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Week of April 12th-17th

BY POINTS



BY FIRST NAME



BY SCHOOL NAME

Week Four Player of the Week?

Winners and Losers this week (or hot and cold)

Contenders/Pretenders

Worst and best job you've ever had? Also, what is your dream job?

OPTION I

6A (ALL SPORTS) - 2668-1600 Enrollment but must have at least 16 teams. 16 Highest Enrollment Schools

Green Chile District
Hobbs
Las Cruces
Clovis
Onate
Carlsbad
Alamogordo
Rio Rancho
Cleveland

Red Chile District
Atrisco
Volcano Vista
Cibola
Albuquerque
Sandia
La Cueva
Eldorado
West Mesa

Ten Game Season
Can only play 1 game vs a 5A classification team. 9 games must be against 6A (7 district games)
8 Teams Make the Playoffs
District Champion and District Runner Up (Automatic Bids) - 4 Auto Bids
4 At-Large Bids

5A (ALL SPORTS) - 1550 to 1000 - 22 Teams.

Centennial
Gadsden
Mayfield
Deming
Santa Teresa
Chaparral
Artesia
Roswell
Goddard

Los Lunas
Belen
Rio Grande
Manzano
Highland
Valley
Del Norte

Capital
Santa Fe
Los Alamos
Farmington
Miyamura
Piedra Vista

10 Game Season
12 Team Playoff
District Champs - Automatic Playoff Birth; 9 At-Large Bids
Can only play 1 team from 4A team and 1 6A team; or can opt to play 2 6A teams. 8 games must be played against 5A teams.

4A (ALL SPORTS) - 999 - 500 (Cap 20 Teams)

Aztec
Bloomfield
Kirtland Central
Shiprock
Gallup

St. Pius
Academy
Hope
Grants
Silver

Taos
Espanola
Pojoaque
St. Mikes
Bernalillo

Lovington
Portales
Ruidoso
Valencia
Moriarty

12 Teams Make Playoffs.
4 Automatics to DC's
8 At-Large Bids.
Must play 9 games against 4A teams. 1 game can be played against 5A only (can not play a 3A team). Silver can have an exception to play regional teams like Deming, Santa Teresa and Chaparral along with Cobre.

Week Four Road to the PIT

AUTOMATIC BIDS - DISTRICT CHAMPS
Cleveland
Record: 9-0 overall .1000
District Placement: DC
Rankings: Coach Poll: 1, Freeman: 1

La Cueva
Record: 4-0 overall 1.000
DP: DC
Rankings: Coach Poll: 5, Freeman: (est) 8.5

Las Cruces
Record; 7-0 1.000
DP: DC
Rankings: Coach Poll: 2, Freeman: 5

Roswell
Record: 7-1 .875
DP: DC
Rankings: Coach Poll: 11, Freeman: 2

Santa Fe
Record: 6-2 .750
DP: DC
Rankings: Coach Poll: 8, Freeman: 6


AT-LARGE TEAMS - BUBBLE
Atrisco Heritage (3rd)
Record: 3-2 overall .600
District Placement: 2nd (1-5A)
Rankings: Coach Poll: No. 7 Freeman: 7

Sandia (5th)
Record: 4-1 overall .800
DP: 2nd (2-5A)
Rankings: Coach Poll: 10, Freeman: 10

Alamogordo (4th)
Record: 6-1 .857
DP: 2nd (3-5A)
Rankings: Coach: 9, Freeman 11

Hobbs (1st)
Record: 5-1 .833
DP: 2nd (4-5A)
Rankings: Coach: 6, Freeman 3

Los Lunas (2nd)
Record: 5-1 .833
DP: 2nd (5-5A)
Rankings: Coach: 4, Freeman 8

BUBBLE - THIRD PLACE FINISHERS

Clovis (2)
Record: 5-3 .625
DP: 3rd (4-5A)
Rankings: Coach: 13, Freeman 3

Capital (1)
Record: .667
DP: 3rd (5-5A)
Rankings: Coach: 12, Freeman 15


5A BRACKET AS OF SUNDAY, APRIL 18TH

No. 1 Cleveland Storm (95%) vs No. 8 Atrisco Heritage (80%)
No. 2 Las Cruces Bulldawgs (95%) No. 7 Los Lunas Tigers (85%)
No. 3 Roswell Coyotes (80%) vs No. 6 Santa Fe (85%)
No. 4 La Cueva Bears (75%) vs No. 5 Hobbs Eagles (75%)

First Two Out
No. 9 Alamogordo
No. 10 Sandia

Next Two Out
No. 11 Capital
No. 12 Clovis


How we got here: Looked at four of six criteria points as of today (4/18). First looked at DC's, then added District runner-up teams, then added third-place finishers if a DRUP won out.






