Favorites dominate as Metro championship first round wraps

The favorites had their way on Tuesday night as the Albuquerque Metro Basketball Championships tipped off at eight sites around the city.

The eight boys winners and eight girls winners advanced to the quarterfinals, which are all being played at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

BOYS: Wednesday’s quarterfinals are Rio Rancho-La Cueva at West Mesa, Cleveland at Highland, Sandia at Cibola and Albuquerque High versus Volcano Vista at Rio Grande.

The highest profile game in Tuesday’s first round lost some of its luster because Hobbs’ 6-foot-8 junior forward, Malakhi David, who leads the Eagles in scoring and rebounding, is on the shelf with a left leg injury and is not expected to play at all this week at metros, Hobbs coach Ronald Ross said.

The sixth-ranked Eagles (11-3) clearly struggled without him in a 59-48 first-round loss to No. 3-ranked La Cueva (8-2) in a game played at West Mesa.

Junior guard Drew Bramlett started fast for the Bears, scoring 10 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter when La Cueva – who are undefeated against New Mexico competition – raced out quickly to a double-digit lead.

“It’s a long season, but we like where we’re headed,” Bramlett said.

Hobbs was limited at the offensive end without David, and couldn't shoot well enough to overcome his absence.

“We were ready for him if he played, but he didn’t and it made it easier on us,” Bramlett said.

Hunter Butler added 17 points for La Cueva.

While Bears coach Eric Orell said he was not pleased with his team’s defensive effort, he did concede the difference without David.

“What it allowed us to do is the ability to switch more, not having to worry about a big guy inside,” Orell said. “And so I think that allowed us to get up into them a little more than they were anticipating.”

La Cueva led comfortably throughout after gaining the early lead

La Cueva will play No. 1-ranked Rio Rancho at 7 p.m. Wednesday at West Mesa in the quarterfinals.

All 13 players in uniform for the Rams (10-0) scored in their 85-54 victory over West Mesa. Deshawn Sweet led the way with 17 points, Kayden Decker added 13 points.

No. 5-ranked Volcano Vista (8-2) moved on with a 76-34 win at Rio Grande. Junior forward David Lunn had 21 points and was 10-for-10 from the field. He also had four steals and five assists. Drey Montgomery contributed 19 points for the Hawks.

At Highland, in fourth-ranked Cleveland’s 88-66 win over Hope Christian, senior guard Remy Albrecht had a team-high 31 points for the Storm (9-2). Cleveland buried a dozen 3s in the victory.

Highland cruised past Eldorado 72-38 in the late game Tuesday at Highland, and the Hornets scored 59 of those points in the first half. Juan Limas had 18 points, Fedi Nunez 17 and Nico Sanchez 12 for Highland.

Albuquerque High (8-5) won 52-45 over Del Norte in a game at Rio Grande. Chris Cyphery canned four 3s and led the Bulldogs with 22 points. Noah Barela added 13 points for AHS.

At Cibola, Sandia (8-4) turned Valley over 39 times and dominated the Vikings 77-47. Lavodrick Hogues had 18 points, Dion Cumber 13 and Jacob Dawes 12 for the Matadors.

Cibola (7-4) was involved in the only real close game Tuesday, as the Cougars, with some late free throws, sealed a 62-59 victory over Atrisco Heritage. Elijah Martinez led Cibola with 27 points. Jonah Foster chipped with 12 points.

GIRLS: The favorites had a strong first night. Wednesday’s quarterfinals shake out this way: Kirtland Central at Volcano Vista, Hobbs at La Cueva, Rio Rancho at Sandia, and Cleveland at Albuquerque High.

At La Cueva on Tuesday, defending metro champ Hobbs throttled Atrisco Heritage 64-21. Xoey Ross, an eighth-grade point guard, blew up in the first quarter, scoring 16 of her team-best 23 points for the Eagles (12-2), who led 51-14 at halftime.

At Volcano Vista, Kirtland Central (10-1) had no trouble with Eldorado in a 71-34 victory. Haylee Nocki had 18 points for the Broncos, Zoey Benally 14 points and Allyson Tsosie 13.

No. 1-ranked Rio Rancho (11-0) made quick work of Rio Grande, whipping the Ravens 77-19 in a game played at Sandia. Madi Martinez came off the bench to score 19 points for the Rams, who got scoring from all but one of their players.

At Albuquerque High, Cleveland (7-4) advanced to the quarters with a 60-39 triumph over Del Norte. Danae Elzy scored 17 points for the Storm; Erin Winters knocked down three 3s and finished with 12 points.

In the late game at Volcano Vista, the host Hawks (5-5), ranked eighth in 5A, beat West Mesa 64-25. Jalysa Hines led the way with 13 points and five steals.

In the late game at La Cueva, the Bears’ 58-23 win over Highland was keyed by Jordyn Dyer’s 26 points. Payton Lobato added 17 points for La Cueva (6-3).

Sixth-ranked Sandia (9-1 and winners of nine in a row) posted a strong 68-48 home victory over Hope Christian. Chloe Brown had a team-best 24 points for the Matadors, and Kaiyah Benally scored 16 points.

At Bulldog City, fourth-ranked AHS (8-2) steamrolled Cibola 58-11. Abby Pavia had a double-double for Albuquerque High, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.