Storm boys open season, dominate Tigers in Los Lunas 76-48

LOS LUNAS — Tuesday was a picture-perfect opening night for Cleveland Storm boys basketball.

Starting the season on the road in Los Lunas, the Storm dominated the Tigers 76-48 in a big non-district win before December’s jam-packed schedule of tournament play.

Cleveland’s defense was the focal point of the night, holding Los Lunas to just 16 points in the first half. Five different Storm players recorded takeaways in the 12-steal performance, along with three blocks and 22 rebounds in the runaway victory.

Remy Albrecht, coming off a junior campaign of all-state honors and setting the Storm single-game scoring record, manned the backcourt for the Storm now as a senior captain.

If this game is any indication, we are in for another season of must-see guard play.

Albrecht dropped 35 points, delivering a 15-point first quarter. The Class of 2026 standout also delivered four assists and a whopping six steals.

While Albrecht got the scoring started in the first, the big blow came in the second quarter when the Storm put together a 20-7 frame to take a 39-16 halftime lead. Junior Ajay Vigil, fresh off a football state title, caught fire from behind the arc for three 3-pointers in the quarter on his 17-point night.

Albrecht and Vigil came together to combine for 52 of the Storm’s 76 points, poised to be the two leading scorers for Cleveland once again this season.

Along with Vigil, several Storm gridiron stars made their presence known in Los Lunas. Now in the pursuit of a state title on the hardwood, senior Karson Weddle led the team in rebounds with six, while junior Noah Valler contributed five points on the night.

What was a 19-9 game after one quarter ballooned into a Storm clinic, leading by 20 or more almost entirely the rest of the way.

With the win, Cleveland has extended their season opener winning streak, with the last time they fell to 0-1 coming in 2013. While the beginning of the season is usually a breeze for the Storm, they still have business to tend to.

Before participating in next week’s Phil Griego Invite tournament, the Storm will head to Clovis to take on the Wildcats. Last season, Clovis almost pulled off a stunner, losing by only two points to Cleveland at CHS. Now, on the road, Storm Head Coach Zack Cole and Co. will look to make sure this meeting with the ‘Cats has no surprises.