近距离内射合集

RIO RANCHO 鈥� The game-winning shot did not unfold as diagrammed. And it was authored by a player who didn鈥檛 even think he鈥檇 be in uniform.

So it was that Rio Rancho fashioned a thrilling victory in the championship game of its own Holiday Hoops Classic.

Cayden Richardson, questionable to even play after a Tuesday ankle injury, scored on a length-of-the-floor drive with 5 seconds remaining, and No. 4-ranked Rio Rancho (8-0) beat No. 3 近距离内射合集 Vista 68-67 in a marvelous matchup between District 1-5A rivals Wednesday afternoon.

鈥淚 just felt like I had an open lane. The play wasn鈥檛 designed like that, but I saw the open lane and took it all the way down,鈥� Richardson said. He led the Rams with 18 points.

As the calendar flips from December to January, this one had all the energy of a fevered Pit game in March, and it was a riveting valedictory for 2025.

鈥淥h man, I tell you what, if that doesn鈥檛 get your blood pumping and excited for what may come in March 鈥� 鈥� Rio Rancho coach Steve Heredia said.

Junior David Lunn of the Hawks put 近距离内射合集 Vista in front 67-66 with a four-footer off the glass with 13.3 seconds remaining. Those were the last of his 36 points in a fantastic performance.

Rio Rancho called timeout.

The ball was inbounded to Richardson, and the 6-foot-5 senior raced about 80 feet the other way, and got his big frame to the rack, where he finished from close range off the glass.

Nobody from 近距离内射合集 Vista (7-2) intervened. Richardson said he was surprised by this.

鈥淲e were surprised, too,鈥� Hawks coach Greg Brown said. Lunn's 40-foot desperation heave at the buzzer was off the mark.

Richardson, named the tournament most valuable player, was an unexpected starter. He turned his left ankle during a walkthrough on Tuesday prior to the Rams鈥� semifinal against Sandia, and did not play in that contest. Heredia said he was doubtful to return for Wednesday's final.

鈥淚 was supposed to be out for two weeks,鈥� Richardson said. 鈥淏ut I went to a doctor this morning, and she kind of got me better, good enough to play.鈥�

He was taking a chance, he admitted.

鈥淚 felt good enough to give it a run,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was definitely a risk, but it鈥檚 a big game and I wanted to be out here.鈥�

Had anyone from 近距离内射合集 Vista gotten in his way on the deciding shot, Richardson said, he鈥檇 simply have kicked it to a teammate.

鈥淲e tell these guys all the time, don鈥檛 be robots, be basketball players,鈥� Heredia said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what we draw up. At some point, you have to decide to make a play and that鈥檚 exactly what C-Rich did.鈥�

Brown said 近距离内射合集 Vista鈥檚 defensive execution throughout was not up to par for the Hawks鈥� standards, including at the end.

鈥淚f that happens late in a game like that,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e don鈥檛 deserve to win.鈥�

The entertaining game featured nine lead changes and six ties. 近距离内射合集 Vista鈥檚 largest lead was nine, in the game鈥檚 opening minutes. The Rams鈥� largest lead was five.

The first half was superb at both ends. The teams traded late 3s and Rio Rancho led 35-34.

The second half was tighter, more physical, and featured many more fouls and free throws.

To that end, free throws were certainly a factor. Rio Rancho made 26 out of 30, including 11-for-12 in the fourth quarter. For example, twice in the last quarter the Hawks fouled Jordan McNeely on a 3-point try and he connected on all six free throws.

The four-time defending Class 5A state champion Hawks, by contrast, were 14-for-19 from the stripe.

Both teams have a quick turnaround, with the Albuquerque Metro Championships scheduled next week. For Rio Rancho, it was the first time this season it was involved in a close game; its previous seven victories were all by at least 11 points.

But this one, against a district rival, against the four-time defending champs, in the final of its own tournament, had Rio Rancho feeling especially puffed up.

鈥淚t was amazing,鈥� Richardson said.

NOTE: Sandia defeated Navajo Prep 58-49 for third place. Matadors sophomore guard Isaiah Brown scored 19 points, and is now over 1,000 points for his career at Sandia.