FIRST ROUND TOP PERFORMERS

Anthony Chavez - Valley - 35 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists vs Hobbs.

Brenden Boatwright - Carlsbad - 28 points vs Atrisco.

Bryson Dowdy - Kirtland Central - 27 pts, 10 rebs and 2 steals vs Artesia.

Cameron Dixon - Cibola - 25 points vs Albuquerque.

Mario Archuleta - Pecos - 24 points vs Tucumcari.

Donovan Artalejo - Jal - 24 points in win over Questa.

Jacob Esquivel - Lordsburg - 24 pts against Gateway Christian.

Jorell Phillips - Volcano Vista - 23 points vs Rio Rancho.

Clay Patterson - Rio Rancho - 23 points vs Volcano Vista.

Tristan Moore - Silver - 23 points vs Navajo Prep.

Josh Harrison - Onate - 22 points vs Sandia.

Jorrell Mirabal - Magdalena - 22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists.

Nick Trujillo - Belen - 21 points vs Lovington.

Bryce McAlister - Artesia - 19 points vs Kirtland Central.

Richie Chavez - Magdalena - 19 points in the first round.

Joziah Ramos - Atrisco Heritage Academy - 18 points vs Carlsbad.

AJ Garcia - Los Lunas - 18 points and 10 rebounds vs Grants.

Diego Ortega - Atrisco Heritage Academy - 17 points vs Carlsbad.

Desmond Carpenter - Cibola - 17 points vs Albuquerque.

Jayden Phillips - Cleveland - 16 points vs La Cueva.

Jolante Grey - Volcano Vista - 15 points vs Rio Rancho.

Hunter Wisneski - Los Lunas - 15 points vs Grants.

Garrett Gallegos - Belen - 14 points vs Lovington.

Jeremy Anaya - Capital - 14 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds along with 5 steals.

Gabe Chavira - Belen - 12 points vs Lovington.

Wellington Balsley - Alamogordo - 12 points vs St. Pius X.

Matthew Padilla - Belen - 10 points vs Lovington.

Antonio Zamora - Onate - 8 points, 7 assists and 3 steals.

Text in top performers to 505-414-4313

Chantz Atcitty - If you haven't had the chance to check out the girls board yet do so. Chantz has done a tremendous job covering the girls this season.

Anthony Johnson - Johnson will be joining us this week on NMPreps.com to provide more content and coverage. He brings plenty of experience. Please welcome him to the board.

who are some new players to varsity rosters for 2017? Any stud freshmen or top JV players

Which District Will Be the Toughest to win in 2017

2017 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament

BRACKETS
Elite Eight - March 8th - Boys
6A Basketball - The PIT (WisePies Arena)

#1 Onate vs #8 Atrisco Heritage Academy, 1:15pm

#2 Las Cruces vs #7 Hobbs, 4:45pm

#3 Cleveland vs #6 Cibola, 8:15pm

#4 Eldorado vs #12 Volcano Vista, 9:45am

5A Basketball - The PIT (WisePies Arena)

#1 Roswell vs #9 Kirtland Central, 11:30am

#2 Capital vs #7 Alamogordo, 8:00am

#3 Farmington vs #6 Los Lunas, 3pm

#4 Belen vs #13 Del Norte, 6:30pm

4A Basketball - Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho)

#1 Hope Christian vs #8 Bernalillo, 1:15pm

#2 Portales vs #7 St. Michael's, 4:45pm

#3 Silver vs #11 Moriarty, 9:45am

#4 Robertson vs #5 West Las Vegas, 8:15pm

3A Basketball - Rio Rancho and Cleveland High School

#1 Pecos vs #8 Eunice, 7pm (at Rio Rancho HS)

#2 Texico vs #7 Estancia, 5pm (at Cleveland HS)

#3 Santa Rosa vs #11 Clayton, 7pm (at Cleveland HS)

#4 Dulce vs #5 Cuba, 5pm (at Rio Rancho HS)

2A Basketball - Santa Ana Star Center (Rio Rancho)

#1 Magdalena vs #8 Escalante, 3pm

#2 Lordsburg vs #7 Jal, 11:30am

#3 Mora vs #6 Menaul, 6:30pm

#4 Fort Sumner vs #5 Mesilla Valley, 8am

1A Basketball - Bernalillo High School

#1 Quemado vs #9 San Jon, 1:15pm

#2 Maxwell vs #10 Floyd, 9:45am

#3 Melrose vs #6 Vaughn, 8:15pm

#4 Hondo Valley vs #5 Springer, 4:45pm

FIRST ROUND - MARCH 4th
6A BASKETBALL

#1 Onate 52, #16. Sandia 40
#2 Las Cruces 88, #15. Clovis 55
#3. Cleveland 92, #14. La Cueva 48
#4. Eldorado 54, #13 Santa Fe 44
#6 Cibola 56, #11. Albuquerque 43
#7. Hobbs 95, #10. Valley 68
#8. Atrisco Heritage Academy 62, #9 Carlsbad 48
#12 Volcano Vista 77, #5 Rio Rancho 74 OT

