Roundball Roundup: Lady Spartans, Rams stay undefeated

We are running out of weeks for 2025, but for the high school basketball season, we are just getting started.

Here is how things shook out for the Observer Three this past week.

Rio Rancho girls basketball

Another week, another tournament win for the RRHS girls. Hosting the Mel Otero Invite at RRHS Dec. 11-13, the Rams defeated the Albuquerque High Bulldogs to take the top spot.

Rio is coming away with more than just a first-place spot in a new school record. In their semifinal matchup against Kirtland Central, Ram guard Madi Martinez scored 47 points in the big win.

Three wins in three days, with each one providing its own flair. Sitting at 7-0 on the season, the Rams are not just one of the best, but also one of the most entertaining teams to watch.

After a week at home, Rio Rancho will hit the road for matchups at Santa Fe and Atrisco Heritage Academy, looking to stay unbeaten.

Rio Rancho boys basketball

While the varsity team wasn’t in action this past week for the boys program, some eye-catching moments occurred for the navy and green.

At the junior varsity level, Jasiah Andrade hit an unbelievable half-court heave of a shot to stun La Cueva on the road, 61-58.

This buzzer-beater keeps the Rams JV squad a perfect 4-0, with all three programs combining for a 15-0 record.

RR’s varsity crew will be back in action on Dec. 29 for the RRHS Holiday Tourney.

Cleveland girls basketball

The Storm girls were down the road this week, playing in the Joe Armijo Invite at Albuquerque Academy.

Their tourney run began bright and early on Thursday, defeating Del Norte in an 8 a.m. meeting.

But while the first round was sunny-side up, the rest of the weekend would be more of a scramble. Cleveland dropped to Las Cruces in the second round and Albuquerque Academy in the consolation bracket.

Positive takeaways? Storm guards Erin Winters and Malia Mose were impressive in the three-game stretch. Winters had 17 points against the Knights, while Mose followed with 16 against the Bulldawgs.

Cleveland will have a chance to get back in the win column against Organ Mountain, hosting the matchup on Friday, Dec. 19.

Cleveland boys basketball

It was a second-place weekend for Zack Cole’s bunch, falling to La Cueva 75-62 in the championship of the Phil Griego Tournament.

The Bears were the first true test for this Cleveland team, with the Storm coasting to the title game with blowout wins over Miyamura and Los Lunas.

La Cueva opened the game with a 24-4 first quarter, catching the Storm off guard. Cleveland put up a better fight in the next three periods, but the deficit ended up being too much.

While Cleveland was handed their first loss of the season, this is no reason for panic. The Storm now has a taste of real competition, as they will see La Cueva again on Jan. 15.

Next up: Cleveland will host Organ Mountain on Dec. 16 

Bernalillo girls basketball

Why not seven?

Behind a championship run at the Alice King Tournament in Moriarty, the Lady Spartans improved to an eye-catching 7-0 record to start the season.

The key to this run? It all starts inside. Samaria Brown and Trinity Calabaza have both been impressive, creating one of the better front courts we may see this whole season.

Brown was awarded MVP for the tournament as the Spartans beat Roswell, Moriarty and Goddard en route to the trophy.

This tournament triumph is coming off the heels of a big win against Santa Fe Indian at home, an upset victory that generated some noise on Spartan Alley.

Bernalillo will look for another home-court win when they host Belen on Dec. 16.

Bernalillo boys basketball

It has not been easy for the Spartan boys to open up the year, but their Saturday showing may be a sign of a turnaround.

At the Al Amendariz Tournament, Bernalillo finished its weekend with a win over Academy for Technology and The Classics, ending a six-game losing streak.

The tournament run began with losses to Pojoaque Valley and Pecos, staying winless in tourney play on the year before Saturday’s breakthrough.

While a 2-7 record doesn’t look pretty, tournament play can often be a roller coaster. You either ride the loop or get thrown off.

A return to normal non-district matchups may benefit the Spartans, with the team set to head to Taos on Dec. 16.