Thursday Night Recap-ish

Pojoaque Valley (11-0) at Hope Christian (2-6)
Wow. I knew it would be a game, I just didn't expect it to be THIS kind of game. Look, Hope came in and threw their best punch at Pojoaque and Pojoaque was reeling. Hope, behind the mix-and-match threats of Hayley Valencia and Savannah Lewis let it be know they were out for the number one spot tonight by taking a 13-point lead after one quarter.

I haven't seen Pojoaque have to play from behind all season, at least not this kind of deficit but if you're down that early there's plenty of game left and they didn't panic. Hope made a number of errors too that allowed the Elkettes to get back into the game and by halftime Pojoaque was down only three.

A huge 16 to 9 point third quarter gave Pojoaque Valley a lead they could finally work with. Coach Martinez did an outstanding job changing up his defensive scheme when he needed to slow down Hope. Still, Hope Christian's bigs dominated the offensive board as numerous times Pojoaque failed to corral the ball and allowed Hope to score or get fouled and get to the free throw line. Hope was miserable from the free throw line though and despite a final possession out of a timeout for a win in regulation, they didn't get a shot off.

Overtime was wild.

Here was the final minute of overtime:
-Go-ahead three from Ashten Martinez (who was clapping furiously to get the ball passed to her on that shot) to put Pojoaque up one (60-59)
-Pojoaque couldn't grab a defensive board and allowed what was four shot attempts (but felt like ten) by the time Hope's Calicia Perea was fouled on a putback, sending her to the line.
-Perea splits free throws (60-60)
-Hope has four team fouls with two to give in a tie game. They use them both and leave 10.5 left for Pojoaque to work with.
-Taylor Roybal, the leading scorer of the night and playing with four fouls, decides to attack the hoop and draws a risky shooting foul on Hayley Valencia to get to the free throw line.
-Roybal makes both with 6.5 left to play. (62-60)
-Hope goes the length of the court and finds Morgan Trout about four feet off the right wing and she launches a potential game-winning rainbow over two defenders and everyone in the gym go absolutely silent while it's in the air.
-Trout's shot rattles around the rim, hits backboard, and rolls off.

On the real:

It was a game that showed a few glaring weaknesses from both teams. But two things stood out:
1. Hope is better than their record.
2. Pojoaque is not perfect, but they'll find ways to win.

Players Who Impressed Me

Pojoaque Valley's Taylor Roybal: The senior did wonders for the team tonight. With Ashten Martinez struggling to get going offensively, she attacked the hoop and used her three-point shot to keep the Elkettes in the game. Not to mention she did hit the go-ahead free throws to put her team up even after the Hope timeout to make it a two-point lead.

Hope Christian's Hayley Valencia and Savannah Lewis: Hayley built so much stronger than her sister and it gives her the advantage like tonight when she can handle the ball and attack the Pojoaque frontcourt and offensive boards. Both her and Lewis went to work tonight and were most effective when they were both in the game. Lewis wowed me with a long three ball too during Hope's early game rally. When those two play well it opens up a lot for everyone else like it did in the first quarter.

It's another short week with no hoops action Monday through Wednesday. Tournament action kicks off again at Sandia Prep, Pojoaque (NRG), and Aztec. There's also a number intriguing road games scheduled across the state to kick off the new year.

Sandia Prep's Sundevil Invitational

2:00 PM - #2 Hatch Valley vs. #5 St. Michael's
3:45 PM - #6 St. Pius X vs. Moriarty
5:15 PM - #1 Robertson vs. Academy
7:00 PM - Sandia Prep vs. #11 Silver

Another great field of teams across 3A and 4A. Best matchup is #2 Hatch Valley vs. #5 St. Michael's. Hatch Valley is riding a lot of momentum heading into this tournament at 10-1. St. Michael's (5-5) is coming off an extended layover after cancelling the semifinal and championship rounds at their own tournament due to weather.

Aztec's Rumble In The Jungle

9:00 AM - Grants vs. Durango (CO)
12:00 PM - Newcomb vs. St. Michael Indian School (AZ)
3:00 PM - #7 Navajo Prep vs. Montrose (CO)
6:00 PM - Aztec vs. Crownpoint

A diverse field of out-of-state and New Mexico teams make their way to the northwest corner of the state. The two toughest teams heading in are actually from out of state, undefeated Montrose and back-to-back defending Arizona state champion, St. Michael Indian School. But Navajo Prep and Grants are primed to make a run at the tournament final. Both will need to get by their loaded ends of the bracket.

Northern Rio Grande Tournament (hosted by Pojoaque Valley)

9:00 AM - #11 Dulce vs. McCurdy
12:00 PM - #12 Mora vs. Questa
3:00 PM - #5 Pecos vs. Mesa Vista
6:00 PM - #1 Penasco vs. Escalante

A great, loaded tournament featuring all 2A teams should make for an interesting regional classic. Penasco heads in the obvious favorite, but don't fall asleep on Pecos or Mora. Two quality teams in the area that might shake things up should they make the finals.

