Mel Otero Invitational: Day 1

<p>RIO RANCHO, N.M — With eight teams in action, the ‘Mel Otero' invitational was the place to be. Hosted by Rio Rancho, this mid-season tournament welcomed visiting teams Centennial, Clovis, Eldorado, Mayfield, Robertson, Sandia & Santa Fe.</p>   <p>Here's how Day 1 panned out:</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Centennial vs Rio Rancho</h2>   <p>Rio Rancho came into Thursdays contest at 6-0, playing team basketball while their counterpart, Centennial sat at 2-1 and in the midst of figuring out their identity. The Rams went on to win 61-31, playing with great energy, competing on both ends of the floor. The Hawks once again struggled with breaking the full-court press, and had trouble inbounding the ball from both the baseline and sideline committing turnovers at a high rate. </p>   <p>The Rams depth is something to be noted as Rio Rancho had 10 players score vs Centennial, led by [player_tooltip player_id='878758' first='Makenna' last='Lee']'s team-high 12 points. Lee has soft touch down in the paint area -- turn around jumper -- and is relentless on the glass, securing offensive rebounds leading to 2nd chance points. The Martinez trio -- sisters' Lilly, Madi & Larissa -- each made contributions: Lilly (8 points) was spectacular as a playmaker, recording several sweet dimes along the baseline. Madi (6 points) was great attacking the cup both in the half-court and on the fast break. Larrisa (6 points) was deadly from behind the arc, connecting on back-to-back 3s in the 3rd quarter. </p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='357658' first='Adrianna' last='Audi Torrez'] had a game-high 14 points for Centennial, scoring 11 in the 2nd half. When able to get into the paint area, Torrez is tough to stop. Her length not only allows her to finish over the top of smaller defenders but also secure offensive rebounds leading to easy putbacks. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Clovis vs Mayfield</h2>   <p>Clovis pulled way in the 4th quarter to capture a 45-29 W vs Mayfield, behind 15 points from [player_tooltip player_id='357695' first='Zarai' last='Lewis'] as the Wildcats advanced to 5-0. Lewis was phenomenal as a baseline runner, getting corner 3s and short corner jumpers at will. [player_tooltip player_id='403382' first='Kailyn' last='Jefferson'] did what she always does, play with tremendous heart and energy. Jefferson is a great rebounder and is explosive on the second jump. Her ability to spring for a ball is unreal. </p>   <p>On the flip side, it was Mayfield's [player_tooltip player_id='814502' first='Aaliyah' last='Salas'] who kept the Trojans afloat. Salas is a savvy guard with good handles and active hands on the defensive end. Aaliyah was disruptive in the passing lanes, anticipating entry passes and swing passes, coming away with several steals. Trojan forwards [player_tooltip player_id='648234' first='Ceanna' last='McKines'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1056569' first='Selena' last='Castro'], each have good size and are dangerous offensive rebounders, always pursuing the ball off the rim and glass. Trojans are now 3-1 on the year. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Sandia vs Santa Fe</h2>   <p class="has-text-align-left"><br>The Matadors dominated from start to finish, never surrendering a lead vs the Demons. Sandia torched Santa Fe in transition and consistently forced turnovers with their pressure defense, resulting in a 74-26 victory.<br>SF [player_tooltip player_id='391104' first='Hope' last='Giddings'] had a game-high 22 points. Giddings ran the floor well, exploiting Santa Fe's transition defense all game long and was fabulous with her cuts -- backdoor -- to the basket, reading her defender perfectly. Star PG [player_tooltip player_id='391103' first='Sydney' last='Benally'] was solid once again totaling 17 points, getting easy layups and open jumpers. Benally was fantastic controlling the pace, knowing when to throw the kick ahead pass for early offense. The Matadors are now 7-0, holding opponents to under 33 PPG!</p>   <p>Freshman Desi Martinez finished with 7 points showcasing the ability to score both inside the arc using the bounce and behind it as a spot up shooter from the corner. Gabby Chavez was another guard who knocked down some shots for the Demons, hitting a 3-pointer off a DHO and a baseline jumper. After six games, the Demons are 2-4.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Eldorado vs Robertson</h2>   <p><br>Another stellar game from the Class of 2025's no. 1 player and NM's top recruit, [player_tooltip player_id='370329' first='Bella' last='Hines'] who finished with 42 points in a 66-44 win over Robertson.<br>The Eagles took care of business against the Cardinals pushing the tempo and capitalizing on transition opportunities. Being the primary ball handler, Bella saw multiple attempts from Robertson 'blitzing' her at half-court, trying to get the ball in the hands of other Eagles players. To no avail, Hines was able to constantly split the double-team thanks to her speed. Bella is an excellent finisher at the rim, using either hand. Chioma Holyfield continues to give solid minutes, understanding her role and executing. Holyfield is needed as a shot blocker and glass-cleaner, and she is doing both very well to begin the season. </p>   <p>Robertson's [player_tooltip player_id='814473' first='Alyxa' last='King-Greenwalt'] finished with 13 points, scoring from various spots in the half-court. Alyxa, comfortable operating from the mid range, has a nice pull up jumper. When the Cardinals were successful in the half-court, it was because of how effective King-Greenwalt was in DHO's from the elbow areas. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>

RIO RANCHO, N.M — With eight teams in action, the ‘Mel Otero' invitational was the place to be. Hosted by Rio Rancho, this mid-season tournament welcomed visiting teams Centennial, Clovis, Eldorado, Mayfield, Robertson, Sandia & Santa Fe.