2024-25 Team Preview: Volcano Vista Hawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 TEAM PREVIEW: VOLCANO VISTA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will anybody stop Volcano Vista? The Hawks are the three-time defending Class 5A champions and return two of the top players in the state, both of whom are Division I prospects. Indeed, Volcano Vista (88-4 over the last three seasons) is viewed by most analysts as a heavy favorite to lift the blue trophy again at the Pit in March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“What we're focusing on is where we are, not where we've been or where want to be,” Volcano Vista head coach Greg Brown told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “We have a senior that is trying to finish their high school careers the best way they can. We have goals. Everybody does. We're proud of our past successes. But we know the past is gone. What's in front of us is most important. Right now, we're gearing up for the start of practice in November.”              </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176300' first='Kenyon' last='Aguino'] (F, Sr., 6-7): </strong>Two-time New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year. Committed to Montana. Three-year starter and three-year captain, He has been a member of the varsity since he was a freshman. Averaged 22.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game last season. Outstanding shooter. Connected on 64 percent of his two-point shots, 47.4 percent from 3-point range and 76.5 percent from the foul line. “He knows the expectations and how to lead our team,” Brown said. “He is a mature basketball player and person. He handles adversity and the ups and down of the season as well as anybody we've had. Everything will go through him. He's our point center. He can play multiple positions and really controls the game in a lot of ways.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn'] (F, So., 6-4)</strong>: The top 2027 prospect in the state. Enjoyed an outstanding summer on the AAU circuit. Offered by West Virginia, Howard and New Mexico Highlands. “David is continuing to find his role on our team,” Brown said. “He's an explosive, downhill driver. He has improved as a shooter. He has a good feel for the game. He's a willing passer. Very strong on-the-ball defender. Getting him to complete his game will be important &nbsp;for him and our team as far as rebounding and defending away from the ball.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176305' first='Hudson' last='Brown'] (PG, Sr., 5-9)</strong>: Three-year starter at point guard for the Hawks. Offered by New Mexico Highlands. “He's similar to Kenyon in that he's been a three-year captain and leader for us,” Brown said. “Along with Kenyon, he's the heart and soul of our team.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1488493' first='Rian' last='Gonzales'] (G, Sr., 6-3)</strong>: Volcano Vista's best shooter. Impressive 3-point range. High basketball IQ. Good defender. Helps in rebounding. Very experienced. Three-year member of the varsity with plenty of postseason experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2216106' first='Evan' last='Accilien'] (F, Sr., 6-4)</strong>: Good finisher and defender. Most likely the fifth starter for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spirit Cook (G/F, Jr., 155)</strong>: Expected to be a combo guard for the Hawks in 2023-24. Plays QB and DB for the VVHS football team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1913741' first='Eli' last='Salas'] (G, Sr., 5-10)</strong>: Will be mostly utilized as a defender. Role player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714697' first='Dreyden' last='Montgomery'] (G, Fr., 6-0): </strong>Missed most of last season with an injury as an 8th-grader. Promising player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714701' first='Houston' last='Brown'] (G, Fr., 5-8)</strong>: Younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='1176305' first='Hudson' last='Brown']. Should be Volcano Vista's backup point guard. Saw some action with the varsity in 20230-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Finley Fitak (G, Jr.)</strong>: Will come off the bench with the expectation of knocking down shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2402807' first='Eli' last='Covell'] (6-4)</strong>: Post player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luis Gonzales</strong> <strong>(So.)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volcano Vista recently prepared for the 2024-25 by competing in a tournament in Las Vegas, NV, finishing second to a team from California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volcano Vista opens the 2024-25 season Nov. 26 with a road tilt at Albuquerque High.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1635999541861445632","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1635999541861445632 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Hoopinatibrand/status/1809695933728231586","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Hoopinatibrand/status/1809695933728231586 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->