2024-25 Team Preview: Organ Mountain Knights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 TEAM PREVIEW: ORGAN MOUNTAIN KNIGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Organ Mountain lost just one game after Dec. 9 last season on the way to finishing an impressive 29-2 overall. Unfortunately for the Knights, that setback, which snapped a 28-game winning streak, came in the Class 5A state championship game to Volcano Vista.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two scorers on last year's team – seniors Brandon Kehres (signed with Eastern New Mexico) and YehNhi Wilson (signed with NM Highlands) &nbsp;– have both graduated. But the majority of last season's roster returns, making Knight Nation optimistic they can make another deep playoff run and contend for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We know what we're capable of doing,” Organ Mountain Associate Head Coach Nick Clark told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “It's not like we lost the entire farm. We have a ton of guys coming back. A lot of big number and big minute guys are back. We truly feel like we'll have the opportunity to still compete for a state championship.” &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those returning players will have a new head coach. Rocky Gonzales resigned in early September for “personal reasons.” He was replaced by former Portales coach Randy McBroom, who arrived in Las Cruces in early October and immediately went to work implementing his system and learning the strengths and weaknesses of his players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We went through a coaching change right after school started,” Clark said. “But our focus remains on getting to the last game of the season. Right now, it's just about learning a new system and our guys are responding to that really well. We got a lot of buy-in very quickly.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444750' first='Lenny' last='Washington'] (G., Sr., 6-5)</strong>: Good height. Just concluded a very productive football season for the improving Knights. Averaged about 6 points and 3 rebounds per game in 2023-24. He's been a member of the Knights varsity since he was a freshman. “Last year was about Lenny redefining his game,” Clark said. “Playing football this season really toughened him up. It got him physically ready for basketball and he's looked incredible since he got back with us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827470' first='Emmitt' last='McDaniel'] (G, Jr., 5-10)</strong>: Described as the Knights' “sparkplug.” Excellent shooting range. Connected on over 40 percent of his 3-point shots last season. “As soon as he crosses half court, he has the green light to shoot,” Clark said. “He's going to be big for us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2684180' first='Ethan' last='Pack'] (F, Sr., 6-3)</strong>: Predicted to have a breakout season for the Knights after appearing in 30 games as a junior in 2023-24. Good rebounder and tough near the basket. Excellent defender. “Ethan is a guy a lot of people aren't aware of in the state, but he's poised to have an incredible senior year,” Clark said. “He made a lot of strides during the offseason. He was our main guy off the bench last year. He's accepted the challenge of being the post guy for this team. He consistently plays above the rim.” &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2684184' first='Ray' last='Venegas'] (F/G, SR., 6-4)</strong>: Solid shooter from the wing. Averaged 9.1 points per game last season while shooting 46 percent from the field. Brings good length to the perimeter. “We're expecting him to take a lot of the scoring load we lost with Brandon and YehNhi,” Clark said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2684188' first='Ethan' last='Coomes'] (G, Sr., 5-11): </strong>Organ Mountain's best defender. Described as “super shifty.” Made 49 percent of his shots last season. “If he gives us two layups a quarter, we'll be in good shape with the high volume scorers around him,” Clark said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552243' first='Julian' last='Gonzales'] (G, Sr., 6-3)</strong>: Returns to the Knights after not playing basketball last season. LB on the Knights football team and finished the 2024 season with 61 tackles. Averaged 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a freshman in 21-22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Gomez (G, Sr., 6-2)</strong>: Also took last season off from basketball. Coming off a solid football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaime Renteria (G, Jr., 5-11)</strong>: Returning from a torn ACL injury suffered during district play last season. Appeared in 21 games for the varsity. Described as “super smart” player with high hoops IQ. Outstanding passer. Known for always making the right play &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Holguin&nbsp; (G, Sr., 5-11)</strong>: Looked good this offseason in his return to basketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathaniel Peete (G/F, So., 6-4)</strong>: Saw limited varsity action in 2023-24. Role expected to grow this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2418544' first='Maximus' last='Popescu'] (G, So., 5-8)</strong>: Promising young player. Gained valuable experience with the varsity last season. Should see his role increase this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Organ Mountain opens the 2024-25 season with a two-game road trip to Albuquerque on Dec. 6-7. They face Del Norte in the opener before taking on Atrisco Heritage the following afternoon. They return to the Duke City the following weekend to face La Cueva at the Albuquerque Academy tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights have plenty of experience. Most of the seniors have been with the varsity for three years and have played together for a long time.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🚨🚨Knight Nation!!!🚨🚨🚨<br>Introducing your 2024-25 Varsity Boys Basketball roster!!!<br>Old Knights, returning Knights and new Knights will come together to help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DefendTheCastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DefendTheCastle</a>! Let&#039;s get this party started!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OMHS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OMHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoKnights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoKnights</a> ⚔️ 🏀 ⚔️ <a href="https://twitter.com/OrganMountainHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OrganMountainHS</a> <a href="https://t.co/7j6MEZEzFL">pic.twitter.com/7j6MEZEzFL</a></p>&mdash; Organ Mountain High School Boy's Basketball (@OMHSboysbball) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMHSboysbball/status/1859611589546213487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🚨🚨KNIGHTS NATION!!!!!🚨🚨🚨 <br>Mark those calendars!!!<br>JV &amp; C-Team kick off the Knight on December 5th!<br>Varsity&#039;s Road to the Blue starts December 6th!<br>Be there! Be loud!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OMHS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OMHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoKnights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoKnights</a> ⚔️ 🏀 ⚔️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProtectTheCastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProtectTheCastle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OrganMountainHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OrganMountainHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxPreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MaxPreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nm_PrepCoSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nm_PrepCoSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/Du6YMl6cmf">pic.twitter.com/Du6YMl6cmf</a></p>&mdash; Organ Mountain High School Boy's Basketball (@OMHSboysbball) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMHSboysbball/status/1856168011381772404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->