MIAMI - On Tuesday, Dec. 7, in their first home game of the season, the Miami Vandals took on the Cibecue Wildcats.

Prior to the game a special presentation was made honoring senior Gabe Escobedo. On Nov. 27, Ecobedo scored his 1,000th career point on a free throw against Holbrook in the Ben Franklin Classic. The game stopped, and his family was able to come onto the floor and take pictures with Escobedo. They brought posters and balloons, and were able to celebrate the moment with him.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, Escobedo was honored at Vandal Gym with a portrait and basketball commemorating his milestone. Escobedo has been a member of the varsity team since he was a freshman. He has been named to the All-Conference team the last two years and was recognized as player of the year for 2A South and 2A North. He was named to the All-Arizona team for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Escobedo continues to lead the Vandals in scoring, averaging 25 points a game. He has recorded a 44-point game and several 30-point games this year.

Also on Dec. 7, senior Matt Riddle reached an amazing milestone by collecting his 900th career rebound, something rarely achieved in a player’s high school career. Riddle was presented with a poster and balloons, and photos were taken with his family. He has also been a member of the Vandal team since his freshman year.

He was named 2A South defensive player of the year in the 2019-20 season and led the conference in blocked shots. He was named to the 2A North all-conference team in the 2020-21 season and led the conference in rebounds and blocked shots.

Riddle continues to lead the team in rebounds, averaging 15 a game, and is averaging four blocked shots a game.

“We are excited to see what this season brings for the Vandals,” said head coach Ken Vargas. “The players are working hard every day to improve. With leaders like Matt and Gabe, we hope to go far."