Girls Metro Basketball First Round Preview
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Girls metro basketball begins Tuesday January 4th, we take a look at each of the 16 teams in this tournament and every first round match-up taking place this Tuesday night. #1 Volcano Vista vs #16 Rio Grande Volcano Vista is…
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Continue ReadingGirls metro basketball begins Tuesday January 4th, we take a look at each of the 16 teams in this tournament and every first round match-up taking place this Tuesday night.
#1 Volcano Vista vs #16 Rio Grande
Volcano Vista is 7-0 this season and the #1 seed in this Metro Tournament. The defending state champions look like the team to beat in this tournament led by Coach Lisa Villareal. This team is led by future New Mexico Lobo commits, Natalia Chavez Natalia Chavez 5'9" | SG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM and Jaelyn Bates Jaelyn Bates 5'6" | PG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM . Natalia Chavez Natalia Chavez 5'9" | SG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM is averaging 16.3 points per game and Jaelyn Bates Jaelyn Bates 5'6" | PG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM averaging 11.6 points per game. Center Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM is averaging 13.0 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. Kennedy Brown Kennedy Brown 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM and Angelyn Aranda Angelyn Aranda 6'0" | C Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM also give this team energy and defense to round out this starting five. Rio Grande is the #16 seed and have an 0-8 record this season led by Coach Ryan Noce.
#8 Hope Christian vs #9 Rio Rancho
The Hope Christian Girls are 4-5 this season and are the #8 seed in this Metro Tournament. They have two nice wins vs two other teams in this Metro Tournament (West Mesa and Cibola). This team is led by senior players Taylor Sturtevant, Addy Kocurek, Alexah Montanes and Tristyn Lopez. The Rio Rancho Girls are 7-5 this season and own the #9 seed in this Metro Tournament. This team is led by captains Isabella Schalow, Halle Peterson and Olivia Bergsten.
#5 Albuquerque vs #12 Valley
The Albuquerque Bulldogs are 5-4 this season and own the #5 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by star player Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM who is averaging 21.2 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game this season. Ariana Sanchez Ariana Sanchez 5'10" | CG Albuquerque | 2023 State NM is averaging 10.3 points per game as the teams second leading scorer. The Valley Vikings are 3-5 this season and own the #12 seed in this Metro Tournament. This team is led by Shaela Carrillo and Tea Gonzales.
#4 Cleveland vs #13 Del Norte
The Cleveland Storm girls have had a solid season so far with an impressive 8-4 record this year. They have defeated Albuquerque and Rio Grande who are also in this tournament. This team is led by Seniors Allyson Frank Allyson Frank 6'0" | PF Cleveland (Rio Rancho) | 2022 State NM , Angelique Abeyta Angelique Abeyta 5'3" | PG Cleveland (RioRancho) | 2022 State NM , Mia Nelson and Yolanda Munoz. This is a experienced roster ready to make some noise in this tournament. The Del Norte Knight are 4-4 this season and they own the #13 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by Mikayla Westfall who is averaging 10.4 points per game and freshman Bleona Agushi who is averaging 8.8 points per game.
#3 Sandia vs #14 Cibola
The Sandia Matadors are 7-1 this season and their only loss came to Volcano Vista who is the defending 5A state champions and who is the #1 seed in this tournament. Sandia is the #3 seed led by freshman Sydney Benally who is averaging 15.5 points per game, freshman Hope Giddings who is averaging 12.8 points per game and Audrianna Wright who is averaging 9.6 points per game. They are also led by senior Mariah Maes Mariah Maes 5'9" | SF Sandia | 2022 State NM who is the leader of this young Matadors team. This Sandia Matadors team are more than capable of winning this Metro Tournament. The Cibola Cougars are 1-7 this season and are the #14 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by captains Leilani Soriano and Paige Zapach.
#6 Highland vs #11 West Mesa
Highland’s Girls are 8-2 this season and secured the #6 seed in this Metro Tournament. This is a team to keep your eyes on during this tournament. They have defeated three teams who also compete in this tournament, (Hope Christian, Del Norte and Eldorado). This team is led by Denice Ryan Denice Ryan 5'2" | PG Highland | 2022 State NM who is averaging 18.2 points per game and 4.0 assists per game. They are also getting strong contributions from Aaliyah Nevarez Aaliyah Nevarez 5'10" | SF Highland | 2023 State NM who is averaging 8.3 points per game. The West Mesa Mustangs are 3-5 this season and they own #11 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by Olivia Montano Olivia Montano 5'4" | CG Sandia | 2024 State NM who is averaging 11.0 points per game. Destiny Jackson Destiny Jackson 5'8" | CG West Mesa | 2024 State NM is also providing 7.1 points per game this season.
#7 Eldorado vs #10 Atrisco Heritage
The Eldorado Eagles are 4-4 this season and secured the #7 seed in this Metro Tournament being led by Coach Leroy Barela. This team has been led by freshman standout Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM who is averaging 25.8 points per game and received her first D1 scholarship from the University of New Mexico. This team has defeated four schools who are also competing in this Metro Tournament, (Atrisco Heritage, Cibola, Rio Grande and Manzano). The Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars are 3-5 this season and secured the #10 seed in this Metro Tournament. They are led by Coach Joe Montoya.
#2 La Cueva vs #15 Manzano
The La Cueva Bears are 5-3 this season and they are the #2 seed in this Metro Tournament. Their only losses this season came against Volcano Vista who is undefeated and Organ Mountain who is 9-3 this season. They are led by senior Rylie Ottmann Rylie Ottmann 5'7" | PG La Cueva | 2022 State NM who is averaging 12.6 points per game and Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM who is averaging 11.7 points per game. They are also getting strong contributions from Carolina Romero who is averaging 9.4 points per game and Teona Savic Teona Savic 5'7" | SF La Cueva | 2022 State NM who is averaging 7.3 points per game. This La Cueva Bears team is one of the favorites to win this tournament. The Manzano Monarchs are 0-9 this season and are the #15 seed in this Metro Tournament. This team is led by Coach Roger Williams.