Quarterfinals Preview: Class 5A and 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5A and 4A quarterfinals will be played Wednesday at The Pit in Albuquerque. Eight games, 14 hours. Here is a look at each game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hobbs vs. La Cueva (9:45 a.m.)</strong>: Both teams handled their first-round business by winning easily. Hobbs, the highest seeded team from southern New Mexico, ousted Organ Mountain, 81-62, while La Cueva conquered Atrisco Heritage, 77-47. Senior <strong>Josiah Clay</strong> played one of his best games of the season for the Eagles by scoring 22 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. La Cueva's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694526' first='Hunter' last='Butler']</strong> can score from anywhere and is one of the best big men in the state. Both players have strong supporting casts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cleveland vs. Carlsbad (1:15 p.m.)</strong>: Surprise! It wasn't superstar <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong> who led Cleveland's 3-point barrage against Alamogordo but junior <strong>Cannon Cole</strong>, who had seven of the Storm's 15 triples. The Storm have an array of weapons they can throw at you. Carlsbad may have been under-seeded after they stunned Centennial, 52-47, at The Nest. Senior <strong>Zee Huerta</strong> is one of the Cavemen's top players.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rio Rancho vs. Sandia (4:45 p.m.)</strong>: Rio Rancho proved against Mayfield that they're not just a tall team along the frontline. They can shoot the 3s as well. In fact, their accuracy from beyond the arc was the primary reason they narrowly avoided the upset to the Trojans. Sandia, meanwhile, is one of the most athletic and best 3-point shooting teams in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714567' first='Isaiah' last='Brown']</strong>, the District 5A-2 Player of the Year, does everything well. He shoots, rebounds, defends and is a fearless vocal leader. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Volcano Vista vs. Las Cruces (8:15 p.m.)</strong>: It's been six years since Volcano Vista last lost a state tournament game. Basically, the Hawks are a machine. D1 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn']</strong> is the best known player, but Volcano Vista didn't earn the No. 1 seed because he's the only player. <strong>Luis Gonzales</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2743220' first='Finley' last='Fitak']</strong> are both capable of scoring a lot of points. Las Cruces has been considered one of the most talented teams in New Mexico since the season began. They wore down Albuquerque High, 61-45, in the First Round. The Brisby brothers (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2173093' first='Josef' last='Brisby']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2368515' first='Jayden' last='Brisby']</strong>), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175824' first='Ben' last='Walton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2967333' first='Talen' last='Miller']</strong> lead the Bulldawgs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Round 2 is going to be exciting!!! Come watch us early Wednesday morning as we take on Hobbs. <a href="https://t.co/Uba2upNLEG">pic.twitter.com/Uba2upNLEG</a></p>&mdash; lchsbbasketball (@lchsbasketball5) <a href="https://twitter.com/lchsbasketball5/status/2031018631728095571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highland vs. Portales (8 a.m.)</strong>: Some early morning hoops in the Duke City. Highland (24-4) won its 17^th straight game in the First Round when they crushed Grants by 45 points. The Hornets have an impressive number of weapons, starting with <strong>Nico Sanchez</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2693635' first='Juan' last='Limas']</strong>, <strong>Fede Nunez</strong> and 6-foot-9 junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2402829' first='Jerry' last='Moody']</strong>. The first three all average in double figures. Portales posted an impressive road win at Belen in the first round. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832949' first='Pierce' last='Culpepper'] </strong>had 20 points and 16 rebounds for an impressive double-double in the win over the Eagles. Doe Portales have enough horses to keep up with Highland? We'll find out. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hope Christian vs. Albuquerque Academy (11:30 a.m.)</strong>: These two district rivals are situated only a few miles apart in northeast Albuquerque. Both teams were tested in the first round. The Huskies fought off Pojoaque Valley, rallying in the second half, while the Chargers outlasted Goddard. Hope Christian's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717247' first='Brayden' last='Giron']</strong> picked a good time to have one of his best games of the season against Pojoaque Valley, scoring 30 points. <strong>Zac Borrego</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717250' first='Hunter' last='Aime']</strong> lead Academy. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Del Norte vs. Taos (3 p.m.)</strong>: Two talented teams that have flown under the radar this season. Del Norte held Valencia to under 40 points in a first-round win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717253' first='Francois' last='Satchivi']</strong> and <strong>Mumin Omer</strong> combine for over 30 points per game for the Knights. Taos (24-5) beat St. Pius X in the first round and have now lost only one game since Jan. 15. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2300007' first='Malakhai' last='Ely']</strong> leads the Tigers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gallup vs. Artesia (6:30 p.m.)</strong>: Gallup (22-7) is another team that has flown under the radar this season. The Bengals won District 4A-1 by two games, won both games in the district tournament and ousted Silver in the first round. <strong>Jayson Bruner</strong> is the top scorer. Considering Artesia returned everybody from last season's Class 4A championship team, we figured the Bulldogs would be back at the Pit. They trounced Bloomfield in the first round. Artesia is tall and talented. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1846065' first='Charlie' last='Campbell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717327' first='Braylon' last='Vega']</strong> (one of the few players on the hoops roster who doesn't also play football) are the top scorers. Their supporting cast is fantastic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Storm were victorious in the first round of the NMAA State Basketball tournament! We are so proud of these young men! We're going to the Pit! Let's go Storm! ⚡️<a href="https://twitter.com/coachzcole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachzcole</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsprimo2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportsprimo2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDYodice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDYodice</a> <a href="https://t.co/z9bRX4ahLi">pic.twitter.com/z9bRX4ahLi</a></p>&mdash; Cleveland Storm Basketball⚡️ (@cleveland_bball) <a href="https://twitter.com/cleveland_bball/status/2030675532728479768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>         </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->