Zack Cole Era tips off tonight at Capital High

Cleveland High players got to experience Zack Cole’s style during the summer. His debut is tonight, Nov. 28, at Capital High in Santa Fe. Obviously, he’s very familiar with how the game is played in Santa Fe, having coached the Santa Fe High Demons in his last coaching job. (Herron photo)

Cleveland High School tips off the season in Santa Fe this evening, as head coach Becomes the third coach in school history, following Brian Smith and Sean Jimenez.

The Storm are led by former Santa Fe High coach Zack Cole, entering his first season at the helm after last spring’s resignation of Sean Jimenez. The Storm were 21-9 overall last season, 6-2 in District 1-5A. CHS received the 7 seed for state and lost a 64-62 overtime game to Sandia in the quarterfinals round at The Pit.

Coach Cole was asked five questions by the Observer before the season starts; here are his responses:

• Why should people come out to watch your team play this season? Because we are going to play a brand of basketball that is up-tempo and exciting. A style of basketball that players like to play for, coaches like to coach and fans like to watch.
• Who are some of your players fans should keep their eyes on? Daniel Steverson, Remy Albrecht and Noah Padilla will pace us in scoring and tenacious defense night in and night out.
• What game(s) on the schedule are the one(s) your team really needs to beat to show it’s competitive and deserves a seed at state? We play a really strong schedule. Every game is tough and has a say in a state tournament berth for your team. Top-ranked opponents are on our schedule. Opponents like Volcano Vista, La Cueva, Los Lunas, Hobbs, Atrisco Heritage, just to name a few.
• What’s one change you’d like to see in high school basketball in the coming seasons? I’ve always have been an advocate of the shot clock. I feel like we had a great opportunity to adopt it a few years back and was disappointed when we didn’t. I experienced it when I coaches in California and liked it ever since. IT promotes an exciting style of play where different strategies can be implemented both offensively and defensively.
• Who’s the best all-around student-athlete you’ve ever coached? I’ve had the honor of coaching really good basketball players in my time, the best being JB White. His unique size, coordination and skill set really separated him from his peers.

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Here’s the 2023-24 schedule for the CHS boys:

DATE OPPONENT TIME

Nov. 28 Capital 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 Los Lunas 7 p.m.

8 SANTA FE 7 p.m.

14-16 PHIL GRIEGO INVITE TBD

22 MAYFIELD 6:30 p.m.

23 Centennial 3 p.m.

28-30 Hobbs Holiday Tourn. TBD

Jan. 9-13 APS Metro Tourn. TBD

16 La Cueva 7:30 p.m.

18 Sandia 7 p.m.

20 Hobbs 3:30 p.m.

24 Volcano Vista* 2 p.m.

31 Atrisco Heritage* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 CIBOLA* 7 p.m.

6 Rio Rancho* 7 p.m.

8 VOLCANO VISTA* 7 p.m.

15 ATRISCO HERITAGE* 7 p.m.

20 Cibola* 7:30 p.m.

22 RIO RANCHO* 7 p.m.

Feb. 26-March 2 1-5A tournament TBD

March 8 State/first round TBD

12-15 State tournament TBD

(Home games are in CAPS; District 1-5A games denoted by *)