2026-27 Team Preview: Cleveland Storm

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026-27 CLEVELAND STORM PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland reached the Class 5A state championship game last March and lost its best player to graduation, and the next level. But don't cry for the Storm. They return six of their top seven scorers from a season ago AND add one of the most dynamic players in the state to the loaded roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313549' first='Evan' last='Nanez']</strong>, our No. 2 prospect in the 2028 class, has left ABC Prep and is currently attending classes at Cleveland High School. He'll play for the Storm in 2026-27, possibly catapulting Cleveland into the role of championship favorite. Nanez is already playing for the Cleveland football team and is one of the state's top players on the gridiron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Evan is as much of a stud on the hardwood as he is on the gridiron,” &nbsp;Cleveland head coach Zack Cole told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “He loves both sports. I know he's super talented at football, but he's extremely passionate about basketball as well.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experience will definitely be one of Cleveland's strengths in 2026-27. The roster for the upcoming season will feature at least a half dozen seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We return strength in numbers,” Cole said. “That's who we're going to and how we're going to be. Our current seniors contributed so much to what we did last year when we made it to the state final. They have a lot of big game experience. They all bring something different to the table. They ‘re all connected. They get along and like to see the other guy succeed, not just themselves. They're selfless.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cole hopes Cleveland's superior depth will make it hard on opponents to prepare for the Storm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our strength is going to be our ability for multiple guys to have a moment,” Cole said. “That will make it hard to guard us and hard to scout us. Last year we had that one go-to guy. This season, we're going to pivot. We're going to be more of a share the wealth type team. That will make us more difficult to guard instead of opponent loading up on one guy.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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='2832983' first='Brycen' last='Bowie'] (Sr., 6-0, G)</strong>: Excellent long-range shooter. Made 40 percent of his 3-point attempts last season. Storm's second leading scorer in 2025-26. Very quick. Able to set the pace for the Storm. Able to play at a high level with or without the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2085714' first='Ajay' last='Vigil'] (Sr., 5-10, G)</strong>: Also an outstanding WR on the Storm football team. Averaged 9.5 points per game in 2025-26. Second highest number of 3-pointers made on the team. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2919518' first='Jordan' last='Rivera'] (Jr., 6-6, F)</strong>: Key figure in Cleveland's ‘super talented' junior class. Began to emerge as a significant contributor for the Storm in the back half of district play last season. Gym rat. “He really blossomed and took off,” Cole said. “He did well in some important big game minutes. He never looked back after that. He just kept getting better and better. He played with more confidence.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2882843' first='Noah' last='Valler'] (Sr., 6-3, F)</strong>: Does a lot of the banging and dirty work in the paint. Tight end on the football team. Definitely not afraid of contact. “He's our bully in the paint,” Cole said. “He's our big body we throw at other big bodies. He understands what we need him to do, be that big, physical presence.” Can also shoot the three when called upon. Made 14 triples in 2025-26. Very good passer out of the low post. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cannon Cole (Sr., 5-11, G)</strong>: Shining moment came in an early round state tournament game against Alamogordo when he hit SEVEN 3-pointers for the Storm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2488780' first='Jace' last='Bracken'] (Sr., 6-1, G)</strong>: Averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game coming off the bench last season. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2714775' first='Jagger' last='Madueno'] (Jr., 6-3, F)</strong>: Described as a ‘Swiss Army Knife' type of player for the Storm. Able to play inside and also ‘step out' and play on the perimeter as well. Speed has improved. Able to guard smaller, quicker guards better than in the past. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Albrecht (Sr., 6-0, G)</strong>: Remy's younger brother. Divided time between varsity and JV last season. Tough player. “We like what Gage brings to the table when we know things are going to be physical and a little chippy,” Cole said. &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Cavazos (Jr., 6-3, G)</strong>: Safety on the football team. Fearless. Good shooter. Patiently waited for his opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joaquin Manning (Sr., 6-2, G)</strong>: Defensive end on the football team. Played mainly JV last season. Physically tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313549' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (Jr., 6-1, G)</strong>: Arguably the most dynamic athlete in the state. Already holds a New Mexico State offer in hoops. Described as a ‘true point guard.” Outstanding on-ball defender. Fantastic decision-making ability. High basketball IQ. Very strong. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313546' first='Darius' last='Steverson'] (Jr., 6-2, G/F): </strong>Currently recovering from a knee injury. Expected to return in time for the start of district play in late January. Missed most of the 2025-26 season with a torn ACL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of Cleveland's early season schedule includes home games against Capital and Santa Fe plus a road trip to Organ Mountain. Obviously, some of the aforementioned players also play football. Since Cleveland has appeared in seven straight Class 6A state championship games and very likely will get there again in 2026, those players won't be available for basketball until after Thanksgiving weekend. Once they get their entire roster in place, the Storm will be a formidable team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2066215979584287174","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2066215979584287174 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2044802367376540102","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/2044802367376540102 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Brycen_Bowie/status/2043839708862787884","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Brycen_Bowie/status/2043839708862787884 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops/status/1923907644307255324","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops/status/1923907644307255324 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2091704974359277742","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2091704974359277742 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2076815664598389024","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2076815664598389024 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->