Metro Championships: Players to watch

<p style="padding-left: 40px;">The 2021-2022 Albuquerque Metro Girls Basketball Championships signals the return of 16 teams from Holiday break. Featuring a multilevel style bracket similar to single game elimination listed by seed - best to worst - this tournament offers one or more consolation rounds.</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">With 32 total games slated across a five day period at six different host sites, there should and will be intriguing matchups featuring terrific guards and outstanding forwards.</p> &nbsp; &nbsp; <h2></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">First Round Matchups</span></h2> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#1 Volcano Vista vs #16 Rio Grande </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#2 La Cueva vs #15 </strong><b>Manzano</b></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#3 Sandia vs # 14 Cibola</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#4 Cleveland vs #13 Del Norte</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#5 Albuquerque High vs #12 Valley</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#6 Highland vs #11 West Mesa</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#7 Eldorado vs #10 Atrisco Heritage</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>#8 Rio Rancho vs #9 Hope</strong></p> <h2></h2> <h2 style="text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Players to Watch</span>:</h2> &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353694" first="Natalia" last="Chavez"]</strong> 5’9" SG from VVHS</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Elite guard [player_tooltip player_id="353694" first="Natalia" last="Chavez"] is one half of the dynamic duo that currently resides in the backcourt for the Volcano Vista Hawks. Chavez is an athletic player with great handles and can shoot the ball at a proficient clip. Look for Chavez to help her team advance deep into tournament play.</p> &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353693" first="Jaelyn" last="Bates"]</strong> 5’6" PG from VVHS</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Lightning quick point guard [player_tooltip player_id="353693" first="Jaelyn" last="Bates"] is the other half of the dynamic duo for the defending state champs, VVHS. A great shooter in her own right, Bates will look to have a great outing behind the arc as the tournament proceeds.</p> &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353758" first="Rylie" last="Ottmann"]</strong> 5’6" PG from LCHS</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="353758" first="Rylie" last="Ottmann"] will look to lead the #2 seeded Bears deep into tournament play with her good decision making and strong defense both on the ball and off the ball.</p> &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353911" first="Ariana" last="Sanchez"]</strong> 5’8" CG from AHS</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="353911" first="Ariana" last="Sanchez"] of the Albuquerque High Bulldogs is a player who can possibly have a breakout performance in the tournament. The Junior is a very capable 3-point shooter and if she catches fire, can hit at will. The Bulldogs come in as the #5 seed.</p> &nbsp; <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353744" first="Denice" last="Ryan"]</strong> 5’2" PG from HHS</li> </ul> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">Highland High School senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="353744" first="Denice" last="Ryan"] is a crafty guard that can score from multiple areas on the floor. Ryan and the Hornets come in as the #6 seed but have the potential to make some noise.</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"></p>