Season preview: Sandia and Hobbs lead the pack in Class 5A girls basketball

The girls basketball teams from Sandia and Hobbs opened the Class 5A season against one another.

There is significant belief that those two could end the season against one another.

The defending state champion Matadors and the Eagles start the 2024-25 season as large favorites in the division.

“The biggest challenge is making sure we stay hungry, that we don’t get complacent, that we’re playing to our standards,” Sandia coach Lee Kettig said.

Sandia beat Hobbs 53-48 Saturday in Albuquerque. The Matadors return the Gatorade Player of the Year in Princeton-bound senior guard Sydney Benally, plus two of her running mates the last four years, Audri Wright and Hope Giddings. All are 5-feet-9. All of Sandia’s starters are back for a run at a repeat title.

Benally had a magnificent 35-point game in the state final, a 49-45 victory over Volcano Vista.

“They are just as hungry, if not more so, than last year,” Kettig said.

Hobbs had no seniors last season, and went 40-0 over the summer, the best summer the program has had, coach Joe Carpenter said.

“If you’re gonna beat us, the best time is early,” Carpenter said.

The Eagles feature one of the elite backcourts in 5A, with seniors Bhret Clay and Nakia Mojica, who were the team’s top two scorers last season. Senior Kyndle Cunningham (5-11) brings the size for Hobbs.

The Matadors and Eagles are both entered in January’s metro tournament in Albuquerque.

“They’re the only team in the state that’s matched up well with us,” Carpenter said.

Beyond Sandia and Hobbs, other teams expected to be in the 5A mix include Rio Rancho, Mayfield, Volcano Vista, Farmington and Albuquerque High.

Rio Rancho may be one of those teams that contends strongly for the District 1 championship, as the Rams are coming off a 19-win season in which most of the team’s best players were underclassmen.

Madi Martinez, a 5-5 freshman shooting guard, is one of the most explosive scorers in 5A, and burst onto the scene last season as an eighth-grader. Her twin Larissa, and older sister Lilly, also are solid players. Jemmah Estrada, who is 5-10, was an all-district post for the Rams.

For state runner-up Volcano Vista, 5-4 senior point guard Mila Espinoza returns, as does 5-8 senior forward Adriana Zavala.

“I’m happy with where we’re at right now,” said Hawks coach Lisa Villareal, “with all the inexperience we have on our squad.”

Stacy Pokorski, a former La Cueva assistant, is taking over at Cleveland, which features the team’s top returning scorer in 5-5 junior combo guard Savannah Madueno. And the Storm, which plans to go more up tempo with veteran guards in the backcourt, expects contributions from a couple of players who are returning from injuries, as well.

Farmington, which has consistently been one of 5A’s top programs, has been moved into District 1, where the Scorpions are expected to be heard from plenty. Junior guard Kjani Anitielu averaged double figures last season for Farmington.

In Sandia’s District 2, La Cueva is the clear top threat to Sandia. The Bears opened the season on Monday with a 60-53 victory over Albuquerque High, and 5-8 junior guard/wing Jordyn Dyer, one of 5A’s most versatile talents, had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the victory.

“I think we have a good chance,” said La Cueva coach Marisa Cogan. “I think we’ll surprise some people.”

Cogan also is high on 5-4 freshman point guard Payton Lobato.

Santa Fe and Capital have joined District 2, replacing Farmington and Piedra Vista. Eldorado and Manzano round out the league.

Eldorado had a terrific 2023-24 season, but there have been significant personnel losses since March, most notably LSU signee, senior guard Bella Hines who left Eldorado for a new club team at ABC Prep. The Eagles graduated their other two top scorers and seven overall, and return just two players with varsity experience.

Albuquerque High is a clear favorite in District 5. The Bulldogs won 24 games last season, and return most of their starting lineup.

Running the show this season? That would be 5-4 eighth-grader Abrielle Pavia. (You may have heard of her older brother, Diego.) Lailah Bouldin, a junior guard, led AHS in scoring last season.

