2025-26 Team Preview: Valencia Jaguars

2025-26 VALENCIA JAGUARS PREVIEW   OVERVIEW   Valencia finished 9-17 last season (1-7 in District 4A-5) as the Jaguars struggled in one of the top districts in the entire state. Four of their top five scorers from 2024-25 are back, offering hope they will be improved in the upcoming season.   “We're more experienced this season than what we've been the last two years,” Valencia head coach Jesse Hathoot told Prep Hoops New Mexico. “That should help. The last two years we've had a respectable record going into district play, and put ourselves into position to possibly make the tournament. We have to perform better in the district. To do that, we have to get better every single day and peak when late January and February comes around.”           PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='2283972' first='Carin' last='Bustillos'] (Jr., 6-2, G): Last season's leading scorer at 12.4 points per game + 5.7 rebounds. Scored over 300 points for the Jaguars. Expected to take his game to another level in 2025-26. “He's one of the top five players in Class 4A,” Hathoot said. “He gives us a chance to be very competitive this year. He's very versatile. He's basically a 6-foot-2 point guard. He's an excellent passer. He can score from all three levels. He's an excellent defender and rebounder. He gets his teammates involved. He can still get a lot better, though. He's definitely our best player.”        [player_tooltip player_id='1717301' first='Jared' last='Porter'] (Sr., 5-11, G): Valencia's second leading scorer last season. Averaged 11.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Also scored 300+ points. “Porter is a very good shooter and great athlete,” Hathoot said. “He complements Bustillos really well. They play well together. He's been a big part of our team since he was a sophomore.”           Jai Russ (Sr., 6-3, F/C): Solid contributor last season. Averaged 5.6 and 5.3 rebounds per game. “Jai made a huge jump during the offseason and I think he's poised for a big senior year,” Hathoot said. “Last season he was more of a role player. Now he's positioned to be one of the better big men in Class 4A. It's impressive how much he has improved since he was a freshman until now.  Very good passer and rebounder. He impacts the game in so many ways. Bustillos, Porter and Russ give us a lot of excitement going into the season.”         NAMES TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='1717302' first='Diego' last='Baeza'] (Sr., 6-3, F): An outstanding offensive lineman for the Jaguars football team. Next level talent. Played basketball last season and was Valencia's third leading scorer at 7.9 ppg. Hathoot hopes Baeza will play hoops this season. He's listed on the preseason roster. “He's got a lot of college football potential, which I respect,” Hathoot said. “I'm hopeful. If he plays, he'll give us two solid big men. He's a matchup problem for the opponents because he's so big and strong.”   [player_tooltip player_id='2882825' first='Markus' last='Medina'] (Jr.): Expected to become a major contributor as the backup point guard after dividing time between the JV and varsity teams. Good shooter and facilitator.   [player_tooltip player_id='2882826' first='Luke' last='Terrell'] (Jr.): Saw most of his action last season at the JV level but did get some experience with the varsity. Good athleticism. Good shooter. Excels in transition. Good defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='2882830' first='Javin' last='Garcia'] (Jr.): Will come off the bench. Defensive specialist. Described as a “disruptor' and “pest on the ball” defensively. Good speed and quickness. Capable shooter.       KEY NEWCOMERS   Liam Brogdon (Fr.): Huge upside. Plenty of potential to become a very good player for the Jaguars in the future. Has a chance to earn a spot in the rotation this season. Gym rat.  “By the time we get to mid-season and he's had a chance to get acclimated to varsity speed and pace, he'll be ready,” Hathoot said. “He played with the varsity all summer and did very well. I think he's going to be one of the better freshman in the state this year.”   Andres Lopez (Jr.): Played extensively for the JV team last season. Could be a role player for the Jaguars this season. Good shooter. Willing to do a lot of the ‘dirty work.' Always gives great effort.      FINAL THOUGHTS   Valencia has a busy first week of the season. The Jaguars open the 2025-26 season on Nov. 22 with a home game against Deming. After that, they hit the road for contests at Gallup (Nov. 25) and Espanola Valley (Nov. 29). The Jaguars will compete in the North-South Challenge in January.   Valencia competes in the highly competitive District 4A-5 with Belen, Grants, Highland and St. Pius.     “We're not very deep,” Hathoot said. “We may have a lot of JV guys on our bench. If we stay out of foul trouble and avoid the injury bug, we'll have a shot to be competitive.”   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gold Crown Team Camp 2025 ✅ <a href="https://t.co/27kY9Bah2L">pic.twitter.com/27kY9Bah2L</a>— Valencia Jaguar Boys Basketball (@VHSJagHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/VHSJagHoops/status/1934360440395682206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote>

2025-26 VALENCIA JAGUARS PREVIEW