Roundball Roundup: Rams take RR-VV trilogy, city ready for rivalry matchups

In the final week of January, here is everything that went down in the world of high school basketball.

Rio Rancho boys basketball

It was a week back on track for Steve Heredia’s team, coming off a tough overtime loss to Farmington, to now post back-to-back wins.

One of those victories came in the form of a trilogy triumph against the Volcano Vista Hawks, taking down Volcano 71-59 in the Ram Athletic Center last Friday.

Dashon Bynum, in the midst of a stellar sophomore season, led all scorers with 22 points, including key 3-pointers in the Rams' win. Just like the first two installments, this Rams-Hawks battle was uber-competitive.

Along with 13 points from Noah Lovato and 12 from Jordan McNeely, the Rams fended off the Hawks for their first district win of the season. They will meet again on Feb. 10 at Volcano.

Rio carried that momentum with them down the street to Cibola, where they coasted to a 91-47 victory. 

The Rams will now look forward to weekend matchups against Piedra Vista and Rio Grande, with the city's eyes set on Rio Rancho-Cleveland Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Rio Rancho girls basketball

In last week's recap, I mentioned that the Rams look like the team to beat in girls 1-5A.

A week later, they continue to back it up.

Following their nail-biter victory against Farmington, Rio has soared to three district wins, all by 20 points or more.

This stretch of dominance includes a 23-point win against Volcano Vista and two 38-point wins against Cibola and Piedra Vista.

Madi Martinez continues to be a problem for opposing defenses, with the sophomore guard averaging more than 20 points a game. With aid on the perimeter from sister Larissa Martinez and Daysia Jack, along with Serena McHugh in the paint, the Rams continue to prove to be a force.

Rio Rancho has six games left in the regular season, including another visit with Farmington and two games against rival Cleveland.

Can Lori Mabrey’s crew post a perfect district record?

Cleveland boys basketball

It has smooth sailing for the Storm’s start to district play, but the waters are soon to get bumpy.

After three 1-5A straight wins in their 11-game win streak overall, including a big home win against Farmington 66-57, Cleveland will now gear up for one of its toughest stretches yet.

The Storm will hit the road to face Volcano Vista and Rio Rancho, two massive games in terms of the district picture.

While it may seem daunting, the Storm are battle-tested, just like the first time they took out the Hawks before going on to top the highly ranked La Cueva Bears and Hobbs Eagles in a three-game stretch.

It is hard not to talk about the Storm without mentioning senior star Remy Albrecht, who just posted 2,000 career points in what is shaping up to be another monster season. But, through it all, it has been Cleveland’s depth across the board that has helped them on this run.

Albrecht led the way against the Scorpions with 28 points, while sophomore Jordan Rivera led scoring with 17 against Piedra Vista, just some of the many ways the Storm can attack a team.

Cleveland currently sits in first at 3-0 in 1-5A, and if they can get through this stretch, there may not be much stopping them from claiming a district title.

Cleveland girls basketball

A season of hills and valleys continues for the Storm girls, sitting at an even 10-10 on the year and 2-2 in district.

Cleveland has two district wins of 30 points or more while also sporting two double-digit losses, including a loss to Volcano Vista 52-40 most recently.

When the Storm are at their best, it's a team effort. Their most recent victories include three players or more in double figures for scoring, a key to a winning recipe for Stacy Pokorski’s team.

Jalene Big Crow has also been a factor, averaging more than 10 points a game in the team's district matchups.

Sitting at .500, the Storm’s best opportunity for a signature win on the season is up next: a home matchup against rival Rio Rancho. 

Cleveland will host the Rams Tuesday, Feb. 3

Bernalillo boys basketball

District play has not been kind to the Spartans.

After a tough end to their non-district stretch, Bernalillo has fallen to Hope Christian and Del Norte in back-to-back road games.

The Spartans will close out the month at Albuquerque High, ending the long run of road games.

Some home cooking could be the difference for Bernalillo. With two of their three wins on the season coming down Spartan Alley, they will look forward to a month-opening home matchup against Valley.

Bernalillo girls basketball

The Lady Spartans got back in the win column after their first loss of the season, taking down Del Norte 58-43.

But their biggest test of the season is on the horizon.

After losing to Hope Christian, Bernalillo will likely have to be perfect the rest of the way to capture the 6-4A title.

That run will begin against first-place Albuquerque Academy.

With the Chargers as an incoming threat and another matchup with the Huskies not too far away, the Lady Spartans will need all hands on deck, including their guard play.

Bernalillo’s inside game has been the prominent feature in their 19-1 run, but an uptick around the perimeter could take them from great to elite, such as freshman Kailani Trancosa’s 20-point game against the Knights or Gabriella Dominguez’s 21-point outing against the Huskies.

If the Spartans can sustain the same level of output from their guards as they do from their front court, watch out, world.