“We’ve got some really good, young kids coming back,” Bulldogs coach Teri Morrison said. She’s starting her second season at Bulldog City. “I think we’ll be super tough and physical.”

How the rest of District 5 will look is unknown.

West Mesa 5-7 senior point guard Monique Sena scored 28 points in the Mustangs’ opener against Rio Rancho, and she’s already getting some college looks, coach Manny Otero said, adding that the Mustangs will benefit in a less demanding district than the one they were in, District 2, which last season had La Cueva, Sandia, Farmington and Eldorado.

Rio Grande features a solid scorer in junior guard Sophia Lopez, and Los Lunas, which certainly should be a factor in District 5, returns a fine scoring guard in 5-6 senior Tessa Jaramillo.

CLASS 4A: Kirtland Central is the defending champion. But Gallup is the team that appears to be the favorite to hoist a blue trophy on Bob King Court.

“They are top five in the entire state,” Valencia coach Ray Montoya said.

The metro area is heavily represented in two districts, 5 and 6. St. Pius, the District 5 champ a season ago, fell in the 4A state final to Kirtland Central.

“For them,” Sartans coach Brio Rode said, “that opened the door for belief. Now that they got a taste, they’re a little more hungry.”

A majority of St. Pius’ core group returns for another run at a title. Top returners include 5-1 senior floor general Catalina Anaya at the point, plus 6-1 senior post Macy Freeze. Senior Bella Candelaria is a reliable shooter.

Valencia is a serious challenger to St. Pius in that district, led by 5-5 senior guard Jadyn Montoya who averaged over 20 points a game last season.

The Jaguars, who were the only other team from the metro area besides St. Pius to get as far as the 4A quarterfinals, bring back seven players, and it’s a roster with length, speed and depth, coach Montoya said. Key for Valencia is providing Jadyn Montoya with scoring assistance.

“I don’t think there’s a ceiling (with this team),” coach Montoya said. “The girls have made high goals … competing with all the top teams.”

Highland missed the playoffs last season, but is looking to get back, led by 5-6 junior all-district guard Rebecca Neal (who averaged a double-double last season) and 5-5 senior guard Breanna Payton. It will be an experienced team that is coming off a productive summer.

From District 6, Albuquerque Academy is the defending champ. The Chargers lost at home as a 5 seed at state, and have a new coach in Josh Skarsgard, himself once a prominent player at the Academy.

Addie Sprately, a 5-10 junior power forward, is the reigning district player of the year. The Chargers have four freshmen who played as eighth-graders, and have seven returners overall for a team with size and depth up front and in the backcourt.

“Continuity and confidence is how they win in March,” Skarsgard said, adding, “That loss (in March) can help springboard them this year.”

Hope Christian was a state qualifier, and the Huskies could be the top threat to Academy. The Huskies have an imposing front line with the Bishop sisters, Mia, a 6-1 junior post, and Bri, a 6-footer who plays forward. But the Huskies also have some talented (albeit young) guards, which gives coach Michael Cole optimism.

“I think we’re gonna be pretty good,” Cole said.

Also in District 6, 2010 Valley graduate Angel Reyes, a star in her playing days in the North Valley, has returned to coach the Vikings, who will be a young group with just two seniors. Del Norte’s Bleona Agushi, a 5-5 senior combo guard, is one of the top returning players in the league. Bernalillo also has a proven returner in 6-3 sophomore post Trinity Calabaza.

OTHER CLASSES: Menaul in 2A was a state quarterfinalist (a 5 seed) last March, and the Panthers, who won 22 games, have a new head coach in Martin Apodaca. Menaul graduated its top three scorers. … In 3A, Sandia Prep was the only metro-area school to qualify for state last season; the Sundevils return their second-leading scorer, 5-5 freshman guard Madlyn Dopson.

In high school basketball tipoff, Sandia girls defeat Hobbs: Photos