Outside Tournament Action

Laguna-Acoma vs. #9 CCP @ SFIS Lady Braves Invite
Cottonwood Classical Prep (5-2) will get their first quality test against Laguna-Acoma (2-4) and their go-to playmaker in Jasmine Kie.

#11 Tohatchi at Bloomfield
Bloomfield (2-3) has only played five games so far this season, but they'll play this rescheduled game from last week to warm up their January run. Hallie Payne will lead the Lady Bobcats against the ranked Tohatchi Lady Cougars (5-6).

#5 Quemado at #4 Pine Hill
I really enjoy the smaller schools that get out on the road and play true road games. This is a key matchup for both teams looking to gain an head-to-head advantage come March for seeding and selection. Pine Hill (11-2) is off to one of their best starts in program history, while Quemado (7-2) has some strong wins against tough teams.

#8 Des Moines at #6 Melrose
Another great true road game in Class A. Des Moines (8-4) will look to lone senior Angie Lopez and junior Grace Hall to lead a very young Demons squad..The Lady Buffs' (5-3) Nateley Mondragon and Shannon May will look to make it three wins in a row.

#1 Pojoaque Valley at #12 Hope Christian - GAME OF THE NIGHT
Pojoaque (10-0) look to avenge last season's loss at Hope (2-5) and continue their undefeated campaign. The Elkettes' Ashten Martinez will likely be heavily guarded by Hope Christian's Hayley Valencia or Savannga Lewis. That may leave the likes of Pojoaque's Taylor Roybal and Michaela Martinez to have to lead the way against Hope's Calicia Perea and Morgan Trout.

Don't Forget the Santa Fe Invasion...

• Santa Fe (5-7) at Cleveland (8-2)
• Capital (4-4) at Rio Rancho (7-3)

How do you rank them?
Rio Rancho
Las Cruces
Roswell
Artesia
Hobbs
Los Lunas
Belen
Albuquerque
Eunice
Lovington
Clovis
Any town....

What games are you excited about watching this year?


2018 College Bowl CHALLENGE - 1 POINT PER WIN (PICK THE WINNERS)

Saturday, Dec. 15

Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
North Carolina A&T vs. Alcorn State

New Mexico Bowl
North Texas vs. Utah State

AutoNation Cure Bowl
Tulane vs. Louisiana

Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
Fresno State vs. Arizona State

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Georgia Southern vs. Eastern Michigan

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State

Tuesday, Dec. 18


Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
UAB vs. Northern Illinois

Wednesday, Dec. 19


DXL Frisco Bowl
San Diego State vs. Ohio

Tursday, Dec. 20


Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Marshall vs. South Florida


Friday, Dec. 21


Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU vs. Toledo

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Western Michigan vs. BYU





Saturday, Dec. 22

Jared Birmingham Bowl
Memphis vs. Wake Forest

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Army


Dollar General Bowl
Buffalo vs. Troy

SoFi Hawai'i Bowl
Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii

Wednesday, Dec. 26

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Boston College vs. Boise State

Quick Lane Bowl
Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech

Cheez-It Bowl
California vs. TCU


Thursday, Dec. 27

Walk-On's Independence Bowl
Temple vs. Duke

New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Miami vs. Wisconsin

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Baylor vs. Vanderbilt


Friday, Dec. 28

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Purdue vs. Auburn


Camping World Bowl
West Virginia vs. Syracuse

Valero Alamo Bowl
Iowa State vs. Washington State


Saturday, Dec. 29

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 10 Florida vs. No. 7 Michigan


Belk Bowl
South Carolina vs. Virginia


NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Arkansas State vs. Nevada

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oklahoma

Monday, Dec. 31

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Stanford vs. Pittsburgh

Redbox Bowl
Michigan State vs. Oregon

.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Missouri vs. Oklahoma State

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
Northwestern vs. Utah

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
NC State vs. Texas A&M

Tuesday, Jan. 1

Outback Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Iowa

VRBO Citrus Bowl
Kentucky vs. Penn State

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
No. 11 LSU vs. No. 8 UCF

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual
No. 9 Washington vs. No. 6 Ohio State

Allstate Sugar Bowl
No. 15 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia

2018 College Bowl CHALLENGE - 1 POINT PER WIN (WINNERS)

Saturday, Dec. 15
Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl
North Carolina A&T 24 vs. Alcorn State 22
New Mexico Bowl
North Texas 13 vs. Utah State 52
AutoNation Cure Bowl
Tulane 41 vs. Louisiana 24
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
Fresno State 31 vs. Arizona State 20
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Georgia Southern 23 vs. Eastern Michigan 21
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Middle Tennessee 13 vs. Appalachian State 45

