3A GIRLS BASKETBALL

Final Four - Wednesday, May 5th

No. 1 Navajo Prep vs No. 4 Hatch Valley, 2pm (at Bernalillo HS)

No. 6 Robertson vs No. 7 Tohatchi, 5pm (at Bernalillo HS)

Scoop: What a treat at Bernalillo High School today as they are home to the 3A Final Four. Prediction wise we called that we are likely to see a Navajo Prep-Tohatchi rematch when the brackets came out. Robertson has been in this position and are also home to a state championship in 2019. In fact of the last four state championships three of those teams are playing today. Tohatchi won in 2017, Navajo Prep is the defending champ and as mentioned Robertson in 2019. Can Hatch Valley join the club? Makenzie Williams (Hatch) who is averaging 14 per game will need to play lights out with Hailey Martin (2021) and TionTai Woods (2021) on the other side of the court. In the Tohatchi game we focus on Robertson trying to stop a trio of Cougar players in Montana Soto (2021), Aurelia Lowe (2021) and Kiana Bia (2022). Soto dropped 17 points in a win over West Las Vegas on Monday.


2A GIRLS BASKETBALL

Final Four - Wednesday, May 5th

No. 1 Pecos vs No. 5 Tatum, 5pm (at Santa Rosa HS)

No. 2 Lordsburg vs No. 6 Clayton, 4pm (at St. Pius X)

What defenses have you seen played this year?

Who do you have?

What do you have?

*****FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD (MAY 3rd & 4th)*****

Please post updates or text to 505-414-4313.

3A GIRLS BASKETBALL

First Round - May 3rd

No. 1 Navajo Prep 75, No. 8 Thoreau 46 - F

No. 4 Hatch Valley 47, No. 5 Sandia Prep 24 - F

No. 6 Robertson 80, No. 3 Dexter 53 - F

No. 7 Tohatchi 61, No. 2 West Las Vegas - F

2A GIRLS BASKETBALL

First Round - May 3rd

No. 1 Pecos 54, No. 8 Rehoboth Christian 27 - F

No. 2 Lordsburg 52, No. 7 ATC 37 - F

No. 5 Tatum 2, No. 4 Escalante 0 - FF

No. 6 Clayton 46, No. 3 Mescalero Apache 38 - F

1A GIRLS BASKETBALL

First Round - May 3rd

No. 1 Roy/Mosquero 51, No. 8 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove 12 - F

No. 2 Fort Sumner 63, No. 7 Ramah 32 - F

No. 3 Melrose 45, No. 6 Gateway Christian 30 - F

No. 5 Animas 43, No. 4 Alamo Navajo 29 - F

Devin Marquez will be bringing up updates from this game today!

Coach Matt Abney @Bigtimehoopsnm will be bringing the live updates from the game.

*****FIRST ROUND SCOREBOARD (May 3rd & 4th)*****

Post here or text to 505-414-4313

5A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - May 4th
No. 1 Cleveland (11-1) vs No. 8 Santa Fe (9-3 overall), 7pm
No. 2 Roswell 2, No. 7 Carlsbad - FF
No. 3 Las Cruces (12-0) vs No. 6 Los Lunas (10-2 overall), 7pm
No. 4 Atrisco Heritage (8-2) vs No. 5 Sandia (9-1 overall), 6pm

4A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - May 4th
No.1 Del Norte (9-1) vs No. 8 Highland (7-3 overall), 7pm
No. 2 Artesia 76 No. 7 Silver 58 - F
No. 3 Gallup (9-1) vs No. 6 Bernalillo (10-2 overall), 7pm
No. 4 Espanola Valley (9-3) vs No. 5 Kirtland Central (10-1 overall), 5pm

3A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Robertson 64, No. 8 Cobre 46 - F
No. 2 Hot Springs 70, No. 7 Thoreau 43 - F
No. 3 Navajo Prep 48, No. 6 NMMI 47 - F
No. 4 Sandia Prep 43, No. 5 St. Michael's 42 - F/OT
Link: 3A First Round Preview
Link: Top Players to Watch

