Prep Hoops New Mexico Team Preview: Cleveland Storm

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong>: The Cleveland Storm started off the 2021-22 season with an impressive 10-3 record going into the Albuquerque Metro Basketball Tournament in early January. The second half of the season they finished 3-13 and 13-16 overall as the defending 5A State Champions from a season prior. They tied for fourth place in the toughest district in New Mexico; 5A-District 1. Cleveland was clearly better than what their record represented last season. The Storm still made the playoffs and secured the #11 seed. The teams season ended on the road vs #6 Los Lunas in a 59-53 loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1</strong>: Atrisco Heritage, Cibola, Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: <strong>Cole Savage</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody'],<strong> Cole Baca</strong>, <strong>Damian Molina</strong> and <strong>Antonio Avila</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Additions: <strong>Daniel Masterson</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Sandoval</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Varsity Players: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1485724' first='AJ' last='Manning']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson'], <strong>Nic Trujillo</strong>, <strong>Wequai Shendo-Smith</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208048' first='Josia' last='Ortiz']</strong>,<strong> Noah Padilla</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Analysis: The Cleveland Storm had a down season last year by their standards but, <strong>Sean Jimenez</strong> is going into his seventh season as the Head Coach for the Cleveland Storm and has produced nothing but success. When you look at his resume in his tenure, its impressive. He has never missed the playoffs as their Head Coach and has made the State Tournament the last six seasons. <strong>Sean</strong> has two district titles, five seasons reaching the final four, two State Championship Game appearances and one State Title in 2021. When you factor in that he's coached in the toughest district in New Mexico that has accounted for five of the last six State Championships, makes these achievements more impressive. He has a 123-47 record through six seasons which is a winning percentage of over 72%. All this information is important to factor in why its never a good idea to count out the Cleveland Storm, plus the players they have returning. They will be led by Star Shooting Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson']</strong> who is in the conversation as one of the best players in New Mexico. Its hard to believe that this will already be his third year on varsity after seeing him grow since his freshman year. He can do it all for Cleveland and is the leader of this team. Freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong> was the first 8th grader in program history to make this team and is a returning starter that the team has high hopes for. Head Coach<strong> Sean Jimenez</strong> described<strong> Remy</strong> as a "Wizard" with his style of play. He is a fearless scoring first point guard who isn't afraid of anyone standing in his way. <strong>Remy</strong> has improved a lot this past off-season. <strong>Nic Trujillo</strong> the football star, will be making his third round on this basketball program and was a part of the State Championship team from two seasons ago with <strong>Sean</strong> and <strong>Daniel</strong>. He is a next-level athlete that is tough and plays bigger than what he is. <strong>Nic</strong> will play another big role for the Storm this year as they try to bounce back from last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208048' first='Josia' last='Ortiz']</strong> had a great summer and is a player to keep your eyes on for this season. Head Coach <strong>Sean Jimenez</strong> gave high praise of <strong>Josia</strong>, saying "he's the hardest worker on both sides of the floor." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1485724' first='AJ' last='Manning']</strong> is a sophomore that is well rounded defensively. He works extremely hard, is a good passer and has high basketball IQ. <strong>AJ</strong> is the player that makes the team gel with one another. <strong>Noah Padilla</strong> is another guard who will be a potential starter this season. He can defend and shoot the ball at a high level. <strong>Wequai Shendo-Smith</strong> is a cross-country star that can shoot the ball at a high level. He will have a nice role spacing the floor for the Storm<strong>. Isaiah Sandoval</strong> is the teams best three-point shooter percentage wise and has the highest basketball IQ on the team according to Head Coach <strong>Sean Jimenez</strong>.<strong> Daniel Masterson</strong> moved up from JV and will get quality minutes this season. He is tough as nails and is a well rounded basketball player. The Cleveland Storm are bringing back nine players from last season and that experience will pay dividends this year. Many people forget that this team just won the 5A State Championship just two seasons ago and will be in the mix this year like they always are. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roster: <strong>Daniel Masterson</strong>, <strong>Isaiah Sandoval</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1485724' first='AJ' last='Manning']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson'], <strong>Nic Trujillo</strong>, <strong>Wequai Shendo-Smith</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208048' first='Josia' last='Ortiz']</strong>, <strong>Noah Padilla</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>Sean Jimenez</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator -->