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Team Rankings 5A Basketball (Summer 2019): Hobbs Eagles

Do you agree with the Eagles rank?

  • About right (No. 5)

  • Too High (Should be 4 or lower)

  • Too Low (Should be 6 or higher)


Results are only viewable after voting.

NO. 5 HOBBS EAGLES
2018 Season:
21-8 overall, 5-1 district Head Coach: Shelby Reeves

Scoop: Year one of the Shelby Reeves era provide the Eagles with a 21-win season and an Elite Eight appearance. The Eagles looked to return to the run and soar Eagles of the past and nearly upset the top seed Volcano Vista Hawks in The PIT last March. Plenty of good and bad for the Eagles as we look forward to the 2019-2020 season. The bad news is they must replace Jalen Young a smooth stretch four last season that averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. The good news: Jalen Goar (2022) returns after averaging 12 points per game as a freshman last season. Add in Brundun Pettit (2020) and the Eagles have some excitement this coming season. The duo showed well in the state tournament last season.

Ceiling: (4/5 range). This could be the ceiling for the Eagles this season at the 5-spot. The thing with 5A basketball is the parity. Each season we see a double digit seed upset or go for in the playoffs. Rarely do we have an all top seed title game. The Eagles do lose some from last season, some hard pieces for many to replace, but the style of play and return of two solid guards could have them this high.

Floor: (8-10 Seed Range). Winning those non-district games will be key for the Eagles this season. They will also have to tango for the district title with Clovis which took the championship game 85-68 before Hobbs beat them seven days later in the opening round of the state tournament.

Quick Prediction: 20 wins and Elite Eight. This has become the norm for the Eagles winning 20 games and getting two games at the state tournament. Same should happen this season but getting over the Elite Eight hump is the question.

Continued Rankings
#6 La Cueva Bears
#7 Clovis Wildcats
#8 Volcano Vista Hawks
#9 Onate Knights
#10 Rio Rancho Rams
#11 Albuquerque Bulldogs
#12 Eldorado Eagles
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens

  • Poll
Team Rankings 5A Basketball (Summer 2019): La Cueva Bears

Do you agree with the Bears rank?

  • About Right (No. 6)

  • Too High (Should be 5 or lower)

  • Too Low (Should be 7 or higher)


Results are only viewable after voting.

NO. 6 LA CUEVA BEARS
2018 Season:
16-11 overall, 7-1 district Head Coach: Frank Castillo

Scoop: The La Cueva Bears seem to be ready to move back into the next tier of teams in 5A basketball. The Bears return one of the top players in the state in 2020 Derek Aeilts who is having a solid summer on the club ball scene. Aeilts has made a name for himself the last two years with last seasons 21 points per game being the highlight. The 1-2 punch for the Bears will be with Ja'Shon Lowery (2021) returning after a productive sophomore season and sure to see his 9 points/5 rebounds per game to improve.

Ceiling: (5-8 range). I think the Bears are exactly where their ceiling is set, 5-8 range, by the time they release the brackets in March. The Bears are good, Derek Aeilts will argue to be in the Mr. Basketball conversation, but the Bears are going to have to be better than their best each night with the likes of Cleveland, Atrisco Heritage, Santa Fe, Clovis, Volcano Vista all in the mix for a State Championship.

Floor: (10-14 Seed Range). This is a big range for the Bears as we are talking 5-14 altogether between the two conversations. The Bears have their go-to player in Derek, Lowery is projected to be a force, but the overall depth will come into play. As mentioned there will be a handful of teams looking to make claim for a title and you just hope you don't fall in the cracks.

Quick Prediction: 18 wins. I do think the Bears will be two games better this coming season. The Bears will have one of their better teams in the last 5-years.

Continued Rankings
#7 Clovis Wildcats
#8 Volcano Vista Hawks
#9 Onate Knights
#10 Rio Rancho Rams
#11 Albuquerque Bulldogs
#12 Eldorado Eagles
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens
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Cedric Benson

Former Midland Lee Running back Cedric Benson was killed last night in a motor cycle accident.

I remember him playing in high school like it was last week. I think Midland Lee won 3 state titles while he was there.

I remember watching him in Carlsbad when Midland Lee scrimmaged Goddard.

He went on to play for UT and in the NFL for the bears. He is considered one of the greatest high school backs in Texas.

Sad news.