5A BASKETBALL
#1. Roswell 71, #16. Bloomfield 66
#2. Capital 54, #15. Gallup 38
#3. Farmington 53, #14 Los Alamos 40
#5. Belen 67, #12. Lovington 59
#6. Los Lunas 50, #11. Grants 45
#7. Alamogordo 60, #10. St. Pius X 50
#9 Kirtland Central 75, #8 Artesia 72
#13 Del Norte 60, #4 Espanola Valley 56

4A BASKETBALL
#1. Hope Christian 71, #16. Hatch Valley 25
#2. Portales 74, #15. Shiprock 57
#3. Silver 52, #14. Navajo Prep 38
#4. Robertson 81, #13 Sandia Prep 56
#5. West Las Vegas 82, #12. Ruidoso 50
#7. St. Michael's 59, #10. Wingate 48
#8. Bernalillo 51, #9. Socorro 33
#11 Moriarty 66, #6 Pojoaque Valley 32

3A BASKETBALL
#1. Pecos 72, #16. Tucumcari 46
#2. Texico 74, #15. Tohatchi 32
#3. Santa Rosa 77, #14. McCurdy 41
4. Dulce vs 13. Desert Academy
#5. Cuba 65, #12 Laguna-Acoma 64
#7. Estancia 57, #10. Tularosa 46
#8. Eunice 51, #9. Dexter 41
#11 Clayton 65, #6 Newcomb 48

2A BASKETBALL
#1. Magdalena 74, #16. Cliff 39
#2. Lordsburg 57, #15 Gateway Christian 39
#3. Mora 103, #14. Navajo Pine 68
#4. Fort Sumner 54, #13 Hagerman 42
#5. Mesilla 54, #12. Alamo Navajo 42
#6. Menaul 70, #11 To'hajiilee 51
#7. Jal 66, #10. Questa 56
#8. Escalante 63, #9 Dora 51

1A BASKETBALL
#1. Quemado 92, #16. Walatowa Charter 48
#2. Maxwell 86, #15. Animas 48
#3. Melrose 71, #14. Cimarron 42
#4. Hondo Valley 67, #13. Carrizozo 40
#5. Springer 83, #12 Grady 48
#6. Vaughn 64, #11 Reserve 54
#9 San Jon 68, #8 Coronado 60
#10 Floyd 45, #7 Evangel Christian 31

NMPNation: 2017 Bracket Challenge

FEATURES
Previewing all 96 Teams
6A Teams
5A Teams
4A Teams
3A Teams
2A Teams
1A Teams
Grine: First Round Predictions (6A-4A)
Grine: Rankings the Games To Watch
Grine: First Thoughts on the 6A Bracket