2A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Rehoboth Christian 45, No. 8 Monte Del Sol 32 - F
No. 2 Jal 47, No. 7 Texico 40 - F
No. 3 Pecos 73, No. 6 Escalante 57 - F
No. 4 Mescalero Apache 68, No. 5 Tularosa 40 - F
Link: First Round Preview - Class 2A
Link: Top 20 Players to Watch in Class 2A

1A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Magdalena 2, No. 8 Pine Hill 0 - FF
No. 2 Melrose 45, No. 7 Springer 45 - F
No. 3 Elida 78, No. 6 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove 69 - F
No. 4 Fort Sumner 63, No. 5 Mesilla Valley 20 - F
Link: First Round Preview
Link: Top 20 Players to Watch in Class 1A

Devin Marquez will be bringing us all the updates from this contest.

5A & 4A First Round Previews & Picks

NMPreps.com's guide to the 2021 New Mexico high school basketball state tournament.

Top Seeds: No. 1 Cleveland (5A), No. 1 Del Norte (4A)

Cleveland: The Storm enters the postseason with an 11-1 overall record and ranked No. 3 in the NMPreps Power-20 Rankings. Who they have? Tre Watson (2021) is a top-5 prospect in New Mexico high school basketball although he has opted to play college football at D-1 Fresno State. Nathan Hasberry another ranked in the top-10 along with Evan Gonzales create a trio of talent. Win it all? Well, the Storm has been the bridesmaids one too many times and has yet to claim the title in basketball, this is another very good chance but the seven teams playing this week are also very good.

Del Norte: They have Shane Douma-Sanchez who along with Las Cruces Bulldawg star Duece Williams has owned the player of the week honors this season. The two are likely in the running for New Mexico Mr. Basketball because of that feat as well. The Knights (No. 13 NMPreps Top-20) is the 1-seed in the 4A bracket this season and ranked No. 1 in our 4A rankings. Who else? Fellow sophomore Judah Causus and Feathers Valencia (2021) create a trio of unstoppable force for the Knights. A very tough team that is going to be tested but overall they have what it takes to be successful in March (I mean May).

Bracket Busters: No. 3 Las Cruces (5A), No. 3 Gallup (4A)

Las Cruces: The defending state champs were the easy pick here being a team outside of the top-2 for our bracket buster. They currently feature the top prospect from the 2022 class Duece Benjamin along with Isaiah Carr who is sitting behind him in the top rankings. We should also add in that the Bulldawgs have the only head coach to win New Mexico Coach of the Year a pair of times in William Benjamin. They are also currently ranked No. 1 in our NMPreps Power-20 rankings.

Gallup: Oddly enough the two teams we have favored to win it all are the 3-seed in each bracket. The Bengals have Joaqin Ortega (2022) atop, the next-level type of guard that could carry the Bengals forward. Head coach Joshua Dunlap has kept the Bengals playing well, they reached the Final Four last season, and at 9-1 overall on the season they again are a force to be playing late.

Upset Special: No. 5 Kirtland Central (4A)

Kirtland Central: We are only picking one here because Covid upset the other team (Carlsbad) that we were going to pick here... if we had to pick, that is. Oh and we do. So out of the four games, the Broncos seem like the most likely choice in the group as the 10-1 Broncos held the top ranking spot for a few weeks. The Broncos are taking on a talented Espanola Valley team but this one comes down to more than talent. Who can execute their game plan late in the fourth quarter.

Game of the Night: No. 4 Atrisco Heritage vs No. 5 Sandia (5A)

Well, we know which game I'll be focused on tonight. Yes, the Adrian Ortega led Jaguars taking on the biggest dark horse of the season in the Sandia Matadors. We should add that Sandia hasn't sniffed the playoffs at this level in quite some time but Danny Brown has them on the surge of a breakout. Adrian Ortega, once the head man at Sandia, has built Atrisco Heritage into power and dare we say soon to be dynasty with a couple of rings in the last three years. Sandia can't get caught up in being at state again as the Jaguars might be the most comfortable team late in the season.

Sneaky Pick: No. 2 Artesia (4A), No. 6 Los Lunas (5A)

Artesia: In 4A the Bulldogs are going to be well-coached and well prepared. I've always admired Coach Mondragon's teams and this one is being overlooked as the 2-seed in the bracket. They'll roll over Silver and battle in the Final Four.

Los Lunas: Much like how Artesia will be running their sets and style of play, the Tigers will be just as prepared to take on the Bulldawgs. The Tigers have outplayed their hand winning a district championship their first in 5A and with a rising star and team building for the future this could just night that everything is clicking. Young Holland (2025) against Benjamin (2022) will be something to watch.

Grine's Picks

5A Champ: Cleveland over Las Cruces
5A Final Four: Cleveland over Atrisco; Las Cruces over Roswell

4A Champ: Gallup over Del Norte
4A Final Four: Del Norte over Kirtland Central; Gallup over Artesia

Jal High School has openings for both boys are girls to fill its invitational basketball tournament on Dec 2-4. Please contact Dusty Loftis at 575-390-2887 or dusty.loftis@jalnm.org if interested.

Player tested positive

Congrats to grant and Teton for their opportunity to play the greatest game ever at the highest level. Pretty awesome to have two nm boys represent our state in the nfl. Two great young men whom have been raised the right way.

Post here. Please leave the scoreboard for score updates.

3A BOYS

(1) Robertson over (8) Cobre - Check
(2) Hot Springs over (7) Thoreau - Check
(4) Sandia Prep over (5) St. Mikes - Check
(6) NMMI over (3) Navajo Prep - Wrong
3-1

2A BOYS

(1) Rehoboth over (8) Monte - Check
(2) Jal over (7) Texico - Check
(3) Pecos over (6) Escalante - Check
(5) Tularosa over (4) Mescalero - Wrong
6-2

1A BOYS

(1) Magdalena over (8) Pine Hill - Null
(2) Melrose over (7) Springer - Check
(3) Elida over (6) Evangel - Check
(4) Fort Sumner over (5) Mesilla Valley - Check
9-2

3A - GIRLS

(1) Navajo Prep over (8) Thoreau - Check
(4) Hatch Valley over (5) Sandia Prep - Check
(6) Robertson over (3) Dexter - Check
(7) Tohatchi over (2) West Las Vegas - Check
13-2

2A - GIRLS

(1) Pecos over Rehoboth - Check
(2) Lordsburg over ATC - Check
(3) Mescalero over Clayton - Wrong
(5) Tatum over (4) Escalante - Null
15-3

1A GIRLS

(1) Roy over (8) Evangel - Check
(2) Fort Sumner over (7) Ramah - Check
(3) Melrose over (6) Gateway - Check
(5) Animas over (4) Alamo Navajo - Check
19-3

Record on Monday: 19-3 overall

Post here. Please leave the scoreboard for score updates.

NMPreps.com's recap from the first day of the 2021 New Mexico high school basketball state tournament. #nmpreps

BOYS BASKETBALL

3A - (1) Robertson over (8) Cobre, 64-46. The Cardinals came out a bit sluggish while the Cobre Indians had upset on their mind. They had more energy and were knocking down shots and kept things close throughout the first half, trailing the top seed 23-21 heading into the locker room. The second half was a different story as the Cardinals and top guard Matthew Gonzales came out firing as the Cardinals jumped to a 10-0 run out of the half. The Cardinals had all of the momenta to take the opening round by the score of 64-46.

