The Atrisco Heritage Academy varsity basketball team (Albuquerque, NM) will host Volcano Vista (Albuquerque, NM) for a non-conference game today at 7 p.m.

Game Information:

• Teams: Volcano Vista VS Atrisco Heritage Academy
• Date & Time: Friday, January 17, 2025, at 7 p.m.
• Location: Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque, NM)
• Live stream: Watch Here

Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage Academy Basketball: A Close Look at Two New Mexico Powerhouses

As the high school basketball season progresses, two teams from New Mexico are drawing attention with their impressive records and talented rosters: Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage Academy. Both schools have established themselves as forces in the state, but their paths to success have been slightly different. Here’s a detailed comparison of their season performance so far and what sets them apart.

Volcano Vista: A State Power

Volcano Vista’s 2024-2025 basketball season has been nothing short of dominant. With a national ranking of 64th and a state ranking of 1st in New Mexico, the team is currently sitting at a stellar 13-2 record. The team has shown remarkable consistency, with a perfect 7-0 home record, 3-0 away record, and 3-2 mark in neutral-site games. Their high-scoring offense has been the backbone of their success, averaging 71.6 points per game across all four quarters, led by a solid first half average of 36.0 points (19.0 in Q1 and 17.0 in Q2). They have been particularly efficient against common opponents, boasting an 8-0 record against teams both local and statewide. In fact, their most recent victory, a dominant 81-28 win over Los Lunas, further solidified their reputation as one of New Mexico’s premier teams.

Volcano Vista’s record highlights their success against both in-state and out-of-state opponents. Their impressive 12-0 record against in-state teams, combined with a 1-2 record outside the state, paints a picture of a team that thrives in familiar competition but is still competitive beyond state lines.

Atrisco Heritage Academy: A Strong Contender

Atrisco Heritage Academy, while not as nationally recognized as Volcano Vista, has had a strong showing this season. With a 9-6 overall record, the team is ranked 13th in New Mexico. Their performances have been solid but inconsistent, with a balanced 4-2 home record and a 2-3 away mark. Despite some bumps along the road, they have proven to be tough competition, particularly when playing at home. Their average of 68.8 points per game shows a team that can score, though their overall scoring tends to be a bit more spread out across the quarters, with a noticeable spike in their third quarter (18.8 points). However, their performances against common opponents have shown a more mixed result compared to Volcano Vista, with a 3-3 record in those matchups.

While Atrisco Heritage has had a strong showing against some teams, including a 77-68 win over La Cueva, their inability to consistently defeat teams like Sandia (losing twice to them by significant margins) has led to some question marks around their ability to perform at the highest level in the state.

Common Opponents: A Test of Consistency

When examining their records against common opponents, Volcano Vista clearly outshines Atrisco Heritage Academy. Volcano Vista has remained undefeated against their shared opponents, winning all eight matchups in decisive fashion. In contrast, Atrisco Heritage has a more mixed record of 3-3. This pattern reveals a key difference in the teams’ consistency and ability to dominate the competition. Volcano Vista’s clean sweep against shared teams like Sandia, Clovis, and Albuquerque showcases their depth and preparation. Meanwhile, Atrisco Heritage Academy’s struggles against teams like Sandia, where they lost 85-58 and 69-61, point to some areas for improvement, especially when facing higher-caliber teams.

Breaking Down the Records: Home, Away, and Neutral

A closer look at the teams’ performance in various environments further highlights the differences between them. Volcano Vista has been perfect at home (7-0) and dominant on the road (3-0), showing their capability to perform consistently in any setting. Their success at neutral sites (3-2) demonstrates their ability to compete away from their home court, a crucial trait for postseason play.

Atrisco Heritage, on the other hand, has a more varied record. They are solid at home (4-2), but their 2-3 away record and 3-1 neutral site record suggest that they might struggle when not on their familiar court. Their ability to secure victories against teams like Clovis at home and Santa Fe on the road shows their potential, but the team must improve its away and neutral-site performances to truly compete at the highest level.

The Road Ahead: Key Matchups

Looking ahead, both teams have pivotal matchups that could shape their seasons. For Volcano Vista, maintaining their dominance through to the state playoffs seems likely, with their high scoring offense and excellent record against common opponents. Atrisco Heritage has an important stretch of games against teams like Los Lunas and Cibola, which will serve as a test of their ability to perform consistently against tougher competition.

Conclusion: Two Teams with High Potential

Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage Academy are both outstanding basketball programs in New Mexico, but Volcano Vista stands out with its superior record, consistency, and ability to dominate both home and away. Atrisco Heritage has plenty of talent and will be a formidable opponent in the coming weeks, but they’ll need to find a way to improve their performances against tougher competition to truly contend for the top spot in the state. The next few weeks will certainly be exciting as these two schools look to close out their seasons on a high note.