--------4/15------------
5A BASKETBALL

Today, we take a look at NMPreps.com's Road to The PIT. It is our official bracket watch if the season ended today and as of standings today.

District 1-5A
Cleveland (7-0, 3-0)
Atrisco Heritage (2-2, 2-1)
Volcano Vista (3-2, 1-2)
Rio Rancho (4-2, 1-2)
Cibola (2-3, 1-3)

District 2-5A
La Cueva (3-0, 3-0)
West Mesa (1-0, 1-0)
Sandia (2-1, 2-1)
Eldorado (2-1, 2-1)
Farmington (2-3, 0-3)
Piedra Vista (0-5, 0-3)

District 3-5A
Las Cruces (4-0, 4-0)
Alamogordo (5-1, 5-1)
Mayfield (3-1, 3-1)
Onate (1-3, 1-3)
Centennial (1-3, 1-3)
Deming (1-4, 1-4)
Gadsden (1-4, 1-4)

District 4-5A
Roswell (6-1, 1-0)
Clovis (5-1, 1-0)
Hobbs (4-1, 0-1)
Carlsbad (3-2, 0-1)

District 5-5A
Los Lunas (3-0, 3-0)
Santa Fe (5-1, 4-0)
Capital (2-2, 2-2)
Albuquerque (2-2, 2-2)
Manzano (1-3, 1-3)
Rio Grande (0-5, 0-5)

BRACKET WATCH

Automatic Bids

Cleveland (Projected Record: 12-0)
La Cueva (Projected Record: 12-0)
Las Cruces (Projected Record: 12-0)
Roswell (Projected Record: 11-1)
Los Lunas (Projected Record: 12-0)

Scoop: Five of eight bids immediately gone to DC's. Plenty of movement to take place as of today and we still need a Los Lunas-Santa Fe showdown. Today, we give the projected win to Los Lunas based on ranking only. Also, let me put this out there even though most won't read it - do I think all four go 12-0 - NO. This is just based on being the "favorite" in the rest of their games. I see a couple losing at least one game.

First Three In

Hobbs (4-1) - Ranked high in both freeman poll and NMPreps poll and although they'll drop some Roswell still very high on the chart. Hobbs if they finish as runner up will also have a quality record with a possible 10-2 record.

Alamogordo (4-1) - For NMPreps Alamogordo is the third-ranked team in the classification. However, in the freeman, they have a pretty low rating. They absolutely need to head into the post-season 10-2.

Santa Fe (5-1) - The Demons as discussed could still take an auto bid when they play Los Lunas. Today, we gave LL the nod but as of today, this is a coinflip. Possible 9-3 record going into the postseason.

First Three Out

Atrisco Heritage (2-2) - The Jaguars missing the playoffs would be a bummer and you look back to the Del Norte loss and wanting that one back criteria-wise. If they win the games they should they could be 9-3 heading into the postseason and then it could become a debate between them and Santa Fe.

Clovis (4-1) - Currently they are tied for the auto from 4-5A but we gave the nod to Roswell as of today. The issue is Clovis could also finish, and we projected that, behind Hobbs. They might head to the postseason 8-4.

Volcano Vista (3-2) - The Hawks losing to Cibola really hurt their playoff hopes. They've looked great since that point but that loss could haunt them. They take on Atrisco Heritage tonight (Wednesday, April 14th) at home and a win here will move them up and could argue with Santa Fe for that last spot. A projected record at this point is 7-5 overall.

Still in play
Sandia (2-1) - should be higher but a wait and see what happens after this week.
Capital (2-2) - Could still make a run and wouldn't count out, yet.
Mayfield (3-1) - May need to upset either Las Cruces or Alamogordo.
Rio Rancho (4-2) - Clearly behind Atrsico and Volcano but they still have six games to go.

2021 State Tournament

No. 1 Cleveland vs No. 8 Santa Fe
No. 2 Las Cruces vs No. 7 Los Lunas
No. 3 Roswell vs No. 6 Alamogordo
No. 4 La Cueva vs No. 5 Hobbs

Confidence Level: 60%.
We still have to wait on freeman to update all teams. We will then break down wins over DC's, H2H, coach poll etc. This is just a very broad first look and at only 60% confidence we can see movement happening.

FINAL CONCLUSION

Still, plenty of movement predicted at this point and there are no clear favorites of getting in or locks may be outside of Las Cruces and Cleveland as of today. Unless they have a complete letdown. This is going to make bracket watch fun from here on out.

Please feel free to post your bracket predictions.

Top Player Performance of Week 4

Each week we track the top players of the week and get them the recognition that they deserve on a national level.

Big Gamers

Noah Reese (Goddard): The six-foot-three junior guard went off on Friday night in a must-win game against Lovington (74-71 OT). Reese had a stat line of 36 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets in the win. The Rockets are 2-0 in district play.

Storm Duo (Cleveland): Tre Watson (24 points) and Nate Hasberry (25 points) combined for 49 points in the win for the Cleveland Storm over Volcano Vista on Friday night. A huge win on the road for the Storm who are looking to earn a 1-seed at the state tournament and stay perfect on the season at (9-0 overall, 5-0 in district).

Colby Wade (Atrisco Heritage): Welcome newcomer, junior-center, Colby Wade who put in 29-points in a win over Cibola on Friday night. The Jaguars are in a must-win every single night and they are answering that call. They beat Cibola 63-51 to keep their post-season hopes alive.

Bracket Talk

We will take a look and give our final week four into week five revision for the bracket watch. Reminder, we have a lot of basketball to play but the window is closing with the state tournament happing the first week of May.

Automatics

Robertson with an overtime win over St. Michael's, 51-47 (OT), helps to nearly lock up the automatic bid from district 2-3A. Also, we looked at the criteria points on Friday afternoon and they could be looking at a 1-seed in the state tournament.

Fringe Teams

We mentioned Atrisco Heritage keeping their tournament hopes alive and now move onto our NMPreps Fringe. Hobbs who we will mention again keeps their playoff hopes alive and on the fringe with a win over Clovis.

Bubbles

Hobbs and Clovis are fighting for the runner-up slot, as of today, and the Eagles earned the 2-point win in this rivalry game (53-51). Roswell beat Carlsbad so right now it sits: Roswell (2-0), Hobbs (1-1), Clovis (1-1), Carlsbad (0-2). Clovis may have had the bubble pop as they still have two games with Roswell and then have to travel to Hobbs.

Volcano Vista and Cibola. The VV Hawks dropped to (3-4 overall, 1-4 in district) and Cibola (2-3 overall, 1-3 in district) place them on the bubble and this could be the wrong side of the bubble for both.

Saturday Preview

NMPreps guide to watching NM high school basketball on Saturday.

Auto Game

Los Lunas (5-0, 5-0 district) at Santa Fe (5-2, 4-1 district): The hype would have been greater had the Demons not been upset early this week by Albuquerque High. This one still has the district championship on the line, a Tiger win and it nearly locks it up behind that young roster and head coach Julian doing his magic again.

Just a Game

Hope Christain (1-5) at Bernalillo (6-1): Not much else with meaning on Saturday in 4A hoops. We picked this one because never in my career at NMPreps (circa Novmeber 2008) have we seen a Huskie team this down. The game we watched them play against Valley was the telling story. Valley, by the way, is in a must-win today against Albuquerque Academy after a three-game skid (1-3 overall).

I need to know what you guys want more of on NMPreps.

We've hit it hard on sending film and the recruiting side partnering with colleges and as you've noticed we have more colleges after our NM kids. I spend hours on that part.


.However what extra can we do in 2021 that makes the site better? more interviews like this?

Centennial: Interview with Head Coach Aaron Ocampo
Hatch Valley: Interview with Head Coach Louis Howell
Sandia: Interview with Head Coach Chad Adcox

We also are going to have a daily 20 minute podcast strictly for Football. Maybe other sports.