3A - (2) Hot Springs over (7) Thoreau, 70-43. It was a slow start to the game for both teams as neither could hit anything outside of the paint. However, it would be the Tigers trio of Verrels Lukman (2021), Nathan Salcido (2021), and Randin Gossett (2022) to get this engine moving. Salcido a sound all-around guard was dishing out passes but also knocking down from the outside with Lukman. Gossett, a utility type of player was scoring in transition but on boards in the paint.

3A - (4) Sandia Prep over (5) St. Michael's, 43-42 (OT). The Horsemen came out with all of the energy on both sides of the ball. They were creating turnovers, scoring in transition, and looking like the better seed throughout the opening two quarters. The Horsemen failed to capitalize on easy scores and although they looked in full control only led 15-9 at the half. Both teams came out ready to score in the third quarter and after a Sandia Prep early run the Horsemen fought back to give us a 35-35 tie at the end of four quarters. St. Mikes had the ball for the final 16 seconds but failed to make anything happen and lost 43-42 in overtime to the Sundevils.

2A - (1) Rehoboth Christian over (8) Monte Del Sol, 45-32. The Rehoboth fanbase was alive and loud to witness the Lynx with their first-ever 1-seed at the state tournament. The Lynx used a press and pressure defense to continue forcing turnovers on Monte Del Sol. The Lynx just had too much for Monte Del Sol from the start of this contest. Unfortunately, we were only able to see a little of this one.

2A - (2) Jal over (7) Texico, 47-40. Honestly, this game felt like it could have been a state championship and maybe in a regular non-covid season they would have been a 1-seed and maybe 2/3-seed and would have met in the state championship. Jal was as-advertised with weapons in both the frontcourt and backcourt. They press you and rattle you at every corner of the gym. They might have been one of the best teams that I watched all day and liked the guard play and with Carreon inside they have great make-up. I'll stand by my statement that the winner of this game would win it all.

3A BOYS BASKETBALL

First Round - Monday, May 3rd

No. 1 Robertson 64, No. 8 Cobre 46 - F

No. 2 Hot Springs 70, No. 7 Thoreau 43 - F

No. 3 Navajo Prep 48, No. 6 NMMI 47 - F

No. 4 Sandia Prep 43, No. 5 St. Michael's 42 - F/OT

2A BOYS BASKETBALL

First Round - Monday, May 3rd

No. 1 Rehoboth Christian 45, No. 8 Monte Del Sol 32 - F

No. 2 Jal 47, No. 7 Texico 40 - F

No. 3 Pecos 73, No. 6 Escalante 57 - F

No. 4 Mescalero Apache 68, No. 5 Tularosa 40 - F

1A BOYS BASKETBALL

First Round - Monday, May 3rd

No. 1 Magdalena 2, No. 8 Pine Hill 0 - FF

No. 2 Melrose 45, No. 7 Springer 45 - F

No. 3 Elida 78, No. 6 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove 69 - F

No. 4 Fort Sumner 63, No. 5 Mesilla Valley 20 - F

Matt Abney will be posting updates from this game taking place at Hatch Valley tonight. He will be posting all week with us and bring game coverage and post-game notes.

Devin Marquez will be posting updates from this game taking place at Bernalillo. He will be posting all week with us and bring game coverage and post-game notes.

Post here or text to 505-414-4313

Fill out your brackets now. Pick each round.

5A BOYS
(1) Cleveland vs (8) Santa Fe
(2) Roswell vs (7) Carlsbad
(3) Las Cruces vs (6) Los Lunas
(4) Atrisco Heritage vs (5) Sandia

4A BOYS
(1) Del Norte vs (8) Highland
(2) Artesia vs (7) Silver
(3) Gallup vs (6) Bernalillo
(4) Espanola Valley vs (5) Kirtland Central

3A BOYS
(1) Robertson vs (8) Cobre
(2) Hot Springs vs (7) Thoreau
(3) Navajo Prep vs (6) NMMI
(4) Sandia Prep vs (5) St. Mike's

2A BOYS
(1) Rehoboth Christian vs (8) Monte Del Sol
(2) Jal vs (7) Texico
(3) Pecos vs (6) Escalante
(4) Mescalero Apache vs (5) Tularosa

1A BOYS
(1) Magdalena vs (8) Pine Hill
(2) Melrose vs (7) Springer
(3) Elida vs (6) Evangel/Oak Hill
(4) Fort Sumner/House vs (5) Mesilla Valley

Matt Abney will be posting updates from this game taking place at Hatch Valley tonight. He will be posting all week with us and bring game coverage and post-game notes.

