High school basketball fans in Rio Rancho can see a doubleheader tonight in the Rams Activities Center: District 1-5A tournament games, with the city rivalry boys’ matchup at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Rams girls meeting visiting Cibola at 7:30.

The early game

Thanks to their exciting 64-61 victory at Cibola Tuesday evening, the Cleveland High boys (13-14) meet the Rams (15-9) for the third time this season.

After winning the district and state championships in the 2020-21 season, the Storm bottomed out and finished fifth in 1-5A this season; the rams finished third. The victory at fourth-place Cibola sends the Storm back to the RAC.

The Storm pushed their winning streak over the Rams to a dozen after their 54-46 win in the RAC on Feb. 1, which featured a 19-4 CHS run over the final six minutes to escape with the victory.

But just last Friday in the Thunderdome, the Rams gave head coach Wally Salata his 300th career win, leading the Storm from start to finish, 74-48.

Tonight’s winner heads to Atrisco Heritage Academy Thursday in the district semifinal; that’s game’s winner heads to Volcano Vista for the 7:30 p.m. championship game Saturday.

Like the Rams boys, the third-place finisher in 1-5A this season, coach Scott Peterson and the Rams (12-13) will face Cibola (6-19), the fourth-place team, that held off fifth-place Atrisco Heritage Academy, 48-41, at Cibola Tuesday evening; that game followed the Cibola boys’ encounter with Cleveland.

The Rams and Cougars split their regular-season meetings: The Rams won at the RAC, 47-36, but lost at Cibola, 55-49.

Tonight’s winning team heads north to Cleveland High tomorrow in the semifinal contest, facing the Storm (16-10). Cleveland is 2-1 vs. the Rams this season, and 2-0 vs. Cibola.

Thursday’s winner advances to the district championship game Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at unbeaten and defending 5A champ Volcano Vista.

The “late” game

Like the Rams boys, the third-place finisher in 1-5A this season, coach Scott Peterson and the Rams (12-13) will face Cibola (6-19), the fourth-place team, that held off fifth-place Atrisco Heritage Academy, 48-41, at Cibola Tuesday evening; that game followed the Cibola boys’ encounter with Cleveland.

The Rams and Cougars split their regular-season meetings: The Rams won at the RAC, 47-36, but lost at Cibola, 55-49.

Tonight’s winning team heads north to Cleveland High tomorrow in the semifinal contest, facing the Storm (16-10). Cleveland is 2-1 vs. the Rams this season, and 2-0 vs. Cibola.

Thursday’s winner advances to the district championship game Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at unbeaten and defending 5A champ Volcano Vista.

Rams coach Scott Peterson watches his team in action during its 31-28 victory over the Storm in the RAC on Feb. 17. (Herron photo)