Grine: Buy, Sell, Hold - Four Weeks Down

We have two weeks left in the New Mexico high school basketball season. Today, we look at the contenders, pretenders, and teams that you shouldn't sell just yet.

Who do you buy making the playoffs and then making the Final Four?

5A BASKETBALL

Buy: La Cueva Bears (4-0 overall); Atrisco Heritage (3-2 overall)
--Scoop: The Bears are good. They are more structured, disciplined, and playing to their strengths. Micele Surodjawan (2021), Kealan Atkinson (2021), Ced Yates (2023), and Exodus Ayers (2023) have created a solid lineup. Add point guard Josiah Gulifard (2023) and that 2023 class is loaded for the Bears in terms of that backcourt. State Tournament bid and I could see this Bears team getting to the Final Four.

Sell: Volcano Vista Hawks (3-4 overall); Hobbs (5-1 overall)
--Scoop: So at the start of the season I take 5 teams that can make the Final Four. In a normal season, I would chop it down as value falls or rises. Well, let's say I held on too long on Volcano Vista. This was a tough week in a tough district. Hobbs could still be a player at this point with a 5-1 record but they have to make sure they can lock up one of the three at-large bids. After the Roswell game, I just don't feel I should hold on to them anymore. I feel still good money at this point to sell and not lose as they have the stock to get it down the next two weeks but my list of 7 has to get to 6 this week.

Hold: Alamogordo (6-1 overall), Cleveland (9-0 overall), & Las Cruces (7-0)
--Scoop: So of my preseason 5 that I could see making the Final Four has its first official change. I've sold on Volcano Vista and Hobbs and bought La Cueva and Atrisco Heritage. Yes, Alamogordo fell to Las Cruces at home but I can't sell them and will hold on to them getting an at-large and then winning in the first round. Cleveland and Las Cruces are too talented not to make the Final Four. Bulldawgs are playing like a repeat is almost a certain thing.

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Monday, April 12th
Espanola Valley 45, Taos 39
Hot Springs 63, Chaparral 34
Jal 63, Dexter 28
Mescalero Apache 56, Capitan 21
Pojoaque Valley 60, Moriarty 50
Santa Fe 78, Rio Grande 46
Santa Rosa 49, Tucucmari 31
Silver 44, Cobre 29
Texico 51, Tatum 36
Thoreau 49, Crownpoint 48
Zuni 61, Tohatchi 50

Tuesday, April 13th
Alamogordo 85, Gadsden 36
Alamo Navajo 71, Carrizozo 49
Artesia 55, Lovington 53
Bernalillo 72, Albuquerque Academy 46
Bloomfield 70, Aztec 43
Capital 62, Manzano 36
Clovis 44, Carlsbad 33
Del Norte 53, Valley 52
East Mountain 57, Cuba 37
Escalante 73, Penasco 44
Fort Sumner 55, Clovis Christian 45
Gallup 69, Miyamura 49
Gateway Christian 68, Lake Arthur 42
Goddard 54, Portales 36
Hagerman 77, Eunice 54
Hatch Valley 61, Mesilla Valley 51 - 2OT
Highland 57, St. Pius X 48
Hondo Valley 86, Vaughn 25
Jal 47, Tatum 26
Kirtland Central 73, Shiprock 52
Las Cruces 65, Centennial 32
Logan 86, San Jon 33
Los Lunas 55, Albuquerque 46
Magdalena 66, Mountainair 31
McCurdy 66, Mora 48
Melrose 83, Grady 19
Mesa Vista 48, Questa 45
Monte Del Sol Charter 62, Academy for Technology 46
NMMI 57, Loving 7
Onate 45 Mayfield 39
Raton 71, Clayton 56
Rehoboth Christian 61, Legacy Academy 29
Roswell 68, Hobbs 58
Santa Rosa 56, ECAOGCA 49
Springer 66, Maxwell 65
St. Michael's 56, Los Alamos 48
Tularosa 64, Lordsburg 36
Valencia 45, Grants 42

Wednesday, April 14th
Atrisco Heritage 67, Volcano Vista 54
Chaparral 64, Ruidoso 50
Cleveland 50, Rio Rancho 44
Espanola Valley 69, Moriarty 17
Los Alamos 61, Taos 59
Reserve 49, Ramah 26
Robertson 49, Santa Fe Prep 40
Sandia 62, West Mesa 54
Silver 54, Santa Teresa 49
Thoreau 60, Newcomb 42
Tularosa 40, Mescalero Apache 35
West Las Vegas 70, Raton 46

Thursday, April 15th
Albuquerque 49, Santa Fe 45
ATATC 61, Tierra Encantada 35
Bernalillo 60, Valley 55
Cobre 51, Silver 45
Del Norte 85, Hope Christian 62
ECAOGCA 66, Coronado 42
Escalante 71, Mora 26
Gallup 94, Bloomfield 83
Hagerman 50, Gateway Christian 10
Highland 54, Grants 43
Kirtland Central 46, Miyamura 41
Las Cruces 59, Mayfield 42
Los Lunas 53, Manzano 48
Melrose 90, San Jon 21
Mescalero Apache 64, Lordsburg 29
Magdalena 79, Alamo Navajo 26
McCurdy 65, Questa 33
Mesilla valley 40, Cliff 33
Navajo Pine 58, Pine Hill 46
NMMI 72, Tucumcari 33
Pecos 63, Santa Rosa 61
Pojoaque Valley 52, Monte Del Sol 47
Rehoboth Christian 62, Zuni 25
Shiprock 71, Aztec 61
Springer 51, Roy 50as
St. Pius X 66, Belen 24
Tularosa 57, Cloudcroft 29

Friday, April 15th
Artesia 57, Portales 42
Bloomfield 58, Miyamura 39
Capital 84, Rio Grande 24
Clevland 74, Volcano Vista 67
Crownpoint 57, Tohatchi 54
Espanola Valley 69, Pojoaque Valley 58
Fort Sumner 74, San Jon 15
Gallup 83, Shiprock 67
Gateway Christian 45, Dora 40
Goddard 74, Lovington 71 (OT)
Hobbs 53, Clovis 51
Jal 66, Hagerman 41
Kirtland Central 54, Aztec 35
Los Alamos 66, Moriarty 45
Mesilla Valley 62, Animas 33
Navajo Prep 65, Thoreau 58
NMMI 52, Ruidoso 32
Reserve 31, Quemado 24
Robertson 51, St. Mikes 47 (OT)
Roswell 63, Carlsbad 60
Sandia Prep 53, Albuquerque Academy 27
Santa Fe Prep 47, Raton 46
West Las Vegas 77, Springer 55

Saturday, April 18th
Alamogordo 69, Centennial 42
Bernalillo 70, Hope Christian 63
Chaparral 45, Santa Teresa 38
Clovis Christian 69, Dora 48
Coronado 58, Legacy Academy 50
Fort Sumner 78, Grady 36
Grants 57, Belen 28
Highland 65, Valencia 53
La Cueva 55, West Mesa 52
Las Cruces 80, Deming 52
Lovington 64, Clovis 57
Magdalena 72, Mountainair 31
Mora 55, Mesa Vista 49
Raton 80, Tucumcari 48
Rehoboth 65, Ramah 35
Reserve 46, Cliff 45
Rio Rancho 71, St. Pius X 45
Sandia 53, Farmington 40
Santa Fe 55, Los Lunas 35
Santa Rosa 62, Clayton 53
Silver 58, Ruidoso 46
Springer 57, Des Moines 47
Texico 62, Pecos 51
Valley 74, Albuquerque Academy 44

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Wednesday, April 14th
Atrisco Heritage 67, Volcano Vista 54
Chaparral 64, Ruidoso 50
Cleveland 50, Rio Rancho 44
Espanola Valley 69, Moriarty 17
Los Alamos 61, Taos 59
Reserve 49, Ramah 26
Robertson 49, Santa Fe Prep 40
Sandia 62, West Mesa 54
Silver 54, Santa Teresa 49
Thoreau 60, Newcomb 42
Tularosa 40, Mescalero Apache 35
West Las Vegas 70, Raton 46

Eldo has experienced 4 or more Covid cases in the past 2 weeks. This will require a complete school closure for two weeks including all sports.

Favorite pair of basketball shoes that you have ever owned

If you took over the position of the NMAA what are some rules or things you would change?

