Rams heading to Holiday Hoops Championship

Holiday Hoops Tournament – Semifinal Game 2

@ RRHS, Dec. 27, 2024

RIO RANCHO 75, HOPE CHRISTIAN 51

RIO RANCHO – Calls to, “Hold the ball!” rang out from the Rams bench as both teams watched the final seconds of the game tick away and host school Rio Rancho walk away with the 75-51 victory over Hope Christian in the semifinal round of the Holiday Hoops Tournament at RRHS on Friday night.

The game was a series of tests for the emerging Rams, who now have a 7-1 record, their best start to a season since 2006, when they finished 30-1.

The first test was all about conditioning.

Head Coach Wally Salata prides himself on having the best-conditioned team on the court. In fact, he needs his team to be in shape to run his high-tempo system. Most teams the Rams have faced this season tend to lose energy in the second half.

That was not the case with Hope, who matched the Rams in energy until the end of the third quarter.

“We haven’t been tested in the third quarter in the last five or six games. So, we needed that to see how we would react,” said Salata. “We ran four or five different offenses to find one that works. So, we needed that test. Because tomorrow [against La Cueva] we need to win every quarter.”

The second test was for Kayden Decker. The 6-foot, 5-inch junior is returning from injury, and this was his first game of full action. He passed with flying colors.

“It felt good [to be back],” said Decker. “Last year we didn’t make state, but this year we are back, and it feels good.”

Decker put up seven points, two blocks, and an assist (unofficially) in the second quarter alone, giving the Rams a 24-point cushion at the half (44-20).

The Rams needed the cushion. They came out flat in the third quarter and were dominated by the Huskies quick attack.

For Hope, the third quarter (and the game) was about one name: Lincoln Sneed.

Sneed controlled the third quarter, scoring 12-points to go along with numerous steals, assists and rebounds.

The Rams didn’t score until a free throw from Wyatt Rodriguez at the four-minute mark. They didn’t hit a free throw until two minutes left in the third when a well-rested Decker came off the bench.

The big man took control of the game once again with four points and a steal in the final minute.

Hope held on until the end of the quarter, but the momentum had shifted.

“The third quarter we got a little lazy and I tried to do the best I could to get us that spark,” said Decker.

The fourth quarter was all Rio Rancho as Salata rotated continuously and increased his squad’s pace of play. The Huskies finally seemed gassed, and the Rams took advantage.

Eight different Rams players scored in the fourth quarter. That includes a poster-worth dunk from junior Cayden Richardson that sent the Rio Rancho gym into hysterics.

The Rams will face the La Cueva Bears in the championship game on Saturday, Dec. 28 at RRHS. Tipoff is 7 p.m.