Storm goes wild from the 3-point line, and Cleveland creates three-way tie in District 1-5A

RIO RANCHO — Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista have, in some order or another, been the three highest-ranked boys basketball teams in Class 5A since the new year began.

It’s only fitting that these District 1-5A rivals have yet to find a solution to the 2025-26 regular season with only one night to go.

It was clearly in Volcano Vista’s hands as the second-ranked Hawks rode into No. 3 Cleveland’s gym on Tuesday night. A win Tuesday — coupled with a victory over Cibola on Thursday — would make the Hawks the outright 1-5A regular-season champion.

And now, this district, almost fittingly — barring a minor miracle from the Cougars — is headed to a playoff game next week.

The Storm buried Volcano Vista under a blizzard of 3-pointers for the better part of three quarters, and Cleveland beat the Hawks 82-75 to force a three-way tie for first place in 1-5A.

The three teams all are 7-2 in league play.

Rio Rancho (22-3) is at Cleveland (21-4) on Thursday to close the regular season; the winner of that game, and likely Volcano Vista unless the Hawks stumble Thursday against Cibola, would be in a playoff early next week to determine the top seed for next week’s 1-5A tournament.

And what Cleveland coach Zack Cole said of Volcano Vista back in November still rang quite true as he repeated the words in mid-February.

“It’s Volcano’s district until someone takes it from them,” Cole said.

The 82 points Volcano Vista scored against the Hawks (19-5, 7-1) were a season-high surrendered by the Hawks.

Ajay Vigil knocked down three 3s in the first quarter to ignite the Cleveland offense, and the Storm just torched Volcano Vista from the arc throughout.

The Storm shot 14-for-24 (58.3%) for the game, and that percentage was much higher through three quarters.

Cleveland made nine 3s in the first half, led by as many as 17 points (35-18) late in the first half, with Vigil canning four 3s, and Remy Albrecht and Cannon Cole hitting two apiece.

“Honestly, it’s all about confidence,” Vigil said. He finished with half a dozen 3s and 21 points. “We’ve been really preaching confidence about shooting and I feel that was it.”

There were more bombs from long range in the third quarter as the Storm kept Volcano Vista at bay. The Hawks (19-5) got within eight at one point, but 3s from Albrecht and Noah Valler extended the lead back to 14 at 43-29.

Volcano trailed by 13, 55-42, as the fourth quarter began. But the Hawks did make a run.

The Hawks were down 15 at 63-48 with 4½ minutes to go when they surged. Finley Fitak hit three straight 3s for Volcano to cut the deficit to 67-62 with 2:32 left, and Spirit Penn-Cook made a 3 moments later as the Hawks got within three at 68-65 with 2:02 remaining.

But that was as close as the comeback got. Albrecht made eight free throws down the stretch to help Cleveland put Volcano Vista away.

“We knew they’re gonna make a run,” Cole said. “We talked about how to withstand it, and play from ahead.”

Cleveland has beaten Volcano Vista twice in three meetings. The Storm beat the Hawks in the metro final; Volcano won the first 1-5A encounter.

“If we’re ahead,” Cole said, “we’re so good at closing out games because we’ve got guards who can take care of the ball.”

Albrecht led the Storm with 31 points, including 11 free throws in the second half.

David Lunn scored 20 points for Volcano Vista.

James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.