Spring Football?
Move to 12 games?
Keep Bowl Games?
Keep Bowl Games with 4 Team Playoff?
Rules?
Start date mid-June, the first game first weekend in August? Championship on Thanksgiving weekend?

5A Basketball

Volcano Vista (6-0) at Cleveland (6-1): The Storm (No. 17 NMPreps Top 20) are off to their best start under head coach Susan Kubala. The big task at hand tonight is playing 5A power Volcano Vista (No. 2) tonight with their roster full of Top-50 prospects.

The rest of the night is quiet in 5A hoops; Las Cruces (3-2) and Mayfield (3-2) could be the next best game in the class. Onate (4-1) should roll against Deming (1-4), Los Lunas (5-1) will rock Manzano (0-3) and Centennial (5-0) moves along against Gadsden (0-5). Capital (2-4) vs Rio Grande (0-4), Cibola (2-3) vs Atrisco Heritage (0-5), and Albuquerque (3-1) vs Santa Fe (1-2) round out the evening in 5A hoops.

4A Basketball

Espanola Valley (5-1) at Moriarty (4-0): The 18th ranked Espanola Valley Sundevils hit the road to take on the undefeated Moriarty Pintos. This will be the biggest test for the Pintos this season. Their pre-district schedule featured local small division schools (East Mountain, Santa Rosa, and Estancia); they did look good in their district opener against Pojoaque (56-20). Espanola has been rolling as of late winning by 20 or more in their last three games.

Miyamura (2-2) at Kirtland Central (2-1): Not much of a highlight game as Kirtland Central has owned this series recently but Miyamura is playing well this season. If Miyamura wants to make the state tournament stealing a game against Kirtland Central is the formula.

Bernalillo (6-0) vs Valley (2-2), Hope Christian (4-1) at Del Norte (1-2), and St. Pius X (3-1) at Belen (3-3) all could be decent games. An upset? Likely not.

Shiprock (2-2) vs Aztec (0-4), Taos (2-3) vs Los Alamos (0-5) and Gallup (4-0) vs Bloomfield (1-3) should all win with ease. Highland (3-1) hosting Grants (0-6) is in big favor of the Hornets.

AD's and Basketball Coaches will be meeting today at 9am.

Could it be about suspending the season, maybe adding to the state tournament, or just a reminder to keep wearing masks? I've been asked and have absolutely no idea. The basketball guy in me is hoping for going to 12 or 16 teams to make the state tournament but that's just wishful thinking.

DISTRICT STANDINGS (As of 4/13)


Bids: 1.5
Bid Takers: Kirtland Central, Gallup
Work To Do: Bloomfield
Out: Miyamura, Shiprock, Aztec


Bids: 1.5
Bid Takers: Espanola Valley, Taos
Work To Do: Los Alamos
Out: Pojoaque Valley, Moriarty


Bids: 1
Bid Takers: Silver
Work To Do: Santa Teresa
Out: Chaparral, Ruidoso


Bids: 1
Bid Takers: Artesia
Work Left To Do: Lovington, Goddard
Out: Portales


Bids: 1.5
Bid Takers: Highland Hornets, St. Pius X
Work To Do: Valencia
Out: Grants, Belen



Bids: 2
Bid Takers: Bernalillo, Del Norte
Work To Do: Valley
Out: Hope Christian, Albuquerque Academy

*Yes, games wise all have work left to do and could still earn a bid but this is more of a if the season ended today plus a little projection.

RANKING THE AUTOMATICS
Highland
Bernalillo
Kirtland Central
Espanola Valley
Artesia
Silver

RANKING THE BUBBLE: FIRST TWO IN
Del Norte
Gallup

RANKING THE BUBBLE: FIRST TWO OUT
Valley
Taos

BRACKET AS OF TODAY
No. 1 Highland vs No. 8 Silver
No. 2 Bernalillo vs No. 7 Gallup
No. 3 Del Norte vs No. 6 Artesia
No. 4 Kirtland Central vs No. 5 Espanola Valley

Post here

1. Best Comedy Movie Ever
2. Best Horror Movie

Two Rounds.

Are they happening this season? Should they? Is this the end of them altogether?

What do you have?