2024-25 Team Preview: Valley Vikings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 TEAM PREVIEW: VALLEY VIKINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing 24-7 and reaching the Class 4A state championship playoff game last March, Valley must replace nine seniors, including both double digit scorers (Tyler Kozlowski and Julian Chavez) and the third and fourth leading scorers (Rosendo Roybal, Diego Miscles-Rivera). As a result, the Vikings will have plenty of new players in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're going to pretty inexperienced at the varsity level,” Valley head coach EZ Panas told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “We have a few guys that played significant minutes last season and know what it's about. But for the most part, we'll be inexperienced.” &nbsp;&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='1695659' first='Luciano' last='Mondragon'] (G, Sr., 5-10)</strong>: Beginning his fourth season with the Valley varsity. Very quick. Gets up and down the court with speed. Very good on-ball defender. Improving offensively. Likely the key to Valley's season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540114' first='Carter' last='Monroe'] (F, Sr., 6-1)</strong>: Good wing shooter. Likely will be the Vikings man offensive threat from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Angelito Villa (F, Sr., 6-2)</strong>: Much improved from a season ago. Athletic. Expected to be one of Valley's top scorers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Melendez (G, Sr., 5-7): </strong>Looking to carry the momentum from a solid football season. Played DB and WR. Very quick. High basketball IQ. Great passer. Good defender. Great vision. Four-year varsity member. Should provide great leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2681035' first='Isaiah' last='Abeyta-Jefferson'] (G, Sr.)</strong>: Floated between JV and varsity in 2023-24. Got a taste of varsity action. This year presents a good opportunity to stick with the varsity full-time. Good shooter. Fearless in driving to the basket. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kevin DeVargas (G, Sr.)</strong>: Spent most of last season with the JV team. Will compete to be Valley's 6^th Man. Can score from the inside or outside. Good rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jose Jaramillo (F, Jr., 6-0)</strong>: Quarterback for the football team. Willing to do the dirty work for the Vikings. Good rebounder and defender. Likely will be a role player in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mateo Guinn (Fr.)</strong>: Played on the ‘C' team as an 8^th grader. Good athleticism. Always gives great effort. Great potential. Likely spot minutes in 2024-25 as he gets acclimated to the speed of the varsity game. Looking to develop his offensive game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley opened the 2024-25 season Tuesday night with a 55-53 loss to St. Pius X. <strong>Angelito Villa</strong> led four scorers in double figures for the Vikings with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540114' first='Carter' last='Monroe']</strong> (team-high 7 rebounds) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2681035' first='Isaiah' last='Abeyta-Jefferson']</strong> (2-of-3 on 3-pointers) added 12 points apiece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley hosts Belen on Tuesday night in the 2024-25 home opener before facing powerful Volcano Vista next Friday night. The Vikings will compete in District 4A-6 with Albuquerque Academy, Bernalillo, Del Norte and Hope Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I felt we were the best team last year,” Panas said. “We just didn't make some plays down the stretch (of the championship game). For the guys coming back, it left a sour taste in their mouths. They've been motivated all off-season to put the time in and work on their games and individually increase their roles. We won't be the biggest or most athletic team, but we'll play tough defense and rebound the ball. We'll play hard and play together.” </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Go Vikes! ⚔️ <a href="https://t.co/GTBPxzft3K">pic.twitter.com/GTBPxzft3K</a></p>&mdash; Ez Panas (@Coach_EZ13) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_EZ13/status/1856152625093456347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>          </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->