Rams Roll, Matadors Rally: APS Metro Openers at Sandia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.</em> — The 2026 Albuquerque Metro Basketball Championships tipped off with high energy on January 6 across nine host sites, including Volcano Vista, La Cueva, Sandia, Albuquerque High, Del Norte, Rio Grande, Atrisco Heritage, Eldorado, and West Mesa high schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This prestigious 16-team girls' varsity tournament features a mix of Class 5A and 4A powerhouses — 12 from 5A and four from 4A — in a multilevel bracket that includes consolation rounds for extended competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of four exciting double-headers in the Round of 16 unfolded at Sandia High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rio Rancho Rams (10-0) vs. Rio Grande Ravens (3-6) — 5:15 p.m.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The undefeated Rams, coached by Lori Mabrey, entered the game averaging a crisp 58.3 points per game and boasting a stingy defense that held their last three opponents under 30 points. The Ravens, led by Joseph Lopez, averaged 33.7 points while navigating a 3-6 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even shaking up their starting lineup — not starting or playing the Martinez trio for the entire first quarter — Rio Rancho's superior depth, physicality, and relentless defense overwhelmed the Ravens. The Rams suffocated Rio Grande all night, speeding them up and disrupting any rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tight first quarter ended 10-8 in Rio Rancho's favor, but they pulled away: 23-10 at halftime, 45-15 after three, and a final 57-19 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='839457' first='Madilynn' last='Martinez'] led all scorers with 19 points and an eye-popping 7 steals, torching the Ravens in the half-court with drives and three deep threes. [player_tooltip player_id='1068445' first='Larissa' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='792927' first='Kaci' last='McHugh'] each added 9 points — Larissa with 7 steals and McHugh grabbing 4 rebounds — providing key scoring around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Ravens, senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='811192' first='Sophia' last='López'] stood out with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. She handled pressure well, initiated the offense effectively, and guarded multiple positions with grit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hope Christian Huskies (9-1) vs. Sandia Matadors (8-1) — 7:00 p.m.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies, under Michael Cole, rode a six-game win streak into the matchup, averaging 58.1 points and exploding for 60+ in six games (70+ in two). Sandia's Matadors, coached by Lee Kettig, boasted eight straight wins, scoring 58.9 points per game while allowing a miserly 38.0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game was a battle of high intensity from the tip. Hope Christian grabbed a 15-12 lead after one quarter, but Sandia cranked up the full-court pressure in the second to swing momentum. The Matadors drained 8 three-pointers to the Huskies' lone trey, surging to a 33-24 halftime edge and 50-38 after three en route to a 68-48 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandia's dynamic backcourt duo stole the show. [player_tooltip player_id='648210' first='Chloe' last='Brown'] erupted for a game-high 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals, burying 5 threes along the way. [player_tooltip player_id='1068188' first='Kaiyah' last='Benally'] flirted with a triple-double, posting 17 points, 8 rebounds, and a remarkable 10 steals while orchestrating the offense as the floor's top playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='839433' first='Bri' last='Bishop'] battled valiantly for Hope Christian, tallying 19 points (the only Husky in double figures) and 6 rebounds. Her length created opportunities on both ends, keeping her team competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What's Next</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winners advance to a quarterfinal clash: Rio Rancho (now 11-0) vs. Sandia (9-1) on January 7 at 7:00 p.m. Expect fireworks as these metro standouts collide!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->