Team Preview: Atrisco Heritage Academy (NM)
In this article:
The Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars are coming off another solid campaign from last season. In a shortened regular season they finished with an 8-2 record that rewarded them the #4 seed in the 5A Class State Tournament. After defeating Sandia…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars are coming off another solid campaign from last season. In a shortened regular season they finished with an 8-2 record that rewarded them the #4 seed in the 5A Class State Tournament. After defeating Sandia in round one, they reached the semifinals vs #1 Cleveland and pushed the eventual state champions to the limit before coming up short 58-54 on the road. After brining back most of their roster from last season, expect 2 time state champion Head Coach Adrian Ortega and the Jaguars to be one of the early favorites to win the 5A State Championship this year.
Colby Wade Colby Wade 6'5" | PF Atrisco | 2022 State NM – 6’5 Center “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2022
Atrisco Heritage big man Colby Wade Colby Wade 6'5" | PF Atrisco | 2022 State NM quickly became one of the best players and big men last season by taking his play up a notch. He was one of the biggest factors for Atrisco’s success from last season and will be a key player once again this year. He is a very athletic big that can impact the game in various ways with his scoring, rebounding and defense. He is a very good offensive rebounder and is great at catching lob passes to finish off alley-oop dunks. According to Coach Adrian Ortega, he is one of this teams most consistent three point shooters and with his ability to space the floor as a big man makes Atrisco Heritage a tough team to guard. Expect Colby Wade Colby Wade 6'5" | PF Atrisco | 2022 State NM to be in the conversation for numerous awards and honors this season.
Javier Mendoza Javier Mendoza 5'11" | SG Atrisco Heritage | 2022 State NM – 6’2 Forward “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2022
Javier Mendoza Javier Mendoza 5'11" | SG Atrisco Heritage | 2022 State NM was the most all around player on Atrisco Heritage Academy last season and will be again for this year. He does everything for the Jaguars which includes his scoring, his ball handling when needed too and is one of their most consistent shooters. Javier Mendoza Javier Mendoza 5'11" | SG Atrisco Heritage | 2022 State NM is a versatile player that can play multiple positions offensively and can guard multiple positions defensively. He has great foot work and is one of New Mexico’s’ deadliest mid range shooters who lets the game come to him and doesn’t force shots. He is one of this teams leaders and according to Coach Adrian Ortega, Javier Mendoza Javier Mendoza 5'11" | SG Atrisco Heritage | 2022 State NM is one of the teams best scorers and their top defensive player that will guard the opposing teams best player. He will never shy away from taking on that challenge. Expect a big season from Javier, and numerous college offers to come his way throughout the season.
Tony Pacheco Tony Pacheco 6'0" | SF Atrisco Heritage | 2023 State NM – 6’1 Guard “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2023
Atrisco Heritage Guard Tony Pacheco Tony Pacheco 6'0" | SF Atrisco Heritage | 2023 State NM is one of this teams most important key players for this season. There is so much to his game that doesn’t get enough credit and recognition. According to Coach Adrian Ortega, he is the heart and soul of this team. He has a high work ethic and leads by example for all of the teams players and does whatever it takes to win at all costs. He is the glue guy of this team that keeps everyone accountable including himself with his outstanding leadership. He is one of the best two way Guards in the New Mexico community and is a team first guy who helps make his teammates better. He is a great finisher around the basket and three point shooter that can help this team win in various ways. Every team competing for a state championship needs a player like this on their squad.
Chris Parra Jr.– 6’0 Point Guard “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2023
Chris Parra Jr. is one of the best pure Point Guards in New Mexico that makes his teammates on the Jaguars better players on the court and makes everyone’s jobs easier. He controls the tempo offensively and plays the Point Guard position for Atrisco Heritage at a nice pace. His leadership and his communication with his teammates is what separates him from other Point Guards in New Mexico. He has been a varsity player since his freshman year and continues to improve his game each year. He is one of the best overall shooters in New Mexico and has unlimited range which is unguardable. Once he crosses half court, he can shoot the light out. He is a clutch shooter and scorer who has been big moments already as a junior. According to Coach Adrian Ortega, he has the green light to call plays on his own and lead Atrisco Heritage every time down the floor. Expect a breakout season from Chris Parra Jr..
Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM – 5’7 Point Guard “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2025
Freshman Point Guard Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM will get some important varsity experience this season as he looks like he will be a key player for Atrisco Heritage this year and in the near future. This season he will be a key player from that second unit that can bring an energy boost for this team. He also brings scoring and shooting to the floor offensively. Similar to teammate Chris Parra Jr, he can be a true point guard that can lead and direct the offense at a high level. Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM also makes his teammates better with his playmaking and has a good basketball IQ for a freshman player getting important playing time for one of the best basketball programs in New Mexico.
Diego Miscles– Forward “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2024
Sophomore Forward Diego Miscles had a solid freshman season playing on the JV level and saw himself floating on the varsity roster by the end of the season. Now in his sophomore year according to Coach Adrian Ortega, Diego is a potential starter for this upcoming season. This all started from his hard work improving on his game in the offseason attending numerous exposure camps and tournaments. He is a very underrated scorer that will have nice role for the Jaguars competing for the 5A State Championship this season.
Manny Sedillo– Guard “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2023
Guard Manny Sedillo will receive some important varsity experience this season after playing a huge role on the JV roster last season. He is a player that can also be another ball handler and floor general that can direct the offense. He can also play off the ball and can be a nice spot up three point shooter from the corners. He is also a multi sport athlete that can bring his energy in a game from the second unit.
Aiden Platero– Forward “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2022
Atrisco Forward Aiden Platero received some important varsity experience last season and will have a nice significant role this season as a senior. He is a very underrated mid range scorer and is great at attacking the basket offensively. At his size and playing the forward position, he is a solid rebounder and if the Jaguars put him in the game with small lineups don’t be surprised to see him putting in the extra effort inside the paint. After covering and watching his JV games from the last few seasons, expect Aiden to have a nice impact for Atrisco Heritage this season.
JJ Torres– Guard “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2022
Last season JJ Torres was the best player on the JV roster. He also was the teams leading scorer and the starting point guard for their squad. As the season went on, he received important playing time on varsity. He is an excelled and consistent three point shooter and according to Coach Adrian Ortega, will likely be the teams sixth man. JJ Torres will have a huge role with his scoring, shooting and playmaking off the bench this season.
Antonio Ortiz– 6’3 Center “Atrisco Heritage” Class of 2023
Atrisco Heritage big man Antonio Ortiz will have a important role this season being the backup big man to starting center Colby Wade Colby Wade 6'5" | PF Atrisco | 2022 State NM . At his size of 6’3, expect Antonio Ortiz to be a huge contributor being an inside presence for the Jaguars. He will get some important varsity experience this season so when he becomes a senior he’ll be the likely starting center next year.