2021 New Mexico High School State Tournament First Round Preview

Selection Saturday night is officially in the books, and the 2021 State Tournament is here. This season each bracket will only feature 8-teams and NMPreps will preview each classification to get you prepared for each game.

5A BASKETBALL

No. 1 Hobbs vs No. 8 Sandia, 6pm
No. 2 Volcano Vista vs No. 7 La Cueva, 7pm
No. 3 Centennial vs No. 6 Eldorado, 7pm
No. 4 Los Lunas vs No. 5 Cleveland, 4:30pm (at Cleveland)

The Favorites: No. 1 Hobbs, No. 2 Volcano Vista

There's nothing much more to say here that hasn't been mentioned - the Hobbs Eagles are a juggernaut. They feature the top-ranked player from the 2023 class and third overall regardless of classification in Wisdom Anthony. We should also mention they have the top-ranked head coach in New Mexico in Joey Carpenter. The Volcano Vista Hawks sitting passenger to the Eagles again will look to battle and have a tall order in the opening round. They do have a pair of Top-25 players and as of recently, number four ranked prospect Natalia Chavez earned an offer from Division I Colorado State University. Both teams enter the postseason with a 10-0 overall record and looking for a rematch on the final day.

The Bracket Buster: No. 4 Los Lunas

The Los Lunas Tigers head coach Marty Zeller has the pedigree to take the Tiger far in the tournament. The Tigers won three consecutive state champions in 4A basketball before moving up to 5A this season and are still looking to end their season at the top. They moved their first-round home game to Rio Rancho at Cleveland High School against the 6-seed Cleveland Storm in order to have fans. The Tigers also feature a serious trio of next-level players in Natalie Jojola (Western Colorado commit), Feleena Candelaria (Adams State commit), and Mia Guest (Colorado Christian). The Tigers are 11-1 on the season with the lone loss to Hobbs, 55-32.

Potentnial 5-8 Seed To Finals: No. 7 La Cueva, No. 6 Eldorado

We had to pick two teams here today with the 5A bracket being absolutely loaded. Truthfully, I feel 7 of 8 teams could win it all and although Hobbs will likely beat Sandia, the Matadors are a top-eight squad. It was a bummer that Farmington missed out on that tough district. Back to these two squads. Centennial is having a great season at 12-0 and got better as the season went on. They also have a duo in Larissa Laborin (2022) and Aspen Salazar (2023) that continues to catch our eye. The team standing in front of them though is an upset brewing senior duo of Hayley Valencia and Cece Barela of Eldorado. If anything I can feel a battle taking place. I'm torn with placing La Cueva in the mix but honestly, they might be one of the toughest 7-seed teams a 2-seed has to face with the backcourt of Rylie Ottmann (2022) and Jerzie Jones (2022).

Grine's Bracket: Hobbs over Volcano Vista in the SC; Hobbs over Los Lunas & Volcano Vista over Centennial in the Final Four. No upsets although I know there is going to at least be one.

