ABQ Metro Tournament: 11 Players To Watch + Schedule

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Albuquerque Metro Tournament begins Tuesday night with 8 games in four different locations. The second round (quarterfinals) is scheduled for Tuesday with the semifinals Friday at Albuquerque High and championship game Saturday at Del Norte HS. Here are 11 players to watch as the tournament unfolds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'], Cleveland</strong>: The impressive senior guard continues to be one of the top players in the state. He routinely scores 20+ points per game with a fearless playing style. Together, with [player_tooltip player_id='2085714' first='Ajay' last='Vigil'] and Bryson Bowie, Albrecht dominates in the backcourt. The Storm (8-2) takes on Hope Christian (5-3), ranked #2 in Class 4A by MaxPreps, on Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714567' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'], Sandia</strong>: Brown is a treat to watch play basketball. Just a sophomore, he's a 3-point sharpshooter (even from NBA distance), dazzling ballhandler, outstanding defender and exceptional leader. He leads the Matadors in scoring, rebounding (he's 5-foot-10), assists and steals. He recently scored the 1,000th point of his career and he still has 2+ seasons left of prep hoops. Sandia is 7-4 but one of the best players – sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2714580' first='Gad' last='Harris'] – has yet to play due to a football-related injury. Sandia will be a threat in March to return to the 5A state championship game.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694526' first='Hunter' last='Butler'], La Cueva</strong>: The 6-foot-6 Butler has led La Cueva to a solid 7-2 start, including victories over Volcano Vista and Cleveland. &nbsp;He's averaging over 17 points and 7 rebounds per game. New Mexico Highlands is one of his offers. La Cueva opens the Metro Tourney Tuesday with an intriguing matchup against Hobbs, the lone team from outside the region. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn'], Volcano Vista</strong>: If the 6-foot-4 Lunn isn't the best player in the state, he's darn close. He's a phenomenal talent and is being recruited by major D1 programs for a reason. In a recent battle with Rio Rancho, he showcased his talents by scoring 36 points against the unbeaten Rams. His ability to get to the rim is superb. Elite athleticism. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'], Cibola</strong>: Martinez continues to lead the Cougars back to respectability following years of struggle. Martinez averaged 29 points, 5 assists and 3 steals per game at the recent Phil Griego Invitational. He can score from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2306016' first='Rashaud' last='Morris'], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: After averaging almost 13 points per game as a sophomore, Morris has taken his game to the next level in 2025-26. He's averaging about 22 points per game for the Jaguars, and is also contributing on the boards and distributing the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827330' first='Ethan' last='Oetzel'], Albuquerque High</strong>: The 6-foot-6 Oetzel has led the Bulldogs (7-5) to a nice start against difficult competition. Four of their five losses have been to Volcano Vista, La Cueva, Hope Christian and Hobbs. In Hobbs last weekend, Oetzel averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals per game to spark the Bulldogs to the tourney championship game. Milwaukee School of Engineering has offered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694572' first='Cayden' last='Richardson'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Where do you begin with the Rams? They're 9-0 for many reasons, starting with a talented and deep roster, length, skill, defensive tenacity and excellent coaching. The 6-foot-5 Richardson is just one of several players that make the Rams go along with [player_tooltip player_id='2402350' first='Kayden' last='Decker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2706557' first='Noah' last='Lovato']. That trio make sup on of the top frontlines in the state. The Rams are legitimate 5A title contenders. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nico Sanchez, Highland</strong>: The Hornets (5-2) are flying a bit under the radar so far this season, but based on their recent history, ignore them at your peril. Sanchez is off to a fantastic start, averaging 22.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. In short, Sanchez is doing it all for Highland. Could the Metro Tournament serve as his coming out party? &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717253' first='Francois' last='Satchivi'], Del Norte</strong>: Satchivi has averaged in double figures for the past three years. As a senior, he's averaging nearly 19 points and 4 rebounds per game. Del Norte relies on him to score, rebound and provide leadership. All his numbers have steadily grown over the past three seasons. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217079' first='Charlie' last='Wills'], Eldorado</strong>: Wills is developing into one of the better all-around players in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Last weekend, he averaged over 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Eagles at a round-robin tourney hosted by Bernalillo. Eldorado faces Highland Tuesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE (Tues., Jan. 6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland vs. Hope Christian, 5:15 p.m. (at Highland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandia vs. Valley, 5:15 p.m. (at Cibola)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Albuquerque High vs. Del Norte, 5:15 p.m. (at Rio Grande)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La Cueva vs. Hobbs, 5:15 p.m. (at West Mesa)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eldorado vs. Highland, 7 p.m. (at Highland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atrisco Heritage vs. Cibola, 7 p.m. (at Cibola)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volcano Vista vs. Rio Grande, 7 p.m. (at Rio Grande)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rio Rancho vs. West Mesa, 7 p.m. (at West Mesa)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks for the film fam.<br>36pts, 7rbs <br>More work to do. <a href="https://t.co/6RSVpRHDAV">pic.twitter.com/6RSVpRHDAV</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn'], III (@lunn_iii) <a href="https://twitter.com/lunn_iii/status/2007169552619319328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights from the Hobbs Holiday Tournament. We lost in the final in a close game to Hobbs. Averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks over three games. <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/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://t.co/CW3rtsBPIW">pic.twitter.com/CW3rtsBPIW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2827330' first='Ethan' last='Oetzel'] (@EthanOetzel) <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanOetzel/status/2006889134967894418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm incredibly thankful for reaching this milestone on hitting 1,000 points! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sophmore2028?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sophmore2028</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/allforpapa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#allforpapa</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamDiehl15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamDiehl15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDYodice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDYodice</a> <a href="https://t.co/cVyHKdsxyf">pic.twitter.com/cVyHKdsxyf</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2714567' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] (@zay32brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/zay32brown/status/2006535370939523256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2026 started with 3 games in 3 days. We went 2-1, coming up a point short on the final day. Great competition to get us ready for metro. Our guys are excited for 2nd half of the season. Finished the 3 days with 20.2ppg/5.2rpg/4.4apg (57%fg) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoEldo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoEldo</a> <a href="https://t.co/J6Qooqi6dV">pic.twitter.com/J6Qooqi6dV</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2217079' first='Charlie' last='Wills'] (@CharlieWills208) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieWills208/status/2007879764917522853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->