of the Eagles, says he noticed the steady improvement in his team from the beginning of summer to the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“At the beginning of June, we were losing a lot but by the end of June we were winning a lot more,” Marquez said. “I saw the improvement. We're playing real good team ball. The program is starting to develop into what I want it to be.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1913990' first='Damian' last='Avila'] (G, Sr., 5-9 )</strong>: Avila was Belen's second leading scorer last season (13.1 ppg) and second leading rebounder. Second-Team All-District. Should see most of his action at small forward and out on the wing. Very good defender. Brings toughness. Better in utilizing his speed to attack the basket. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687824' first='Jasode' last='Harris'] (G, Sr., 5-8)</strong>: Another Second-Team All-District performer after averaging 11.3 points and 3.1 rpg in 2023-24. He made 41 3-pointers.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695752' first='Alan' last='Moreno'] (G, Sr., 5-10)</strong>: Returning starter who will likely share point guard duties. Averaged 6.3 points and 2.5 rpg in 2023-24. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josiah Navarro (F, Sr., 6-0)</strong>: Averaged 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Good shooter. Very quick. “He has really stepped up his game,” Marquez said. “He looks very good. He is very fast and plays great defense. I haven't seen many players as fast as him. He is great in anticipating passes on defense.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2300010' first='Samuel' last='Sanchez'] (F, Jr. 6-3)</strong>: Sanchez brings size to the front court and a willingness to battle for rebounds. He averaged 6.0 rebounds per game in 2023-24. “Samuel has gotten a lot stronger,” Marquez said. “He's a good rebounder. He's adding a good post-game inside. We've been hitting the weight room more. We should be faster and stronger.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Torin Karnes (G, So., 5-10)</strong>: Saw action with the varsity as a freshman last season in addition to playing JV. Expected to share point guard duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Aguilar (G/F, Jr., 5-10)</strong>: Started some games last season. Defensive specialist. Good leader on the floor. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gonzalo Cano (G, So., 5-10)</strong>: Good football player who will bring his athleticism to the hoops team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rodney Masterman (G, So., 6-2)</strong>: He will compete for a starting guard spot. Good shooter. Could become a vital member of the team by the time district play starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2684214' first='Mason' last='Montoya'] (F, So., 6-2)</strong>: Probable backup on the front line. Very athletic and brings good length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dalton Herschberger (G, Jr., 5-10)</strong>: Likely get some minutes coming off the bench &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belen will have a good mixture of seniors, juniors and sophomores on the roster this season after being junior-heavy in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's going to be nice because all our guys can play and they can score,” Marquez said. “We're going to play better team ball and our scoring will be distributed better rather than just relying on one guy. We could be nine or 10 deep and I like that. We won't have the same five or six guys playing the whole game. We're going to get out and run. When we substitute, we won't lose much with the guys coming off the bench.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belen will compete in District 4A-5 with Grants, Highland, St. Pius X and Valencia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2623264,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-15-at-18-59-16-Belen-Boys-Basketball-@BelenBBall-_-X.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-15-at-18-59-16-Belen-Boys-Basketball-@BelenBBall-_-X.png?w=533" alt="" class="wp-image-2623264" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->