4A BASKETBALL

No.1 Del Norte (9-1) vs No. 8 Highland (7-3 overall), 7pm
No. 2 Artesia (9-3) vs No. 7 Silver (8-3 overall), 2pm
No. 3 Gallup (9-1) vs No. 6 Bernalillo (10-2 overall), 7pm
No. 4 Espanola Valley (9-3) vs No. 5 Kirtland Central (10-1 overall), 5pm

3A BASKETBALL

No. 1 Navajo Prep vs No. 8 Thoreau, 6pm
No. 2 West Las Vegas vs No. 7 Tohatchi, 6pm (at Bernalillo HS)
No. 3 Dexter vs No. 6 Robertson, 5pm
No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep, 6:30pm

The Favorite: No. 1 Navajo Prep (11-0 overall)

Well, the defending champs haven't missed a beat and looking to claim another state championship. After going perfect during the regular season the Eagles have been getting better as the season progresses. First-round opponent, 8-seed Thoreau, also having one of their best years hope a third round with the Eagles will play into their favor. The two district foes met a couple of times, Thoreau only lost by ten in the first game. Already being considered one of the top girl's head coaches in the state, head coach Rainy Crisp would only put a stamp on that claim.

Upset Special: No. 6 Robertson (8-4 overall)

This one was surprisingly not moved to a neutral site but the Robertson Cardinals could use that as a chance to win and take one home on the long bus ride. The Cardinals will need to be the first team to beat the Dexter Demons who are 11-0 and the 3-seed in today's first round. Robertson's inside presence of Jayden Jenkins, 17 points and 12 rebounds per game, could create issues for Dexter.

Shocker: No. 7 Tohatchi (8-4 overall)

This could be a stretch. However, the Tohatchi Lady Cougars have been tested and three of their four losses come to the like of Navajo Prep (the top seed) and one to Gallup a top seed in 4A. Yes, the Zuni loss is ugly but I wouldn't be shocked to see Tohatchi pull this one off.

Game to Watch: No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep

Hatch Valley enters the contest 11-1 and 7-0 at home. They are led by Makenzie Williams who is averaging around 14.2 points per game this season. Sandia Prep from Albuquerque brings a 9-2 overall record into the game and will look to Destiny Archibald who is averaging 17 points per game. Hatch Valley can put points up and can't allow for Sandia Prep to slow in down creating a halfcourt game.

Grine's Picks: Navajo Prep beats Tohatchi for SC; Navajo Prep beats Hatch Valley & Tohatchi beats Tohatchi.

2A BASKETBALL

No. 1 Pecos vs No. 8 Rehoboth Christian, 4pm
No. 2 Lordsburg vs No. 7 ATC, 4pm (at Hatch Valley HS)
No. 3 Mescalero Apache vs No. 6 Clayton, 5:30pm (at Portales HS)
No. 4 Escalante vs No. 5 Tatum, TBA

The Favorite: No. 1 Pecos

The Pecos Panthers are in a familiar spot as the top-seed in the state tournament. This time the Panthers (11-0 overall) will be the favorite with head coach Bryan Gonzales at the helm and looking to bring the state championship back to Pecos as they did in 2019 under Ron Drake. This season take a look at Trinity Herrera (2021) as she is averaging 17 points per game along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Bracket Buster: No. 3 Mescalero Apache

Does it count for being considered the bracket buster when you are also the defending state champion? Well, the Cheifs are here, again and again, they could be a team that plays on the final day after posting an 11-1 overall record. They are doing it by committee this season and the inside presence of Madisyn Yuzos (2021) could be an issue for most teams. Their lone loss was to 2-seed Lordsburg, a team they also beat, making for an intriguing potential Final Four meeting.

Players to Watch: Mandy Crisp (Clayton), Madison Miller (Lordsburg), Trinity Herrera (Pecos), and Perla Miramontes (ATC).

Crisp leads the way in 2A basketball with 22 points per game this season. All are seniors minus Miramontes who is a freshman for ATC and is averaging 12 points per game as she guides the 7-seed team into the state tournament.

Grine's Picks: Lordsburg over Pecos in the SC; Pecos over Tatum & Lordsburg over Mescalero Apache in the Final Four.

