2026-27 Team Preview: Belen Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026-27 BELEN EAGLES PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belen went 18-12 and finished second in District 4A-5 with a 7-2 record in 2025-26. They earned the No. 8 seed for the Class 4A state tournament and hosted a first-round game. But they fell to No. 9 Portales in the first round in a disappointing conclusion to a good season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For 2026-27, despite losing five seniors to graduation, Belen returns its top scorer from last season along with several solid role players who should see their minutes increase substantially.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I know a lot of people feel we might be down,” Belen head coach Donald Marquez told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “Actually, we have a very strong team. We had a great summer and our guys played well. We have a lot more size this year. We'll have more height. Many of our players learned from the experience of playing in the state tournament. Losing in the first round has made our guys hungry for the season.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&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='3573862' first='Pablo' last='Aguilar'] (Sr., G, 5-9):</strong> First-Team All-District in 2025-26. One of Belen's top scorers. Also a good distributor. Improved over the summer by spending countless hours in the gym and weight room. “Pablo is definitely going to be one of our top players,” Marquez said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rodney Masterman (Sr., F, 6-5)</strong>: Missed a large portion of last season with an injury. The Eagles missed the length he brings to the floor. Able to score from all three levels. “Rodney is healthy and looking very good,” Marquez said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Montoya (Sr., G, 6-2)</strong>: One of Belen's major players last season. Very athletic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Torin Karnes (Sr., G, 5-11)</strong>: Three-year starter for the Eagles. Hard-nosed defender. Good shooter from long-range. &nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ismael Cano</strong> (Sr., G, 5-8): Brother of Gonzalo Cano, the quarterback on the Belen football team. Good defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaac Trujillo (Jr., G, 5-10)</strong>: Injured part of last season. Full healed. Displayed his shooting skills throughout the off-season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dan Garcia (Jr., G, 5-8)</strong>: Saw limited action with the varsity last season as a sophomore. Set to be the backup point guard. High hoops IQ. Good ball handler and distributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Gonzales (Jr., G, 5-8)</strong>: Good defender. Capable shooter from long-range. Saw significant action with the varsity as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY NEWCOMERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnny Candelaria (So., F, 6-3):</strong> Played mostly JV last season. Brings good length to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colt Salas (Jr.)</strong>: Played on JV last season. Elite athleticism. Good speed. Will run the floor in Belen's high tempo style. Goos shooter. Also able to finish at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dante Sanchez (Jr., F, 6-3)</strong>: Played JV last season. Brings good length. Good defender. Excellent shooter from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braylon Chavez (So., C, 6-5)</strong>: Another promising, young, raw player who will bring good size to the Eagles. Off the bench. Likely to divide his time between varsity and JV. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belen opens the 2026-27 season at Valley on Dec. 1. The Eagles will then compete at the Sandia Prep Tournament in early December and the Hub City Tourney in Belen in mid-December. The Eagles will also compete again in the North-South Shootout. This year, the event will be hosted by Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belen will compete in District 4A-6 with Albuquerque Academy, Grants, Hope Christian and Valencia. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->