Player Rankings NMPreps.com's Top Defensive Backs to watch in 2019

NMPreps.com's Top Defensive Backs to watch in 2019

Bryce Perez - Bloomfield HS - 2020
Perez helped guide the Bobcats to the 4A State Championship game in 2018 and led the way in interceptions last season, of all DB's on the list.

Estevan Gonzales - West Las Vegas HS - 2020
Gonzales finds himself on the stat leaderboard in both interceptions and total tackles. He will be a force in 3A football.

Trey Ortega - Cleveland HS - 2021
When looking at the top classification, Ortega looks to be one of the best overall DB's to watch in 2019.

Barrett Haemker La Cueva HS 2020
Bart Waldron Aztec 2020
Braxton Padilla Rio Rancho 2021
Brian Hernandez Grants High School 2019
Bryce Perez Bloomfield 2020
Canon Carter Artesia HS 2020
Damien Navarrio Hobbs 2020
Deontay Begay Newcomb 2020
Dominic Nava Roswell 2020
Estevan Gonezales West Las Vegas 2020
Isaiah Gonzales Cleveland HS 2021
Izayah Williams Volcano Vista 2020
Jacob Carabajal La Cueva HS 2020
Jasper Pennington Rio Rancho 2021
Jeston Webskowski Clovis 2021
Julio Borroel Atrisco Heritage 2020
Luke Aragon Belen HS 2020
Luke Wysong Cleveland HS 2021
Tesai Richardson Manzano 2021
Tim Houck Valencia 2020
Tommy Lujan Rio Rancho 2021
Trey Ortega Cleveland 2021
Tyler Wulfert Piedra Vista 2020
William Dougalas Jal HS 2020
Zion Hall Manzano 2020

  • Poll
Best/Worst Case Scenario: Mayfield Trojans

How many wins for the Trojans this season?

  • 10

  • 9

  • 8

  • 7

  • 6

  • 5

  • 4

  • 3

  • 2

  • 1/0


Results are only viewable after voting.

MAYFIELD TROJANS
Spring Preseason Rank: No. 8
2018 Record: 6-5 overall, 4-2 district
Playoffs: First Round

BREAKDOWN
Best-case scenario: 7-3 overall.
The Mayfield Trojans are back in the conversation for a district championship. They took a step back in 2017 but I believe that season is in the rearview mirror and they could be in the conversation as a darkhorse in 2019. Games that could get them to 7 wins this season: Atrisco, Del Valle, West Mesa, Carlsbad, Onate, Gadsden, and Hobbs. The Del Valle game could have the Trojans with a 3-0 start before a visit with preseason number one ranked Cleveland, in Rio Rancho. Del Valle is the one they lost last season but the Conquistadores graduated do-everything QB from last season.

Worst-Case scenario: 5-5 overall. A .500 season is the lowest we could see the Trojans this season. Atrisco, West Mesa, Onate, and Gadsden are the games we see as 'automatics'. Carlsbad is still in that group but maybe in the next tier up but the Cavemen have been in a struggle to break out of the group of teams missing the playoffs each season.

Over/Under: 6.5 wins. The Trojans two magic games come against Del Valle (El Paso, TX) and Hobbs this season. They went 1-1 last season against the two (beat Hobbs, 35-8) but as mentioned the Trojans could have a legit shot at avenging the 28-10 loss to Del Valle last season. We are taking the OVER with the Trojans.

Prediction: 7-3 Overall.

SCHEDULE
8.23 vs Atrisco Heritage Academy
8.30 vs Del Valle
9.6 vs West Mesa
9.13 at Cleveland
9.21 vs Carlsbad
9.27 vs Onate
10.11 vs Centennial
10.18 at Gadsden
10.25 at Hobbs
11.1 at Las Cruces

Related
Albuquerque Bulldogs (July 22nd)
Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (July 25th)
Belen Eagles (July 13th)

Capitan Tigers
Carlsbad Cavemen (May 28th)
Centennial Hawks (July 13th)
Cibola Cougars (July 26th)
Cleveland Storm (July 15th)
Clovis Wildcats (May 27th)
Eldorado Eagles (August 6th)
Estancia Bears
Gadsden Panthers (August 7th)
Hatch Valley Bears
Hobbs Eagles (June 6th)
La Cueva Bears (August 12th)
Las Cruces Bulldawgs (June 20th)
Manzano Monarchs (August 17th)
Rio Rancho Rams (July 8th)

West Las Vegas Dons

  • Poll
Best/Worst Case Scenario: Manzano Monarchs

How many wins for the Monarchs in 2019?

