'Such a big part of our program': Pojoaque Valley basketball player killed in car wreck

Sep. 26—Pojoaque Valley High School is mourning the death of one of its boys basketball players.

Nick Manzanares, 18, was killed in a single-car rollover crash early Sunday morning as he drove south on Interstate 25 near Algodones, Elks coach Ryan Cordova said.

"Just a fun-loving, big-hearted young man," Cordova said. "A good teammate and a good friend."

Manzanares was a senior at Pojoaque Valley, and was a shooting guard for the Elks. It is believed he was driving south toward the Albuquerque metro area to visit his mother after the school's homecoming dance on Saturday night.

"He was just such a big part of our program," Cordova said. "Realistically, he was the guy that kept other guys going. (And) he was funny, just a good teammate, someone who would lighten the mood."

Cordova also said Manzanares was a "great student." He played full-time on the varsity last season and also played some varsity as a sophomore.

As for how the team is coping, Cordova said, "We're doing OK. We're healing together, that's the best way to put it. We're just living on those great moments we had with him."

A public visitation is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of the DeVargas Funeral Home in Española, followed by a rosary at 6 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday inside the Pojoaque Valley High gym.