5A Quarterfinals: Preview & Predictions
#1 Volcano Vista Hawks vs #9 Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (8:15pm/The PIT): The two meetings during district play favored the Hawks. The story for the Hawks in the first round was the story that we knew all season -- Sean Atler (2023) is a stud. He dropped 27 points in the win. All-New Mexico standout Chris Parra (2023) is back for Atrisco Heritage and the Jags have enough talented to do the "unthinkable".
Prediction: Volcano Vista 60, Atrisco Heritage 51
#2 Sandia Matadors vs #7 Cleveland Storm (4:45pm/The PIT): Similar to the VV-AH game the Sandia Matadors and Cleveland Storm met this season and the results are a bit mixed. Sandia came out ahead on both games but the first was a 20-point win (77-57) followed by a week later the Storm used a big first half to take a lead before Sandia's big fourth quarter moved them ahead for the win, 66-59.
Prediction: Sandia 68, Cleveland 57
#3 Los Lunas Tigers vs #11 La Cueva Bears (1:15pm/The PIT): This has the potential to be the standoff of the day. Both will run their sets, control the tempo, and use their talent. Cameron Dyer and Jalin Holland are two must-see 2025 prospects -- however both feature seniors that carry the load this post-season. Ezra Guest and Geleio Griego for Los Lunas and Cedarious Yates on the La Cueva side.
Prediction: Los Lunas 54, La Cueva 52
#4 West Mesa Mustangs vs #5 Organ Mountain Knights (9:45am/The PIT): The storyline for the 5A quarterfinals could read the same -- talent. The Knights feature junior Brandon Kehres, a 6-foot-5 forward with next level talent. He's putting in 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. West Mesa has the core of Elijah Brody (2024) and Sonny Ortiz (2023) providing the punch for a talent Mustangs group.
Prediction: West Mesa 61, Organ Mountain 52
#1 Volcano Vista Hawks vs #9 Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (8:15pm/The PIT): The two meetings during district play favored the Hawks. The story for the Hawks in the first round was the story that we knew all season -- Sean Atler (2023) is a stud. He dropped 27 points in the win. All-New Mexico standout Chris Parra (2023) is back for Atrisco Heritage and the Jags have enough talented to do the "unthinkable".
Prediction: Volcano Vista 60, Atrisco Heritage 51
#2 Sandia Matadors vs #7 Cleveland Storm (4:45pm/The PIT): Similar to the VV-AH game the Sandia Matadors and Cleveland Storm met this season and the results are a bit mixed. Sandia came out ahead on both games but the first was a 20-point win (77-57) followed by a week later the Storm used a big first half to take a lead before Sandia's big fourth quarter moved them ahead for the win, 66-59.
Prediction: Sandia 68, Cleveland 57
#3 Los Lunas Tigers vs #11 La Cueva Bears (1:15pm/The PIT): This has the potential to be the standoff of the day. Both will run their sets, control the tempo, and use their talent. Cameron Dyer and Jalin Holland are two must-see 2025 prospects -- however both feature seniors that carry the load this post-season. Ezra Guest and Geleio Griego for Los Lunas and Cedarious Yates on the La Cueva side.
Prediction: Los Lunas 54, La Cueva 52
#4 West Mesa Mustangs vs #5 Organ Mountain Knights (9:45am/The PIT): The storyline for the 5A quarterfinals could read the same -- talent. The Knights feature junior Brandon Kehres, a 6-foot-5 forward with next level talent. He's putting in 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. West Mesa has the core of Elijah Brody (2024) and Sonny Ortiz (2023) providing the punch for a talent Mustangs group.
Prediction: West Mesa 61, Organ Mountain 52
