The Biggest X-Factors Going Into District Play Across New Mexico

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the first half of the High School Basketball regular season complete, the second half of the season is underway as we start district play across New Mexico. Their is so much on the line as district starts this week. Their play in district will determine how their seeded for the district tournament and state tournaments. With that being said, their is several X-Factors on several contenders and playoff contenders who can increase their teams chances at winning a district title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']</strong> "Sandia" F: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']</strong> is the Sandia Matadors most important player. He is averaging a near double-double of about 10 points per game and 8 rebounds per game. He is often the most intense player on the floor and has limitless energy on both ends. He is the ultimate team guy and does whatever is required to win. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']</strong> is arguably the teams best defensive player and can hold his own guarding almost every position on the floor. If he continues making the winning plays he's made all season, expect the Sandia Matadors to be in the drivers seat for their district title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295239' first='Jonathon' last='Lukesh']</strong> "Rio Grande" SG: The team to beat in 5A-District 5 is the Los Lunas Tigers but if <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295239' first='Jonathon' last='Lukesh']</strong> can provide consistent scoring with efficiency, the Rio Grande Ravens have proven they can compete with anyone. The Ravens co-star is averaging an impressive 14.3 points per game as the teams second leading scorer. If he can take some pressure off his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1234592' first='Jonah' last='Lopez'], the Ravens can make some noise in this district this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276346' first='Mike' last='Knaub']</strong> "Eldorado" F: The Eagles Forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276346' first='Mike' last='Knaub']</strong> will be a player that his district will have problems with. He is a big Forward who can handle the basketball like a Guard and is most dangerous when he has the basketball. In transition, he is a threat for a fast break dunk at the rim and complements teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1362491' first='Caileb' last='Parham'] well as an inside presence in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> "La Cueva" CG: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> from the La Cueva Bears is one of the most well-rounded players of the 2025 Class. Despite being just a sophomore, he has already emerged as the Bears most all-around player. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> is a double-digit scorer consistently and a reliable player every game out. He does a lot of his damage inside the paint and has only attempted twelve threes-pointers all season, because of that he's made 51% of his shots. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> is a player I'd want more with the basketball in his hands because of his decision making. He is averaging 10.4 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 4.7 assists per game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong> is 6th in New Mexico in assists per game and does a great job setting up his teammates. He has done a great job this season taking pressure off his senior leaders; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208049' first='Josiah' last='Guliford']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato']</strong> "La Cueva" PF/C: An argument can be made that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato']</strong> has been the La Cueva Bears most important player this season. You can take that a step further saying that he has been their most consistent as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176299' first='Daniel' last='Lovato']</strong> is averaging a near double-double of 10.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore year. Without his presence inside on both ends of the floor, the Bears wouldn't have the same success. He is a good low post scorer, offensive rebounder and holds his own inside. If he takes his play to another level in district, the Bears can easily compete for another district title this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678143' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong> "Cleveland" F: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678143' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong> from the Cleveland Storm plays his role really well. He is the utility player that c does all of the little things on the floor for the Storm. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678143' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong> is the teams most athletic player from his football background, but brings toughness and grit to the Storm Basketball program. Because of his teammates; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht']</strong> getting most of the attention, that opens things up for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678143' first='Nic' last='Trujillo']</strong>. He can easily drop 20+ points a game but knows his role and makes the most of it. If he continues as a consistent third option for this team, they will be a force to be reckoned with during district play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678037' first='Anthony' last='Gonzales']</strong> "Volcano Vista" CG: Without a doubt the most underrated player on the Volcano Vista Hawks, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678037' first='Anthony' last='Gonzales']</strong> is a steady senior player who can play either guard position. He can run the offense really well under control and play off the ball and space the floor with his three-point shooting. This season, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678037' first='Anthony' last='Gonzales']</strong> has taken over his share of games and theirs no reason to think he won't do it a few times during district play for the Hawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> "West Mesa" F: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> has been quite the addition for the West Mesa Mustangs this season. He has lived up to the hype as advertised coming into the season as the biggest transfer of the off-season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> has hit his share of game winners, clutch shots and has helped the Mustangs come up big in crunch time situations this year. At this time of the year with district play upon us, this is why he was brought here, to give the Mustangs another threat on their roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> is the perfect fit on the Mustangs and was the missing piece from last season. The acquisition will continue to pay dividends for the Mustangs as they compete in possibly the toughest district this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678035' first='Antonio' last='Ortiz']</strong> "Volcano Vista" F/C: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678035' first='Antonio' last='Ortiz']</strong> is a player Atrisco Heritage will rely on for sure now that they're entering district play. His interior defense and rebounding can definitely make the biggest impact when he goes up against the Volcano Vista Hawks size. He does a great job at blocking shots inside and altering shots from his opponents. In my opinion he should get more touches on the offensive end of the floor because he shoots a high percentage and he can potentially get Volcano Vista's big's in foul trouble which can be a mismatch in favor of Atrisco Heritage. It will be interesting to see how he matches up vs the other teams in that district as well because he can take pressure off his guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679993' first='David' last='Gutierrez']</strong> "Volcano Vista" CG/SF: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679993' first='David' last='Gutierrez']</strong> is the Volcano Vista Hawks best two-way player on a team loaded with talent. He can also be labeled as a player who can get hot from outside in the blink of an eye. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679993' first='David' last='Gutierrez']</strong> can lock down the opposing best offensive player and can impact the game in various facets of the game. He will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams on both ends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->