Roundball Roundup: City teams head to Metro semis, Lady Spartans win 15 straight

Just when you thought the basketball season could not get any better, it's APS Metro Tournament time.

Here is a rundown of everything from the hardwood for the Observer three, from Jan. 2-8

Rio Rancho boys basketball

In case you missed it, the Rams are coming off a holiday tournament last week, beating Volcano Vista in the championship.

Since then, the winning hasn’t stopped.

Entering the APS Metro tournament this past Tuesday, Rio Rancho has put itself back in a tournament title conversation with wins over West Mesa and La Cueva to reach the Metro semifinals.

The week started with a tune-up game in a nondistrict visit to Capital High, winning 87-51. Heredia’s team would then follow it up with another 30-plus-point victory in the first round against the Mustangs.

But then all eyes turned to one of the biggest matchups of the week: The Rams facing off against the La Cueva Bears for the first time this season.

La Cueva has been a thorn in the City of Vision’s side so far this season, taking out Cleveland in December in the Phil Griego Invite.

That peskiness from the Bears is not by coincidence, but by depth. Four different La Cueva players tallied nine or more points against the Rams, with three of them in double figures. 

But luckily for Rio, their roster came to play as well. Cayden Richardson and Kayden Decker were pivotal inside the perimeter, while Dashon Bynum put together his breakout performance with a couple of threes in a 15-point night.

Just like any heavyweight bout, these two traded blows back and forth, but it would be Rio who would put together a final run to deliver the knockout 65-58 to stay undefeated at 11-0.

It was a championship-level game in a quarterfinal matchup, as now, the Rams will prepare for another title-match caliber matchup: another round with Volcano Vista.

Rio Rancho girls basketball

It's metro mania over on Loma Colorado, as the girls' team has also punched its ticket to the tournament final four.

After a dominating victory over Rio Grande in round one, the Rams snuck out an impressive win against Sandia 54-49.

It was another night headlined by a Martinez sister, with Madi taking the reins against the Matadors. She posted 24 points in the victory.

Sitting at 12-0, the Rams look like the team to beat, but they still have their work cut out for them. Up next: a rematch against Albuquerque High.

Rio Rancho took down the Bulldogs in the Mel Otero tournament in December in a competitive championship, all while Albuquerque was missing a key piece in guard Abby Pavia. Will her return make a difference? Only time will tell.

Cleveland boys basketball

A Cleveland-Rio Rancho rivalry matchup this early in the season? It may not be as far-fetched as you think.

It has been a big stretch for Zach Cole’s crew: Last Friday, they got their revenge against Las Cruces via a 69-61 win in the Thunderdome. They then followed that up with two quality wins in the metro opening rounds to make it to the final four.

Their second round win, an 82-76 victory over Highland High, featured a monster game from Remy Albrecht. Cleveland’s top guard tallied 33 points on the night, with fellow backcourt talent Ajay Vigil contributing 17.

Cleveland will need these two to bring that same energy into the semifinals, as the Storm head into a matchup against Sandia. If they can knock off the Matadors, and if Rio Rancho can take out the Hawks for a second time, a city championship will be upon us.

Cleveland girls basketball

Stacy Pokorski’s squad was hoping to join the boys team with a Metro semifinal appearance. 

Unfortunately, the Albuquerque Bulldogs had other plans.

After a round-one win over Del Norte, the Storm girls fell to the Bulldogs 61-26.

Cleveland held AHS to a low-scoring opening quarter, but it would not be long til the ‘Dogs got rolling. Albuquerque outscored Cleveland 44-14 in the second and third quarters behind 26 points from Abby Pavia.

Cleveland’s offense could not find a rhythm, with no Storm player posting more than seven points on the night.

While this could be seen as a letdown for the electric blue crew, a big opportunity still awaits them in the consolation bracket. Sitting at 7-5, a matchup with a talented Sandia team could be a huge step in the right direction for the Storm if they can pull out a win.

Bernalillo boys basketball

Defense, defense, defense.

It is the name of the game for the Spartan boys, and it was their Achilles Heel this past week.

After an opening-round win against Monte Del Sol Charter in the Bernalillo Tournament, the Spartans would drop the next two against Atrisco Heritage Academy and Escalante High in bracket play before a nondistrict road loss to Gallup days later.

Bernalillo would give up 70-plus in all three contests, including a 89-54 loss to the Jaguars in the second round of the winners' bracket. 

The mantra is still the same: hold them under 50, win the game. It stayed true in the win against the Dragons, holding them to a whopping 12 points in the 51-12 win. Now, Bernalillo will have to bring back that same energy when they hit the road to face Highland on Jan. 13.

Bernalillo girls basketball

The Lady Spartans have won again.

No, this is not a reprint of last week's recap, or the one before that, or even the one before that.

The sounds of a broken record are due to Bernalillo’s now 15-game win streak to start the season in what is possibly one of the best runs the school has ever seen.

After winning the Terry Darnell Holiday Classic on their home court, Ashley Duran’s team followed it up with wins over Santa Fe and Taos, winning both contests by 10 points or more.

Junior Trinity Calabaza proves to be the centerpiece for this Bernalillo team, leading the team in scoring in both games, including a 20-point outing against Santa Fe.

Along with help in the front court from Samaria Brown and impressive young guard play from Gabriella Dominguez, the Spartans have shown no signs of slowing down.

For all updates on this weekend’s action, visit @danlallison on Twitter/X.