  • 10

  • 9

  • 8

  • 7

  • 6

  • 5

  • 4

  • 3

  • 2

  • 1/0


Results are only viewable after voting.

MANZANO MONARCHS
Spring Preseason Rank: No. 11
2018 Record: 7-5 overall, 3-1 district
Playoffs: Quarterfinals

BREAKDOWN
Best-case scenario: 4-6 overall.
The Manzano Monarchs enter the 2019 season as a wildcard. They do have some quality pieces to compete and win the "winnable" games; however, do they have enough of those talented pieces to upset some teams ranked above them entering the season? Games that they are favored in: Rio Grande, West Mesa, Albuquerque. They will then have to win a coin flip game against Sandia and 'upset' either Eldorado or Centennial. Sticking true to the feature, wins against teams they are preseason favored against, the best-case scenario has the Monarchs are 4-6.

Worst-Case scenario: 3-7 overall. The margin isn't wide for the Monarchs, their schedule has a nice balance of really good teams and those in the classification cellar. They play five teams ranked in the top seven and play in a district with defending champion La Cueva. Opening with Las Cruces could be a very early tell-all story.

Over/Under: 3.5 wins. Basically, the over/under could come down to the district game with Sandia. That game could also earn the Monarchs a bid to the playoffs. We're taking the over today but that Sandia game may change our minds but we have time to re-evaluate our prediction (4-6) in October.

Prediction: 4-6 Overall.

SCHEDULE
8.23 vs Las Cruces
8.30 vs Rio Grande
9.7 at Centennial
9.13 at Volcano Vista
9.19 vs West Mesa
10.4 vs La Cueva
10.11 at Clovis
10.17 at Sandia
10.24 at Eldorado
11.2 vs Albuquerque

Related
Albuquerque Bulldogs (July 22nd)
Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (July 25th)
Belen Eagles (July 13th)

Capitan Tigers
Carlsbad Cavemen (May 28th)
Centennial Hawks (July 13th)
Cibola Cougars (July 26th)
Cleveland Storm (July 15th)
Clovis Wildcats (May 27th)
Eldorado Eagles (August 6th)
Estancia Bears
Gadsden Panthers (August 7th)
Hatch Valley Bears
Hobbs Eagles (June 6th)
La Cueva Bears (August 12th)
Las Cruces Bulldawgs (June 20th)
Rio Rancho Rams (July 8th)

West Las Vegas Dons

5A Football: 3 Breakout Players in 2019

5A Football: Breakout Players in 2019

Each season a player will jump out for a breakout season. Last season you could consider Rivals New Mexico Mr. Football winner Cade Manzanares that guy. We knew he was going to be one of the best but he was a household name in the New Mexico high school football circle after continued success each week.

Today, we look as some possible candidates that could either win player of the week honors or over up in the player rankings (NMPreps 200).

Ceazer Chavez (2020), RB | Deming High School

Chavez already jumped out this summer with a great showing at the combine. Athletic and if he rushed for 1300 yards last season, I'd take the over for 1,500 yards this season. The Wildcats have a shot at making the semifinals this season and Chavez will be the reason. He is surrounded by some nice pieces too, so I wouldn't forget about the Wildcats.

Tyler Kiehne (2021), DE | Los Lunas High School

Kiehne hit the scene this summer and after earning an offer from UNM in the spring people took notice. Kiehne, displayed his skills at the combine this summer and two years of Kiehne has Los Lunas faithful smiling. There are plenty of pieces around Kiehne and that defensive line could be dangerous. He spent the summer around the country attending big time camps. He will become another prospect with several big time offers.

Guillermo Maldonado (2020), LB | Santa Teresa High School

Maybe the least known of the players mentioned today. He totaled for 59 tackles and 7 sacks last season. He is part of a monster duo between him and Flores for the Desert Warriors. They had one of their most successful campaigns in 2018, and projected to take a dip, these two change the focus to the defense and looking to prove doubters wrong.

  • Poll
UNM over/under


Most sports books now have the over/under line for Lobo football wins this season at 4.5.

On paper, UNM's more winnable games are front-loaded on the schedule, with five of the first six games being Sam Houston St., NMSU, @Liberty, @San Jose St., and Colorado St. (@Notre Dame is in there also).

The last six: @Wyoming, Hawaii, @Nevada, Air Force, @Boise St., Utah St.
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