This is the 17th Annual Southwest Salsa Slam Invitational Tournament. This Tournament started Thursday May 5th and will continue on to Sunday May 8th. The Tournament is hosted by teams from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Colorado. This article will…
This is the 17th Annual Southwest Salsa Slam Invitational Tournament. This Tournament started Thursday May 5th and will continue on to Sunday May 8th. The Tournament is hosted by teams from New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Colorado. This article will cover the top standouts so far from the varsity division.
State Champion Shane Douma-SanchezShaneDouma-Sanchez
6'0" | PG Del Norte | 2023StateNM
made his presence known during the Southwest Salsa Slam Tournament. He showed his all around game scoring the ball from all areas on the floor and displayed his play-making. He controlled and ran the offense at a high level during the pool play so far in this tournament.
La Cueva’s Star Cedarius YatesCedariusYates
6'3" | SF La Cueva | 2023StateNM
has had a nice off-season so far and that has carried over into this tournament. During the pool play of games I’ve seen from him so far, he has been a monster inside the paint. He is a good offensive rebounder and very athletic around the rim. He has been one of this squads more consistent players.
The sharpshooter Isaiah DenetclawIsaiahDenetclaw
6'3" | SG La Cueva | 2023StateNM
showed his range during this Salsa Slam Invitational. He has also been effective in putting the ball on the floor and having some nice strong drives to the basket. This is what opens up his long range three-point shooting and makes him a dangerous weapon offensively.
JosiahMarfil– 5’8 PG “NM Select” Class of 2024
Soon to be junior, JosiahMarfil from Rio Rancho High School had a great performance Friday Night. During NM Select’s first pool play game, Josiah scored 20 points vs the VV Hawks. He showcased his three-point shooting along with his ability to run the offense at the point guard position.
DiegoMiscles– 6’0 SF “NM Select” Class of 2024
In a pool play game early Saturday Morning, Diego’s team NM Select trailed for most of the game. Despite a slow start, Diego led his squad to a 61-59 comeback OT win vs the Rookies. He hit several clutch baskets in the second half and showed great leadership to rally his guys together.
Los Lunas Star Jalin HollandJalinHolland
6'5" | SG Los Lunas | 2025State#85NationNM
has gotten off to a good start during this Salsa Slam Tournament. He has been lights out from three-point range and solid when driving to the basket finishing around the rim. Jalin has been consistent at getting to the free throw line and knocking down his free throws.
MarquiseRenfro– 6’1 G “ABC Spotlight” Class of 2024
Atrisco’s young star MarquiseRenfro has been one of the most locked in players of this Tournament so far. He has brought equal energy on both sides of the floor. Marquise has arguably played the best perimeter defense of anyone in this Tournament so far and has done a good job being the floor general setting up the offense for his teammates. He has made his most damage when he has the ball in transition on the fast break.
On a loaded ABC Spotlight team, Latavious MorrisLataviousMorris
5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025StateNM
came into the game from the second unit and provided quick offense to blow the game wide open for his team. They won their pool play game early Saturday morning and it came from his three-point shooting in the second half. Latavious had a stretch of making three, three-pointers in a row to help his squad win 87-36.
Sophomore Daniel SteversonDanielSteverson
6'2" | SG Cleveland | 2025#315NationNM
set the tone in the teams early pool play game Saturday morning. He was aggressive looking for his shot and constantly made the right basketball decisions offensively. Daniel made it look easily constantly driving to the basket, and had the best play of the whole tournament so far when he posterized one of his opponents that resulted in an “And One” opportunity.
DonovanCruz– 5’7 PG “Showtime” Class of 2023
West Mesa’s DonovanCruz had a nice game early Saturday Morning vs Rebel Elite NM 2024. At the Point Guard position, he let the game come too him and didn’t for his shots. Donovan has some nice catch and shoot jumpers along with some nice passes to his teammates. One of the things he prides himself the most on is his defense, and he did a good job on every match-up he was given in that game.
BrandonLagunas– 5’10 G “Showtime” Class of 2023
West Mesa’s star BrandonLagunas is arguably the best all-around player on the Showtime roster. In their game early Saturday morning, he did everything at a high level for them. He ran their offense, shot the ball well from beyond the arc and didn’t mind drawing contact from around the rim. Doing that helped him get to the free-throw line on several occasions.
Ezra GuestEzraGuest
6'0" | SG Los Lunas | 2023StateNM
was the best player during the teams pool play game early Saturday morning. The Los Lunas star showed his inside game where he has a nice floater around the rim and plays the game at a nice pace. He is one of the top shooters in this tournament and is an underrated player at running an offense.
State Champion Judah CasausJudahCasaus
6'0" | SG Del Norte | 2023StateNM
has had a great weekend of pool play so far. He has had two consecutive 26-point games and is only getting stronger as the tournament progresses. He has been dangerous in transition and is great in the open floor. Judah is super athletic and crafty around the basket.