Basketball Recap: Smoky Hill Falls Despite Big Games from Cruz Valdez and Horacio Llamas + How To Watch

Smoky Hill was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat dating back to last season. They took a 67-50 bruising from the Rocky Mountain Lobos. The Buffaloes were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Lobos apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in February of 2023.

Cruz Valdez

Steals

12/12/25 vs Rocky Mountain	5
12/10/25 @ Fossil Ridge	3
12/09/25 @ Kent Denver	4
12/06/25 @ Regis Jesuit	3
12/04/25 vs Legend	3

Smoky Hill's loss came despite strong showings from Horacio Llamas and Cruz Valdez. LLamas shot 64% from the field on his way to 16 points, while Valdez posted five points along with seven rebounds and five steals. Valdez is crushing it when it comes to steals: he's grabbed at least three every time he's taken the court this season. Jarrell Thompson also deserves some recognition as he scored his first points of the season.

Peyton Matkin was nothing short of spectacular for Rocky Mountain: he went 9-for-15 from beyond the arc to rack up 30 points and six boards. Those 30 points gave Matkin a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Mateo Valencia, who put up 12 points.

Smoky Hill's defeat dropped their record down to 0-5. As for Rocky Mountain, their win bumped their record up to 2-3.

Smoky Hill wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next game, a 52-45 loss against Broomfield on the 13th. As for Rocky Mountain, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 56-54 defeat against Eaglecrest on the 13th.