2024-25 Team Preview: St. Michael’s Horsemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 TEAM PREVIEW: ST. MICHAEL'S HORSEMEN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing 16-14 and reaching the Class 3A playoff quarterfinals last season , St. Michael's made the surprising decision (at least to some analysts) in April to dismiss boys basketball coach Gerard Garcia, who went 56-21 with one state championship, one runner-up finish and a district title during his 2-1/2 year Horsemen tenure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing him is former Clayton assistant coach Dakota Montoya, who was officially hired in mid-May. A month later, he assumed the duties of athletics director at St. Michael's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I was looking for a change in career,” Montoya told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “And my wife is originally from Estancia and a lot of her family is still there. I think we're going to be very deep and very big this year. And we have a lot of guys who are quick and can run the floor. I was very happy with the attendance this summer. A lot of kids showed up. I was impressed. Our kids played hard. Once football and soccer seasons started, I lost a few guys there. But we continued to work out.” &nbsp;&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='2684199' first='Reed' last='Bass'] (F, 6-1, Sr.)</strong>: Also a quarterback for the highly successful football team, so he's familiar with the highly important role of being a leader. “He's a very good leader,” Montoya said. “He works very hard. He does everything we ask of him. He's cemented himself as the leader of the team. Being a quarterback, it's a natural transition for him moving to the basketball court. We're going to look to him for some guidance.” Bass begins his third year playing varsity basketball. Very high basketball IQ. Sees the floor very well. Able to play multiple positions on the floor. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2394866' first='Donevan' last='Ricker'] (C, 6-4, Jr.)</strong>: He'll be the big man in the middle for the Horsemen. Vastly improved from last season with his footwork and overall skills. Good size with a 235-pound frame. “He put in a lot of work over the summer and throughout the off-season,” Montoya said. “Really worked hard in the weight room trying to build muscle. He's going to be a key piece for us because I think we're going to have a very good inside game.” Runs the floor well for a player his size. Great athlete. Impressive work ethic. Like to play with his back too the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1913873' first='Sabiani' last='Rios'] Guevara (G, 6-0, Sr.)</strong>: He's been a fixture on the St. Michael's varsity since he was a freshman. Very athletic. Also a key contributor to the football team. Tough and hard-nosed    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Perea (G, 5-9, Sr.)</strong>: Worked as the Horsemen's point guard through the summer and fall and is expected to start the season in that role after being a reserve in 2023-24.&nbsp; “He plays extremely hard,” Montoya said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Angelley (Sr.)</strong>: &nbsp;Saw some minutes with the varsity in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2706580' first='Ryan' last='Hunt'] (F, 6-2, So.)</strong>: Also an outstanding defensive end for the St. Michael's football team. Great athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694614' first='Jeremiah' last='Rodriguez'] (F/G, 6-1, Jr.)</strong>: Excellent summer. Adds to the Horsemen's impressive depth. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827261' first='Dillan' last='McCoy'] (F, 6-2, Jr.)</strong>:Another player who will be expected to bring depth. Floated between JV and varsity ;last season as a sophomore.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael's opens the 2024-25 campaign Dec. 3 with a road trip to Albuquerque to face 4A St. Pius X. After that, they host Grants, Los Alamos and city rival Capital before the Christmas break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montoya hopes St. Michael's depth and experience with a roster dominated by juniors and seniors will pay dividends for the Horsemen this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Those are things we can definitely lean on,” Montoya said. “Hopefully, we can utilize those assets in big-time games later in the season, especially as we get closer to district play and the playoffs.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While practice officially begins Nov. 18, Montoya may have to wait until after Thanksgiving weekend to get the football players on his roster on the hardwood. St. Michael's &nbsp;is the No. 1 seed for the Class 3A playoffs and are heavy favorites to return to the state championship game. If so, those players won't be able to get on&nbsp; the basketball floor under Dec. 2, the day before the opener against St. Pius X. Montoya hopes to get some walk-throughs and practices in with those players before late November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->