Holiday Tourney Day One: Rams and Hawks win big, Eagles prevail in overtime

RIO RANCHO — What is usually an odd week for most, stuck between Christmas and New Year's, is a big date on the calendar for Rio Rancho boys basketball.

RRHS’s annual Holiday Hoops Tourney kicked off on Monday at the Ram Athletic Center. Here is how the first round played out:

Rio Rancho 72, Valley 33

Steve Heredia’s crew hit the court after a hiatus of more than three weeks, with their last game coming on Dec. 9 against Artesia, in the Monday nightcap of the four-game slate.

Some of that rust showed early on, but once the Rams got moving, there was never a doubt.

After pulling out to a nine-point lead in a sluggish first quarter, Rio caught fire in the second to head into the locker room up 52-18.

Revving up their defensive pressure led to easy offense, along with some highlight plays from Cayden Richardson, posting some dunks and drives in a double-figure scoring night for the senior.

This tune-up game came at the right time for the Rams, as they now get set to face a talented Sandia team in Tuesday night’s semifinal.

Sandia 63, Del Norte 53

A notable name in 5A facing off with a 4A school may look like a runaway in paper, but the Knights were able to put up a fight against the Matadors.

Behind senior leadership in Francois Satchivi and Mumin Omer, Del Norte went back and forth with Sandia, only down four at the half, 28-24.

But, in the end, Sandia’s talent prevailed. Matador sophomore Isaiah Brown posted a 25-point outing, with seniors Lavodrick Hogues and Jaleel Minnifield joining him in double figures.

The second-half pullaway by Sandia sets up a semifinal meeting with the hometown Rams.

Navajo Prep 76, St. Pius X 72

A matchup many may have looked past ended up as the most thrilling game of the afternoon, with the Eagles taking down the Sartans in overtime.

St. Pius entered the fourth quarter up 50-39, but Navajo Prep did not shy away from the fight. The Eagles outscored the Sartans 22-11 in the fourth to force overtime, with Navajo pulling away in the extra period.

Now, Edward Garrison and his team will have to bring that same level of tenacity for their semifinal matchup against Volcano Vista.

Volcano Vista 79, Hope Christian 52

They are the reigning champs for a reason, folks.

Behind a 60-point explosion in the first half, the Hawks coasted to a first-round victory over the Huskies. High activity from behind the arc filled up the box score for Volcano, posting a 30-5 run at one point in the matchup.

It is their second time this season posting 70 points or more, with 79 marking their highest total yet.

A championship rematch from last season could be waiting for them if Sandia can advance to meet them there, but first, the Hawks will have to get past Navajo Prep in the semifinals.

Tuesday: Volcano Vista vs Navajo Prep at 5 p.m. Rio Rancho vs Sandia is set for 7 p.m. Games are being hosted at Rio Rancho High School.