Tigers, Jags start boys hoop season with victories

Los Lunas and Valencia posted solid victories to start the boys basketball season, while Belen waits until next week for their first test.

Belen Eagles

Four starters graduated from the Belen boys team (12-16) that nearly upset Espanola Valley on the road last season in the 4A state playoffs. Still, coach Donald Marquez is upbeat.

“From night to night, it will be someone different,” playing a starring role, said Marquez. “We have a lot of solid players that play team ball.”

With the departure of Josiah Navarro, Jasode Harris, Alan Moreno and Damian Avila, the Eagles will need to find scoring elsewhere.

“We did lose a lot of shooting, but I think we’ve got guys who can pick it up,” the coach said.

That includes Dalton Hershberger, Daniel Aguilar, “our coach on the floor,” Isaac Trujillo, a transfer from Los Lunas, and Torin Karns. Marquez calls Karns, “a great defender who can shoot. We’re happy with all the guys we have.”

BHS will look inside to Sammy Sanchez, a three-year starter in the post, who is “athletic, quick,” according to Marquez. Sanchez does not carry great size but, “He gives big problems, just with how he plays” against opposing centers.

Sanchez sizes up his responsibilities as rebounding, passing out of double-teams and being a leader.

“I’m hyped,” said Sanchez about the season. “ I’m so in love with this game. Everyday it grows on me even more and I’m just excited to be here.”

Fans will get their first look at the Eagles, Dec. 2 at home against Valley.

“We have a lot of solid players that play team ball. We will play quick,” Marquez said about the pace he is counting on.

Valencia Jaguars

It was only one game, but last Thursday’s convincing 75-44 season opening victory against Deming appears to verify what coach Jesse Hathoot said a few days prior.

“These guys are chomping at the bit,” to tip off the campaign. “We’re very excited. We put in a lot of work,” that started in April, Hathoot noted.

The Jaguars were 11-21 on three-pointers, with Jared Porter, 21 points, and Markus Medina, 18 points, leading the way.

After a disappointing 9-17 season in 2024-2025, the Jaguars are more experienced, with the return of leading scorers Porter and Carin Bustillos.

“I think they are going to form a really good one-two punch on the perimeter,” according to Hathoot, who adds, “We’re going to try to put more pressure on the rim this year,” attacking the basket and playing at a faster pace.

A big year from post Jairius Russ, a 6-2 senior, would put added pressure on opposing defenses.

“He does a lot of different things for us,” said Hathoot. “We’re going to ask him to score a little bit more.”

That’s fine with Russ.

“I want to get some more points on the board for us,” while getting some of the “glory, of course,” Russ joked.

Still, Russ is aware his main responsibility is more basic.

“I expect to play a good rebounding role, pick and roll off the post, getting all my teammates involved.”

Despite the emphasis on offense, Hathoot believes defense may ultimately define the Jaguars’ success.

“Our goal is to hold teams under 50 and that should give us a shot every night,” which is what happened against Deming.

Staying healthy will be a key, with the roster not very deep. Plus, VHS plays in District 5-4A, the toughest in the state with Highland, St. Pius, Belen and Grants.

For now, optimism abounds.

“Oooh. I’m excited. I’m so excited,” exclaimed Russ. “This team can do it.”

VHS traveled to Gallup Tuesday, falling to the Bengals 65-54.

Los Lunas Tigers

For the second season in a row Los Lunas boys basketball coach Pablo Gabaldon must deal with massive changes on the roster.

In 2023-24, Gabaldon had to replace the entire starting lineup, including Jalen Holland, now at the University of Colorado.

This season, despite losing eight seniors, Gabaldon is optimistic.

“I’ve seen a lot of improvement,” said Gabaldon, citing a long list of offseason tournaments starting in the spring. “We have some guys coming back, but it will still be a learning curve.”

Among those “guys coming back” is Alex Lopez, who is “our floor general” and will start at point guard according to Gabaldon.

Also in the backcourt is multi-sport athlete Joaquin Trujillo, described by Gabaldon as, “a high motor guy. He plays very hard.” Another guard adding experience is Fabien Hernandez.

“We expect him to hit some shots for us this coming season.”

Scoring was an issue for the Tigers, 6-20 last season, according to Lopez, the senior guard.

“We just couldn’t score the ball,” said Lopez. “That’s what we worked on this year and now we’re just going to put it all together. We are very fast in the open court,” which Lopez believes will lead to more buckets.”

Gabaldon says the players have earned his trust because of their hard work, and thus, “more freedom offensively.”

What won’t change is the emphasis on defense.

“I’m a stickler defensively. I’ll never change.”

In the Tigers season opener Saturday against Gallup, a 54-47 victory, Trujillo and Zaki Apachito hit seven of 11 three-pointers combined.