2026-27 Team Preview: Highland Hornets

2026-27 HIGHLAND HORNETS PREVIEW   OVERVIEW   Seven months has passed since Highland won its third Class 4A state championship in the past five years with a nine-point win over Artesia at The Pit.   The 2026-27 edition of the Hornets will have a different look, though. The top two scorers (and three starters) from last season graduated, so Highland will rely on new leaders and some players will be expected to take on greater roles than last season.   “The culture and expectations and the mindset have been established,” Highland head coach Justin Woody told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “At this point, you don't want to be the group that doesn't have success. That's real motivation for our players. We've been very good the past seven years.”   Woody, who enters his 10th season as Highland head coach, has led the Hornets to FIVE state championship game appearances since 2020.   “Many of our players who will play a lot this year haven't been on the court as much,” Woody said. “We had a very good summer. We lost only a handful of games, mostly to Clas 5A teams. We just have to continue to work hard and get better. I like this group. They're a fun group to coach. They're eager to put their own stamp on the program.”   Woody said the team goals at the beginning of the season haven't changed: win the district championship and make it to the Pit in the state tournament.   “Once you get to the Pit, anything can happen,” Woody said. “We've been fortunate the past seven years to play a lot of games there. In the past, we've played well there and the moment hasn't been too big. We haven't been too nervous.”                  PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='3573852' first='Fede' last='Nunez'] (Sr., G, 6-3): The Hornets' top returning scorer (10.2 points per game) and distributor (2.5 assists per game). Excellent shooter. Shot 46 percent from the floor in 2025-26. Second in 3-pointers made. Shot 37 percent from long-range. Third-Team All-State selection. Led the Hornest with 17 points in the state championship game. “Fede has improved tremendously this summer and fall,” Woody said. “Obviously, he's going to have a bigger workload and getting more shots. He'll have the ball in his hands more. That's giving him more confidence to showcase his skills.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2402829' first='Jerry' last='Moody'] (Sr., F/C, 6-9): Second Team All-State honoree last season after averaging close to a double-double (10.0 points and 9.8 rebounds) and leading the Hornets in blocks. Shot a team-best 63 percent in 2025-26. Has been playing varsity basketball since he was a freshman. “Jerry continues to gain weight,” Woody said. “What's been most impressive about Jerry is how he's shooting the ball. He's much better now than he's ever been. He's been working on his outside game and ball handling quite a bit. He has the potential to play at the next level.”        NAMES TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='2553912' first='Treavon' last='Carter'] (Sr., 5-9, G): Averaged about 13 minutes and 3.0 points per game in 2025-26. Scored seven straight points in the fourth quarter of the state championship game, earning Unsung Hero accolades. Excellent defensive player. “He's very excited to take on a bigger workload in terms of minutes and shots,” Woody said. “He'll be our best defender this season. He'll guard the other team's best backcourt player. He's looking forward to that role.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2842944' first='Darian' last='Trujillo'] (Jr., 6-3, G): Likely will be the only junior in the starting lineup. Split time between the varsity and JV last season as a sophomore. Good size at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. Excellent athleticism. Good shooter. Able to penetrate. He production and playing time will take a huge leap in 2026-27. “Not many people know about him,” Woody said. “He's going to surprise a lot of people.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2842697' first='Curtis' last='Ryan'] (Sr., 5-7, G): Also plays football. Averaged about 10 minutes per game last season. Slated to start at point guard. He'll be the Hornets' primary ball handler. Makes good decisions. Doesn't turn the ball over. Should get a lot of assists. “Curtis is one of those guys you really need on the team,” Woody said. “Playing football has improved his confidence and toughness. Having a good season in football will only help him come basketball time.”   Jevonte Flores (So., 5-9, G): Likely the Hornets' Sixth Man in 2026-27. Saw limited action with the varsity last season as a freshman. Rising star. Working to improve his defense. “Jevonte has a ton of potential,” Woody said. “Very athletic. Good driver. He has good shooting range. He has all the skills offensively.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2842698' first='Brian' last='Salaz'] (Sr., 5-8, G): Appeared in 18 varsity games last season. Will contribute off the bench in 2026-27. Good 3-point shooter. Also playing football.   KEY NEWCOMERS   Emmanuel Balderrama (Sr., 5-8, G): Played mainly JV in 2025-26. Skilled offensive player. Spent the summer working on improving his quickness and defensive skills.   Cesar Rodriguez (Fr., 5-6, G): Played for the Highland JV as an 8th-grader last season. Likely serve as the backup point guard. Plenty of potential.     FINAL THOUGHTS   Highland opens the 2026-27 season – and the defense of its latest Class 4A state title - on Nov. 24 at Cibola before hosting Rio Grande on Dec. 1. Thery will compete in the Bernalillo Tournament in early December. The Hornets travel south in December for back-to-back games against Gadsden and Santa Teresa.   Highland will compete in the new look District 4A-5 against Bernalillo, Del Norte, Manzano, St. Pius X and Valley.

2026-27 HIGHLAND HORNETS PREVIEW