Tuesday, Dec. 18
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
UAB 37 vs. Northern Illinois 0

Wednesday, Dec. 19
DXL Frisco Bowl
San Diego State 0 vs. Ohio 27
Thursday, Dec. 20
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Marshall 38 vs. South Florida 20

Friday, Dec. 21
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU 35 vs. Toledo 32
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Western Michigan 18 vs. BYU 49

Saturday, Dec. 22
Jared Birmingham Bowl
Memphis 34 vs. Wake Forest 37
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Houston 14 vs. Army 70
Dollar General Bowl
Buffalo 32 vs. Troy 42
SoFi Hawai'i Bowl
Louisiana Tech 31 vs. Hawaii 14

Wednesday, Dec. 26
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Boston College vs. Boise State cancelled
Quick Lane Bowl
Minnesota 34 vs. Georgia Tech 10
Cheez-It Bowl
California 7 vs. TCU 10

Thursday, Dec. 27
Walk-On's Independence Bowl
Temple 27 vs. Duke 56
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Miami 3 vs. Wisconsin 35
Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Baylor 45 vs. Vanderbilt 38

Friday, Dec. 28
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Purdue 14 vs. Auburn 63
Camping World Bowl
West Virginia 18 vs. Syracuse34
Valero Alamo Bowl
Iowa State 26 vs. Washington State 28

Saturday, Dec. 29
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
No. 10 Florida 41 vs. No. 7 Michigan 15
Belk Bowl
South Carolina 0 vs. Virginia 28
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Arkansas State 13 vs. Nevada 16

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 2 Clemson 30 vs. No. 3 Notre Dame 3

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 1 Alabama 45 vs. No. 4 Oklahoma 34

Monday, Dec. 31
Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman
Cincinnati 35 vs. Virginia Tech 31
Hyundai Sun Bowl
Stanford 14 vs. Pittsburgh 13
Redbox Bowl
Michigan State 6 vs. Oregon 7
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Missouri 33 vs. Oklahoma State 38
San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl
Northwestern 31 vs. Utah 20
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
NC State 13 vs. Texas A&M 52

Tuesday, Jan. 1
Outback Bowl
Mississippi State 22 vs. Iowa 27
VRBO Citrus Bowl
Kentucky 27 vs. Penn State 24
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
No. 11 LSU 40 vs. No. 8 UCF 32
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual
No. 9 Washington 23 vs. No. 6 Ohio State 28
Allstate Sugar Bowl
No. 15 Texas 28 vs. No. 5 Georgia 21

NMpreps.com's Top 30 rankings take a look at the teams throughout all classes.

1. West Mesa 9-0
2. Hobbs 12-1
3. La Cueva 7-0
4. Pojoaque Valley 10-0
5. Carlsbad 8-2
6. Robertson 10-1
7. Los Lunas 8-3
8. Sandia 6-1
9. Mayfield 9-4
10. Cleveland 8-2
11. Rio Rancho 7-3
12. Centennial 7-5
13. Piedra Vista 11-2
14. Kirtland Central 9-3
15. Volcano Vista 7-2
16. Miyamura 8-4
17. Highland 5-3
18. Onate 7-6
19. Farmington 10-2
20. Alamogordo 8-2
21. St. Pius 5-1
22. Gallup 7-3
23. Texico 9-3
24. Deming 10-1
25. Portales 5-5
26. Espanola Valley 6-5
27. Hatch Valley 10-1
28. Goddard 8-4
29. Penasco 7-2
30. Santa Fe Indian 8-2

Top Ten Games This Week (6)

How would you rank each team in your district?

Post here your thoughts and reactions here

CFB: Who Wins - Alabama vs Oklahoma

6:00PM - ESPN

What do you give each team at this point?

NMPreps.com's look at the potential match-ups for the 2019 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament.

4A Basketball: Way Too Early PIT Stop

NMPreps.com's look at the potential match-ups for the 2019 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-4A
Kirtland Central (9-3)
Miyamura (8-4)
Gallup (7-3)
Bloomfield (2-3)
Shiprock (4-8)
Aztec (3-8)

District 2-4A
Pojoaque Valley (10-0)
Espanola Valley (6-5)
Los Alamos (4-7)
Moriarty (5-5)
Taos (1-7)

District 3-4A
Silver (7-3)
Santa Teresa (1-8)
Ruidoso (1-9)
Chaparral (1-8)

District 4-4A
Goddard (8-4)
Portales (5-6)
Artesia (6-4)
Lovington (4-6)

District 5-4A
Los Lunas (8-3)
St. Pius (5-1)
Belen (6-4)
Grants (4-8)
Valencia

District 6-4A
Highland (5-3)
Hope Christian (2-5)
Bernalillo (8-5)
Valley (5-2)
Del Norte (1-7)
Academy (3-5)


