2026-27 Team Preview: Cibola Cougars

2026-27 CIBOLA COUGARS PREVIEW   OVERVIEW   Cibola enjoyed a turnaround season in 2024-25 when they won 18 games and earned a berth in the Class 5A playoffs. But the Cougars fell back to 11-16 last season and missed the state tournament.   “We thought we had the criteria to get in but they gave (the last at-large berth) to somebody else,” Cibola head coach Gabriel Martinez told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “Right now, we're back to being healthy. We dealt with quite a few injuries last year. We're excited. Our guys are ready to rock ‘n roll.”       PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'] (Sr., 5-11, G): One of the top players in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Averaged about 24 points per game in 2025-26. Class 5A Second-Team All-State selection. Pace and control are two of his strengths. Excellent shooter. Able to score from all three levels. Also very good at penetrating, drawing the defense in and then kicking the ball out to open teammates. Already Cibola's all-time leading scorer with 1,842 career points. “Elijah has just about every accolade he's ever asked for,” Martinez said. “He's been All-State, All-Metro. More importantly to him, he want to chase a state championship. Obviously, we have high expectations for him.” Beginning to attract interest from college coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='2318841' first='Noah' last='Crichlow'] (Sr., 6-0, G): Missed a large part of the 2025-26 season because of an injury. Should be a solid No. 2 player behind [player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez']. “We really missed him last year,” Martinez said. “He suffered a season-ending injury very early. He's been a starting guard on one of my teams since he was a sophomore. Not having him hurt.”   Chris Williams (Sr. 6-0, G): Earned All-District honors last season. Been playing on the Cibola varsity since he was a freshman, so he has abundant experience.       NAMES TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='3145862' first='Olon' last='Williams'] (Fr., 6-0, G): Significant contributor to the varsity last season as an 8th-grader. “”Olon played some big minutes for us last year,” Martinez said. “He started for us. He was a very valuable piece. We're excited to see the jump from him from eighth grade to freshman year. He's going to be even more comfortable and show even more than what he has already done. He's a big part of the program. He's maturing and getting stronger.”     [player_tooltip player_id='2887526' first='Jonah' last='Foster'] (Jr., 5-11, G): Able to score from all three levels. “He can knock down shots,” Martinez said. “He has a pretty good mid-range jumper. He gets to the basket. He's very athletic.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2318844' first='Isaac' last='Behrens'] (Sr., 6-4, F): Also an elite football player. Committed to FCS Southern Utah. Missed a portion of the 2025-26 season. “Isaac does a lot for us,” Martinez said. “He's a great defender, he's physical, he rebounds, he finishes well around the basket.”     Konur Kiziuk (So., 6-5, F): Grown to about 6-5. Saw action with the Cibola varsity as a freshman5last season when injuries struck. “He has the potential to be very good for us,” Martinez said. “He came in as a freshman last season when Isaac went down. He played a lot of minutes as a big man for us. He's gotten a lot better.” Should give a boost  to Cibola's depth.          KEY NEWCOMERS   [player_tooltip player_id='2714881' first='Elijah' last='Banks'] (Jr., 6-6, F/C): Transfer from Carlsbad. Brings good height to the Cibola lineup. “He's athletic,” Martinez said. “Elijah is going to make us a very well rounded team.”   FINAL THOUGHTS   After competing for years in the same district with heavyweights Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista, Cibola moves to District 5A-2 with Capital, Eldorado, La Cueva Sandia and Santa Fe.   The Cougars open the 2026-27 season Nov. 24 at home against Highland. They also host Albuquerque High in early December. Cibola will compete at the annual Hobbs Holiday Tournament and the Albuquerque Academy Tournament.   “I wouldn't be surprised if we had about three or four guys go play at the next level,” Martinez said. “I'm excited. We've been in the best district and now we're going into another very good district.”   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ElijahMtz2027/status/2039433072811343994 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ElijahMtz2027/status/2029403784385073445 </div></figure>

2026-27 CIBOLA COUGARS PREVIEW