City’s boys teams already have losses in 1-5A

RIO RANCHO — The RAC was rocking with its largest and most enthusiastic crowd of the season the evening of Jan. 26, when No. 4 Atrisco Heritage Academy escaped with a 101-97 victory in overtime.

There were a dozen lead changes in regulation, and none in the four-minute overtime session, led by the Jaguars (16-4, 2-0 in District 1-5A) all the way, except for a tie at 87.

The Rams (11-8, 0-1) led early, 25-21 at the end of the first period and then took an eight-point lead, 47-39, on a putback by Kaden Decker with about 1:25 left in the first half.

AHA took a timeout and the results paid dividends: The Jaguars began what turned out to be a 21-5 lead and had a 60-50 lead when it ended, shortly after RRHS coach Wally Salata called a timeout.

The Rams closed out the third quarter with a modest 16-10 run to climb within four, 70-66, heading into the fourth period.

The Jaguars maintained their command till Jerry Archuleta drained a 3-pointer with 4:30 to go, and the teams traded leads until a layup by Jayden Johnson knotted the game at 85.

The teams combined for three timeouts but no points after that.

A few seconds after the jump ball started OT, AHA’s Latavious Morris stole the ball, was fouled, and made two free throws.

Josiah Marfil was fouled and made two free throws to catch the Jags at 87, but AHA scored the next eight points.

The Rams’ last gasp came in the final minute. After trailing 98-93, Morris was whistled for a technical; Marfil made a free throw and a few seconds later, Archuleta hit another 3 to make it 98-97.

A layup by Marquise Renfro upped the lead to 100-97, and a bad-pass turnover by the Rams led to another foul and a free throw by Morris with 1.9 seconds on the clock.

Morris scored 40 points to lead all scorers.

“We had no answer to Latavious,” Salata lamented, although most teams don’t. “We knew what he was going to do.”

Jayden Johnson led the Rams with 21 points. Archuleta and Marfil had 17 apiece, Decker and Sean Parisian added 12 each.

Renfro had 29 for the Jaguars, who sank twelve 3-pointers, five by Morris.

“We didn’t get blown out,” Salata said. “In our district, this is what our district is. That’s what people don’t understand: If they come to a game, you’re gonna see quality games.

“For us to score 97. If you would’ve told us we’d score 97 points and go to overtime, I’d say you’re crazy.”

Last season, the Rams and Jaguars split their four meetings: Three were by three points, one was by two points.

“We’re disappointed, but we can’t (let it bother us). We’ve got a game coming up against Cibola; we have to find a way to beat Cibola, and then we’ve got the two big dogs (Volcano Vista and Cleveland) coming up after that. … We can compete, but we have to play 32 minutes – in this case, 36.”

Rio Rancho 64, Los Alamos 55: On Jan. 24, the Rams got their final tune-up for district action, and whipped the visiting Hilltoppers.

Johnson led the Rams with 21 points and Chris Lucero added 10.

Volcano Vista 68, Cleveland 46: The No. 1-ranked Class 5A boys’ basketball team in New Mexico opened district play Jan. 24 with its third victory this season against its most feared rival.

It was the fourth meeting between the two teams, with the Hawks winning three times.

action at home on Jan. 24, and defeated No. 2 Cleveland 68-46 in the fourth meeting this season between the two.

The Hawks (18-1 overall) got 21 points from freshman David Lunn, plus nine rebounds.

David Gutierrez, the Hawks’ only senior, scored 15, and held Cleveland star Daniel Steverson well under his average, limiting the senior guard to 16 points.

Ironically, one game after scoring a season-best 92 points, the 46 scored at the Ring of Fire were the fewest this season for the Storm (15-4), who play at Atrisco Heritage Academy Wednesday evening (Jan. 31).

COMING UP: The Storm are home Friday at 7 to meet Cibola. On Tuesday, they’re at the RAC to meet the Rams. Cleveland faces Volcano Vista again Thursday at 7 in the Thunderdome.

… The Rams are at Cibola Tuesday, Jan. 30. They head to Volcano Vista Friday at 7 and get a visit by the Storm on Feb. 6.