La Cueva Dominates Cleveland, Claims Phil Griego Invitational Title

La Cueva took control early and never looked back in the Phil Griego Invitational final at Cleveland's home court on December 13, finishing with a 75 to 62 victory. The Bears opened the game with a 24 to 4 first quarter surge, led by senior guard Tony Trujillo who scored 12 of his 14 points in that opening period. La Cueva led by as many as 25 and maintained a margin of at least 13 the rest of the way, denying the Storm sustained momentum.

Hunter Butler provided a late flourish, scoring a game high 26 points with 17 of those coming after halftime, and earning tournament most valuable player honors for La Cueva. Cleveland's Remy Albrecht mounted a formidable comeback effort, finishing with a team high 31 points after a scoreless opening period, but the late charge was not enough to overcome La Cueva's early dominance. The win improved La Cueva to 6 and 0 for the season, while Cleveland fell to 4 and 1.

La Cueva coach Eric Orell framed the victory as a confidence builder ahead of the academic second semester. "I think it shows that we're a force to be reckoned with," he said. "We're going to hit adversity. Every team does. But it's nice to start this year the way we have as opposed to last year. I think it's going to give us a lot of confidence going into the second semester."

Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlights local stakes for Sandoval County families and schools. High school athletics are a daily touchstone for students physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection. Games at home courts bring neighbors together, provide leadership opportunities for young people, and feed into scholarship and college recruitment pathways. For Cleveland, the loss at home raises immediate questions about how the program sustains competitiveness and supports player development as winter play continues.

Community leaders and school officials in Sandoval County face ongoing choices about resources, from coaching and training to mental health supports, that affect whether local teams can compete with programs outside the county. As the season progresses, the lessons from this game will matter not only for standings, but for how families and schools prioritize access and equity in youth sports across the region.