1A BASKETBALL

No. 1 Roy/Mosquero vs No. 8 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove, 5:30pm
No. 2 Fort Sumner vs No. 7 Ramah, 3pm (at Moriarty HS)
No. 3 Melrose vs No. 6 Gateway Christian, 4pm
No. 4 Alamo Navajo vs No. 5 Animas, 4pm (at Hot Springs)

The Favorite: No. 1 Roy/Mosquero

She's been one of the best players for two years now and Riley Clavel (2021) only seemed to get better this season. She is averaging 22 points per game, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest. She also has Tanna Crisp (2023) adding an extra 17 points per game for the undefeated (12-0) Lady Blue of Roy/Mosquero. The Lady Blue takes on Evangel Christian/Oak Grove in the opening round. The Eagles are 5-5 on the season and won the single district game over Coronado.

Final Four Delight: No. 3 Melrose, No. 2 Fort Sumner

Hailey Martin (2021) and the Melrose Buffaloes are 10-1 on the season with the lone loss against the Fort Sumner squad. Well, the Fort Sumner team is 9-1 with its lone loss coming a week ago by one point to Melrose. So the two teams know each other and it will create a great round three. Melrose takes on No. 6 Gateway Christian and Fort Sumner will take on No. 7 Ramah in the opening round.

Upset Special: No. 5 Animas

The Lady Panthers of Animas High School (8-3 overall) enter the game as the 5-seed but are the favorites to take the opening round contest against No. 4 Alamo Navajo Cougars. Animas also has the chance at being considered the dark horse in the bunch and a Final Four with Roy could become one to watch. A reminder this game is taking place at 4 pm on Monday at Hot Springs High School.

Grine's Picks: Fort Sumner over Animas for the SC; Fort Sumner over Melrose and Animas over Roy in the Final Four.

2021 3A State Tournament - 1st Round Preview

'The Road To The PIT' starts today as the first round of the state tournament takes place. The field of 8-teams are all fighting for the blue trophy and we break it down on who will win it all.

Top Seed: Robertson Cardinals (12-0 overall)

The contest has moved to Socorro High School with a 4 pm tip-off against the No. 8 Cobre Indians (8-4 overall). Robertson had one of their best with an undefeated regular season at 12-0 is looking to bring home a state championship to Las Vegas. Robertson battled in a strong district and look to the leadership of top player Matthew Gonzales (2022) in their state tournament run. They'll battle in the opening round with Cobre a team that was showing signs of being a top-5 seed late in the season.

Bracket Buster: No. 5 St. Michael's (7-2 overall)

The Horsemen as of late have been the team getting busted as a top seed. Will this year be the one that we see back in the state championship? The roster has seemed to only start getting together, they bring size, and they have overall a talented group. The first-round game against No. 4 Sandia Prep, whom many believe will win it all and is the overwhelming favorite, could be considered the best game in the first round as well.

New Champ or Gap Year: No. 2 Hot Springs Tigers (11-1 overall)

Technically yes we will have a new state champion as Bosque didn't make the 8-team field this season. However, will the 2019 state champion Hot Springs Tigers fill in after a year away from being the state champs? They sure are battled test as this will be their 7th game in 8-days - they went 6-0 last week playing Monday through Saturday. They will have a small test with Thoreau in the opening round but why we like another Tiger run is because top-50 player Verrels Lukman at point guard for his senior season.

Upset Special (again): No. 6 NMMI Colts (8-3 overall) vs No. 3 Navajo Prep Eagles (11-1 overall)

Well, the location has changed to Rio Rancho at Cleveland High School (6 pm) and maybe that will shake off the nightmare of falling again as the better seed. NMMI took out the Eagles last in Farmington. The headline remains the same this season with Dontrelle Denestso (2021) leading the way for Navajo Prep and Daniel Xibille (2021) guiding the NMMI Colts.

Grine's Picks: Hot Springs over Sandia Prep for the SC; Hot Springs over NMMI & Sandia Prep over Robertson in the Final Four.

2021 State Tournament: Top 20 Players to Watch in Class 2A

NMPreps.com's list of the top 20 players to watch during the 2A state tournament in 2021. #nmpreps