Rio Rancho Wins Holiday Hoops Classic on Last-Second Drive

Rio Rancho pulled out a dramatic 68-67 victory over rival Volcano Vista in the Holiday Hoops Classic final at Rio Rancho on Dec. 31, 2025. Cayden Richardson, listed as questionable after rolling his left ankle during a Tuesday walkthrough, drove coast to coast and finished off the glass with five seconds remaining to clinch the championship. Richardson led the Rams with 18 points and was named tournament most valuable player.

The game was a back-and-forth affair between two top-five teams. Volcano Vista junior David Lunn scored 36 points and put the Hawks ahead 67-66 with a four-foot bank shot with 13.3 seconds left. After a timeout, Richardson was inbounded the ball, raced the length of the court and converted the go-ahead layup. Lunn's 40-foot buzzer attempt missed.

The contest featured nine lead changes and six ties. Volcano Vista held the largest early lead at nine points, while Rio Rancho's biggest advantage was five. Free throws played a decisive role: Rio Rancho made 26 of 30 attempts for the game and went 11-for-12 in the fourth quarter. Jordan McNeely, after being fouled twice on 3-point attempts in the final frame, made all six of his free throws.

Richardson had missed the Rams' semifinal against Sandia after turning his ankle and said he had been ruled doubtful for the final. "I was supposed to be out for two weeks," he said. "But I went to a doctor this morning, and she kind of got me better, good enough to play." He acknowledged the risk: "I felt good enough to give it a run. It was definitely a risk, but it’s a big game and I wanted to be out here." His coach, Steve Heredia, stressed in-game decision making: "We tell these guys all the time, don’t be robots, be basketball players."

Volcano Vista coach Greg Brown reflected on the finish, saying, "We were surprised, too," and later adding, "If that happens late in a game like that, we don’t deserve to win."

The game energized local fans and renewed talk of March postseason prospects. For Rio Rancho, now 8-0, the win was the first close game of the season after seven earlier double-digit victories. Sandia defeated Navajo Prep 58-49 for third place, and Sandia sophomore Isaiah Brown scored 19 points to surpass 1,000 career points.

Beyond the highlight plays and rankings, the game underscores public health and equity concerns in school athletics across Sandoval County. Richardson's same-day medical visit and decision to play highlight how quickly high school athletes can be returned to competition after injury. With the Albuquerque Metro Championships scheduled next week, teams face short recovery windows that increase pressure on coaches and players to make return-to-play decisions. Ensuring consistent access to athletic trainers, prompt medical evaluation, rehabilitation services, and clear safety protocols across districts can help protect student-athletes and preserve community health.

The Holiday Hoops Classic delivered drama and pride for local programs, but it also points to the need for investment in sports medicine and equitable athletic resources so all young athletes in Sandoval County can compete safely as the season intensifies.