Big district tournament closes out basketball season

RIO RANCHO – Before the excitement of the NMAA State Basketball Championship seeding announcements, before the social media posts and the team meetings, the prep basketball District Tournaments took place.

From Feb. 25 to Mar. 1, every prep basketball team in the state, boys and girls, competed in an end-of-the-year district tournament to determine both final seeding for the State Tournament and who is the best of the best in each district.

Rio Rancho High School

GirlsFor the Rio Rancho Rams girls it was a redemptive tournament. They finished in second place and secured a 10-seed in the State Tournament and will open with a game against Los Lunas on Friday night at 6 p.m.

The Rams girls might have fallen in the championship match, but not before they destroyed every opponent to get there. The tourney was highlighted by a 35-point win over Cibola, a 24-point win over Piedra Vista, and a 16-point win over Piedra Vista.

Final Record: 20-10, 6-4 in 1-5A

Final Ranking: No. 8

State Tournament: 10-seed

BoysThe Rams boys were bounced early after taking a heartbreaking first-round loss to Farmington 68-61. Despite the defeat, the team looked offensively on-point. Noah Lovato put up 24 points and was one of four Rams boys to score in double-digits.

The boys got the 14-seed and will face off against Sandia on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Final Record: 15-12, 4-6 in 1-5A

Final Ranking: No. 15

State Tournament: 14-seed

Cleveland High SchoolGirlsThe Storm girls lost in round one of the district tournament to rivals Piedra Vista 64-56. They secured the 13-seed in the State tournament and will take on another Farmington foe when they head to the Four-Corners area to play the Scorpions (Farmington High School) at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Final Record: 13-14, 5-5 in 1-5A

Final Ranking: No. 23

State Tournament: 13-seed

BoysThe Cleveland boys took second-place in districts after edging out Farmington 79-75 in their first game. In the Championship, they went against the undefeated (in New Mexico) Volcano Vista Hawks, who had themselves a night and stomped the Storm 83-60.

The Storm boys got the seven-seed in the State Tournament. They’ll take on Atrisco Heritage on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Final Record: 18-10, 6-4 in 1-5A

Final Ranking: No. 6

State Tournament: 7-seed

Bernalillo High SchoolGirlsThe Spartan girls lost in round two of the 4A district tournament by Hope Christian 61-47 after a major win against Del Norte, 53-26 in round one. They did not secure a place in the State Tournament.

Final Record: 13-16, 3-5 in 6-4A

Final Ranking: No. 66

BoysThe Spartan boys lost in round one to Hope Christian. They did not secure a place in the State Tournament.

Final Record: 8-19, 0-8 in 6-4A

Final Ranking: #84