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Rio Rancho High School boys’ basketball team tips off tonight
Rams coach Wally Salata can be animated at times, as well as observed on the court during games. That’s an assistant, former Rams’ standout Chris Williams, at right, adding instructions for players. (Herron photo)
The Rio Rancho High School boys’ basketball team tips off its 2023-24 season this evening (Nov. 29) at 7 in the RAC. The Valley High Vikings are the opponent.
The Rams are coached by Wally Salata, heading into his 15th season at the helm. The Rams were 18-11 overall last season, 4-4 in District 1-5A. RRHS received the 8 seed for state and lost a first-round game in the RAC, 48-45, to district foe Atrisco Heritage Academy.
Here are Salata’s responses to the Observer’s questions:
- Why should people come out to watch your team play this season? We don’t have size like in the year’s past, but we have lots of quickness and speed. Our style this year will be different than any other year. We are going to play full court defense on a made or missed shot.
- Who are some of your players fans should keep their eyes on? Senior Jayden Johnson and sophomore Kayden Decker
- 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? At Clovis, Carlsbad twice (first round of Artesia tournament and on the road), Sandia (first round of the APS Metro tournament) and everyone in District 1-5A.
- What’s one change you’d like to see in high school basketball in the coming seasons? I would like to see officials from the same region officiate together at the state tournament instead of having a mixed crew.
- Who’s the best all-around student-athlete you’ve ever coached? Keagan Caton (2021-22).
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Boys’ 2023-24 basketball schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Nov. 29 VALLEY 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 Clovis 4 p.m.
7-9 City of Champions Tourn/Artesia TBD
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21 RIO GRANDE 7 p.m.
27-29 HOLIDAY HOOPS TOURN. TBD
Jan. 4 Capital 7 p.m.
6 Carlsbad 5 p.m.
9-13 APS Metro Tourn. TBD
16 ST. MICHAEL’S 7 p.m.
19 Roswell 6 p.m.
26 ATRISCO HERITAGE* 7 p.m.
31 Cibola* 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2 Volcano Vista* 7:30 p.m.
6 CLEVELAND* 7 p.m.
10 LOS ALAMOS 7 p.m.
13 Atrisco Heritage* 7:30 p.m.
15 CIBOLA* 7 p.m.
20 VOLCANO VISTA* 7 p.m.
22 Cleveland* 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 *)
