Future Lobo squares off against Jake Hall's brother in California high school game

The Lobos didn't come back from San Diego on Sunday with their primary goal accomplished.

But the trip west was hardly a complete loss.

Friday night, there was plenty of Lobo love in the air at Santa Fe Christian High School in Solana Beach, California — 22 miles up the coast from Viejas Arena where UNM lost to San Diego State on Saturday night.

In a packed high school gym in Solana Beach, San Diego's Francis Parker Lancers managed a dramatic 63-60 win over the Santa Fe Christian Eagles.

Francis Parker junior Tavid Johnson, who committed in November to play for the Lobos, had 17 points, nine rebounds and a pair of blocked shots in the win. Johnson, a four-star recruit, is one of the best prospects in the San Diego area. Dax Hall, the younger brother of UNM Lobo freshman Jake Hall, starred for Santa Fe Christian.

UNM head coach Eric Olen, several staff members and a handful of Lobo players, including Jake Hall, of course, were on hand to watch one, maybe two, future teammates.

"I mean, it's huge. The love that the coaching staff and the players have shown me, the culture they have that they're all coming to this game, that's just something I want to be a part of," Johnson said after the game. "Man, I couldn't be more excited to go to Albuquerque."

Both prep stars, who are friends and have played club ball together, were on the court mingling with the Lobo coaches and players after the game — smiling, laughing and talking a little trash like they were already all teammates.

Olen has been recruiting the still-just-16-year-old guard Johnson for several years.

"I've known Olen and a lot of the coaching staff since I was 13 years old when they're back here at UCSD (UC San Diego) and they've been recruiting for a long time," Johnson said. "They've been believing in me for a long time."

He said his Nov. 26 recruiting visit to the Pit "felt like home."

Olen and current Lobo coaches can't comment on future recruits until they've signed a National Letter of Intent, which a high school player cannot do until at least November of their senior season.

Johnson is part of the Class of 2027, though there have been rumblings in recruiting circles of a possible reclassification that would allow him to join the Lobos next season.

For now, though, that's far from a front-burner concern.

"I'm just focused on this season and making sure this season counts," said Johnson, who's still being recruited by other schools despite his commitment to the Lobos. "Whatever happens after the season happens. But I'm not focused on that. I'm still class of 2027, you know? I'm just focused on the season."

This season, the 6-foot-3 Johnson is averaging 25.8 points per game. He has tremendous upside as a three-level scorer — especially capable in the midrange game and on drives to the basket.

Friday, Johnson was mostly being guarded by the 6-foot-2 Dax Hall.  The younger Hall is a better passer and defender at this level than was his older brother. He's also been offered a scholarship to UNM.

While Dax Hall didn't get the win on his home court on Friday night, the visit from older brother and the Lobos meant a lot.

"Jake's obviously my family and this coaching staff has just done a great job building a relationship with the Hall family," said Dax. "I loved having them come out. I wanted to perform — big crowd, atmosphere was great and there's extra motivation when they're in town and they come here to watch, especially Jake. I want to play good in front of him every single time. I want to show that I can play at the next level with him."

After the loss — one in which Dax Hall missed a would-be game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer — what was younger brother expecting to hear from big brother?

"He's going to tell me I suck and I need to get back in the gym," Dax said with a smile. "That's big brother love, right?"

Sibling rivalry aside, big brother's success this season (Jake Hall is leading the Lobos in scoring) makes Dax confident as ever about his potential at the Division I level.

"I know I can hang with him, as much as he might say he disagrees with that," Dax said. "I knew he was gonna go out and score 15 a game. I knew he was gonna be in contention for freshman of the year. I know how good Jake is, and so I'm not too surprised."

Dax said his recruiting is starting to pick up, and it's not entirely clear if his path will be the same as his brother's, but he would have no problem playing for Olen and UNM.

"I feel like I was under-recruited through my junior year," Dax said. "But that's been changing. I feel like I'm playing some good basketball. I'm leading the county in points per game and assists. It's definitely ramped up a little bit, the recruiting, but I'd love to play with Jake in college. That'd be a dream."

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.