STATE TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS

HOST A FIRST ROUND GAME
1. Los Lunas - District Champ
2. Pojoaque Valley - District Champ
3. Kirtland Central - District Champ
4. Miyamura - DRUP
5. Highland - District Champ
6. Gallup - D3P
7. St. Pius - DRUP
8. Goddard - District Champ

NEXT FOUR
9. Portales - DRUP
10. Silver - District Champ
11. Belen - D3P
12. Hope Christian - DRUP

BUBBLE
13. Espanola Valley - DRUP
14. Bernalillo - D3P
15. Artesia - D3P
16. Los Alamos - D3P

FIRST FOUR OUT
17. Grants
18. Valley
19. Bloomfield
20. Shiprock

Please post top performances from this week here.

NMPreps.com's look at the potential match-ups for the 2019 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament.

NMPreps.com's look at the potential match-ups for the 2019 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament.

5A Basketball: Way Too Early PIT Stop

NMPreps.com's look at the potential match-ups for the 2019 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-5A
Cleveland (8-2)
Rio Rancho (7-3)
Volcano Vista (7-2)
Cibola (3-6)
Atrisco Heritage (2-4)

District 2-5A
West Mesa (9-0)
La Cueva (7-0)
Piedra Vista (11-2)
Farmington (10-2)
Eldorado (2-5)

District 3-5A
Mayfield (9-4)
Centennial (7-5)
Alamogordo (8-2)
Onate (7-6)
Las Cruces (6-7)
Deming (10-1)
Gadsden (1-8)

District 4-5A
Hobbs (12-1)
Carlsbad (8-2)
Clovis (4-8)
Roswell (2-7)

District 5-5A
Sandia (6-1)
Capital (4-4)
Albuquerque (1-6)
Santa Fe (5-7)
Manzano (2-5)
Rio Grande (0-7)

STATE TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS

HOST A FIRST ROUND GAME
1. West Mesa - District Champ
2. Hobbs - District Champ
3. La Cueva - DRUP
4. Mayfield -District Champ
5. Cleveland - District Champ
6. Rio Rancho - DRUP
7. Piedra Vista - D3P
8. Carlsbad - DRUP

NEXT FOUR
9. Sandia - District Champ
10. Centennial - DRUP
11. Volcano Vista - D3P
12. Farmington - D4P

BUBBLE
13. Alamogordo - D3P
14. Onate - D4P
15. Cibola - D4P
16. Las Cruces - D5P

FIRST FOUR OUT
17. Deming - D6P
18. Eldorado - D5P
19. Clovis - D3P
20. Capital - DRUP

Best New Years Resolution

Coach of the Year: Brandon Back, La Cueva
Offensive Player of the Year: Dorian Lewis, Cleveland
First Team Offense
QB Lance Frost Centennial
RB Dorian Lewis Cleveland
RB Chase Chaloupek Las Cruces
WR Robbie Jaramillo Valencia
WR Garrett Ortega Aztec
TE Alexes Aguilar Belen
OL Stephen Acosta Clovis
OL Jed Edgar Manzano
OL D J McDowell La Cueva
OL Taylor Miterko Carlsbad
OL Felipe Monlina Centennial
Second Team Offense
QB Mason Caperton Eunice
RB Diego Casillas Belen
RB D'Andre Williams La Cueva
WR Gabriel Dorame Ruidoso
WR Prince "Nas" Robertson La Cueva
TE Brent Rigtrup Centennial
OL Connor Burton Cleveland
OL Wyatt Hotter Carlsbad
OL Matthew Martinez Roswell
OL Ben Pavek Hope Christian
OL Andre Romero Cleveland

Defensive Player of the Year Blaine Smith La Cueva
First Team
DL Juan Chairez Hatch Valley
DL Darian Fernandez Artesia
DL Aidan LeBlanc Taos
DL Kendrick Milford La Cueva
LB Fred Mady III La Cueva
LB Colin Flood Artesia
LB Dion Hunter Cleveland
DB Will Childers Hobbs
DB Ivan Molina Las Cruces
DB Montez Wright Clovis
DB Blaine Smith La Cueva
Second Team
DL Keith Alvarado Eldorado
DL Romeo Gbassagee Portales
DL Nathaniel Lucero Silver
DL Jordan Marquez Dexter
LB Angelo Atencio Bloomfield
LB Lawrence Bussey La Cueva
LB Cade Manzanares Roswell
DB AJ Parra Mayfield
DB Braedin Ross Cleveland
DB Cameron Santa Cruz Eunice
DB Chris Thomas Cleveland
Special Teams
K Vince Quezada Hope Christian

Congrats Guys!
Apologies in advance for misspellings or omitting!