2025-26 Team Preview: Cleveland Storm

2025-26 CLEVELAND STORM PREVIEW   OVERVIEW   Cleveland finished 19-11 in 2024-25 and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament in March. The Storm return most of their major contributors from last season, including the player widely regarded as the best in the state ([player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']). Hence, expectations are high for the Storm.   “We didn't lose many guys from last year's team,” Cleveland head coach Zack Cole told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “All the guys around Remy have grown into their roles. We have so many guys that are very capable of contributing within their roles. Everything seems to falling into place for us. We're in a much better situation this year.”   A significant portion of the roster will consist of juniors, many of whom showed signs of developing into outstanding players last season.   “Our junior class is the roots of our program,” Cole said. “It's made up of kids that have been in our program for a couple of years and have paid their dues. Now it's their time. I'm super excited for them to get their opportunity. Our freshman class behind them is pretty god too.”               PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'] (Sr., 5-11, PG/SG): Arguably the state's best player. Averaged 29.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.8 steals per game as a junior in 2024-25. Fearless driver to the basket. Slasher. Toughness is off the charts. UNC-Charlotte of the AAC has offered along with Fort Lewis College and New Mexico Highlands. "It all starts with Remy. He's the one that makes us go,” Cole said. “He allows us to play at the pace we want to play at. Remy is the head of the monster, if you will. He knows he doesn't need to press in certain situations. We're proud of Remy because he has become more of a leader and the voice of our team. When I got here (in 2023), he was super talented but really young. He's super skilled and very dynamic with the ball in his hands. He's a three-level scorer. His three-point shot has really improved. He's more consistent with that.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2085714' first='Ajay' last='Vigil'] (Sr., 5-9, PG): Outstanding wide receiver on the football team. Averaged 13.5 points per game in 2025-26. “He's a knockdown shooter,” Cole said.       [player_tooltip player_id='2832983' first='Brycen' last='Bowie'] (Jr., 5-11, CG): All-District player in 2024-25. Developing into an excellent shooter. Breakout came in the first round of last season's state tournament when he erupted for over a half dozen 3-pointers against Atrisco Heritage. “Brycen can handle the ball and be a decision-maker,” Cole said. “When he does that, Remy can play off the ball.”        NAMES TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='2488780' first='Jace' last='Bracken'] (Jr., 6-0, G): Son of a Storm assistant coach. Enjoyed a solid summer and fall. “He's our slasher and lockdown defender,” Cole said. “Jace is very well rounded. He can knock down an open three. We're excited to see how he does over these next two years.”      Cannon Cole (Jr., 5-11, G): Excellent shooter. Able to stretch out defenses. Son of the head coach. Described by his coach as a ‘Three and D' type player. “His ability to knock down shots is going to make teams honor and respect that,” Coloe said. “Hopefully, that will open bigger driving lanes for Remy and the others      [player_tooltip player_id='2882843' first='Noah' last='Valler'] (Jr., 6-3, F): Football player. Brings good size and strength to the Storm's frontline. “He's our muscle inside,” Cole said. “He plays football and rugby. He knows how to use his body and how to win spots. His rebounding and ability to guard inside players will help us.   [player_tooltip player_id='2739669' first='Evan' last='Vigil'] (Sr., 6-0, F): Does a ‘little bit of everything' for the Storm. Cousin to [player_tooltip player_id='2085714' first='Ajay' last='Vigil']. Described by Cole as a ‘Junkyard Dawg.' Willing to do the dirty work. Physically tough player. Embraces his role.       [player_tooltip player_id='2714775' first='Jagger' last='Madueno'] (So., 6-3, F): Flipped between JV and Varsity last season.     [player_tooltip player_id='2919518' first='Jordan' last='Rivera'] (So., 6-5, F): Predicted to have a breakout year for the Storm. Brings length to the frontcourt. Probably the Storm's best rim protector.   KEY NEWCOMERS   Karson Weddle (Sr.): Football player. Returns to the Storm basketball team after playing for the Storm as a sophomore. Described as a ‘swiss army knife' by Cole.   Dezmon Sandoval (Sr.): Probably the best player on Cleveland's JV team in 2024-25.  Described as a “program kid” by Cole. “He has all of our core values,” Cole said. ”He has fought and earned every opportunity.”   Isaiah Cavazos (So.): Also plays football. He'll likely split time between JV and varsity in 2025-26. Good size at 6-2.   Gage Albrecht (Jr.): Younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']. Played with the varsity for most of the fall during the absence of the football players and held his own. Could flip between JV and varsity.   FINAL THOUGHTS   Cleveland opens the 2025-26 schedule on Dec. 2 on the road at Los Lunas. Three days later, they travel to Clovis. The annual Phil Griego Invitational will be Dec. 11-13 at CHS. After a home game against Organ Mountain, the Storm head to Las Cruces for a tournament.   Elite OL Moses Sparks played basketball in 2024-25 and played a vital role off the bench. Sparks is verbally committed to Utah and his status for hoops is up in the air, Cole said.   Super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2313549' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] will also not play for Cleveland in 2025-26. He's currently a standout wide receiver for the Storm. When football season ends, he intends to transfer to ABC Prep and play basketball there for at least the 2025-26 season. New Mexico State has offered in hoops.   Cleveland likely won't have their full contingent of player for the first week or so of the season since several football players are on the roster.   Good news? Standout rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2313546' first='Darius' last='Steverson'] has returned to Cleveland after spending the 2024-25 campaign at ABC Prep. In fact, he spent the summer with the Storm hoops team. However, he suffered an injury playing football for Cleveland earlier in the fall, underwent surgery and will likely miss the entire 2025-26 season.     <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Blessed <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_bmase?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bmase</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KJ_Ford4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KJ_Ford4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJamesJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJamesJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RL_Hoops</a> <a href="https://t.co/Sz38HCvwM1">pic.twitter.com/Sz38HCvwM1</a>— Remington Albrecht (@remy_a_2) <a href="https://twitter.com/remy_a_2/status/1947691453268037985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></blockquote>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2026 | [player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'] | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RLHoops?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RLHoops</a> 💥 27 Points vs Legendary Athletes 💥 College Ready Relocation Shooter 💥 Crafty finisher vs length at the rim 💥 Shifty, Open Court Playmaker 💥 94ft Defender w/quick hands <a href="https://t.co/V7mbrHpyRx">pic.twitter.com/V7mbrHpyRx</a>— RecruitLook Hoops (@RL_Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops/status/1946048172578459904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2025</a></blockquote>

2025-26 CLEVELAND STORM PREVIEW