6A BASKETBALL

#1 Onate 52, #16. Sandia 40

#2 Las Cruces 88, #15. Clovis 55

#3. Cleveland 92, #14. La Cueva 48

#4. Eldorado 54, #13 Santa Fe 44

#6 Cibola 56, #11. Albuquerque 43

#7. Hobbs 95, #10. Valley 68

#8. Atrisco Heritage Academy 62, #9 Carlsbad 48

#12 Volcano Vista 77, #5 Rio Rancho 74 OT

5A BASKETBALL

#1. Roswell 71, #16. Bloomfield 66

#2. Capital 54, #15. Gallup 38

#3. Farmington 53, #14 Los Alamos 40

#5. Belen 67, #12. Lovington 59

#6. Los Lunas 50, #11. Grants 45

#7. Alamogordo 60, #10. St. Pius X 50

#9 Kirtland Central 75, #8 Artesia 72

#13 Del Norte 60, #4 Espanola Valley 56

4A BASKETBALL

#1. Hope Christian 71, #16. Hatch Valley 25

#2. Portales 74, #15. Shiprock 57

#3. Silver 52, #14. Navajo Prep 38

#4. Robertson 81, #13 Sandia Prep 56

#5. West Las Vegas 82, #12. Ruidoso 50

#7. St. Michael's 59, #10. Wingate 48

#8. Bernalillo 51, #9. Socorro 33

#11 Moriarty 66, #6 Pojoaque Valley 32

3A BASKETBALL

#1. Pecos 72, #16. Tucumcari 46

#2. Texico 74, #15. Tohatchi 32

#3. Santa Rosa 77, #14. McCurdy 41

4. Dulce vs 13. Desert Academy

#5. Cuba 65, #12 Laguna-Acoma 64

#7. Estancia 57, #10. Tularosa 46

#8. Eunice 51, #9. Dexter 41

#11 Clayton 65, #6 Newcomb 48

2A BASKETBALL

#1. Magdalena 74, #16. Cliff 39

#2. Lordsburg 57, #15 Gateway Christian 39

#3. Mora 103, #14. Navajo Pine 68

#4. Fort Sumner 54, #13 Hagerman 42

#5. Mesilla 54, #12. Alamo Navajo 42

#6. Menaul 70, #11 To'hajiilee 51

#7. Jal 66, #10. Questa 56

#8. Escalante 63, #9 Dora 51

1A BASKETBALL

#1. Quemado 92, #16. Walatowa Charter 48

#2. Maxwell 86, #15. Animas 48

#3. Melrose 71, #14. Cimarron 42

#4. Hondo Valley 67, #13. Carrizozo 40

#5. Springer 83, #12 Grady 48

#6. Vaughn 64, #11 Reserve 54

#9 San Jon 68, #8 Coronado 60

#10 Floyd 45, #7 Evangel Christian 31

Grade the Brackets

What do you got?

What game today?

Predict each game. Entire bracket only - First Round to the Champions

Thoughts on any of the results? Players? Matchups looking forward?


My Questions Looking Ahead

Class 6A - Matchup Mismatches?

1. Is West Mesa's youth showing? Onate kept the game tight. Should Eldorado be feeling good heading into this rematch?

2. Who has the more favorable matchup against the other? Sandia or Carlsbad?
In the Battle of the "LCs" who do you have coming out on top?

Class 5A - Repeat Offenders

1. Is it a safe bet a team from District 4-5A is going to be in the championship game?

2. KC-Los Lunas and EV-Gallup are rematches played on a neutral court. Will the results be similar? Espanola Valley won by 8. Los Lunas won by 6. Both were wins at home.

Class 4A - Rivalries Rekindled

1. How many points does Sandia Prep's Madie Trainor have to drop to beat Hope Christian?

2. Portales v. Moriarty IV. Portales leads 2-1 in the season head-to-head. Who comes out on top?

3. East versus West (Robertson vs. WLV). Rank which of these means the most: A district title, district tourney title, or knocking your rival out of the state tournament.

Where is everyone tonight? I'll be in the metro area providing updates on a game. Don't know which 6A game to go to though.

6A GIRLS BASKETBALL

#1 Hobbs def. #16 Santa Fe, 73-27

#2 Carlsbad def. #15 Atrisco Heritage, 53-30

#3 West Mesa def. #14 Onate, 58-55

#4 Las Cruces def. #13 Highland, 55-27

#5 La Cueva def. #12 Centennial, 51-33

#6 Eldorado def. #11 Mayfield, 40-36

#7 Sandia def. #10 Cibola, 36-28

#8 Volcano Vista def. #9 Rio Rancho, 45-40


5A GIRLS BASKETBALL

#1 Roswell def. #16 Alamogordo, 52-34

#2 Los Lunas def. #15 Grants, 78-50

#3 Espanola Valley def. #14 Aztec, 35-30

#4 Albuquerque Academy def. #13 Farmington, 39-35

#5 Goddard def. #12 Artesia, 77-40

#11 Gallup def. #6 St. Pius X, 54-44

#7 Kirtland Central def. #10 Del Norte, 51-42

#9 Lovington def. #8 Bloomfield, 50-49


4A GIRLS BASKETBALL


#1 Hope Christian def. #16 Taos, 53-27

#2 Shiprock def. #15 Santa Fe Indian, 64-38

#3 Robertson def. #14 St. Michael's, 51-34

#4 Portales def. #13 Pojoaque Valley, 75-37

#5 Moriarty def. #12 Hatch Valley, 49-41

#6 West Las Vegas def. #11 Socorro, 65-43

#10 Navajo Prep def. #7 Silver, 59-44

#8 Sandia Prep def. #9 Wingate, 85-68


3A GIRLS BASKETBALL

#1 Eunice def. #16 Clayton, 57-35

#2 Texico def. #15 Raton, 59-14

#3 Tohatchi def. #14 Dexter, 67-48

#4 Tularosa def. #13 Santa Rosa, 57-54

#5 Laguna-Acoma def. #12 McCurdy, 67-47

#6 Tucumcari def. #11 Newcomb, 73-40

#10 Loving def. #7 Pecos, 65-48

#9 Dulce def. #8 Cuba, 55-50


2A GIRLS BASKETBALL

#1 Tatum def. #16 Mesa Vista, 78-41

#2 Logan def. #15 Jal, 59-35

#3 Lordsburg def. #14 Cliff, 43-40

#4 Mescalero Apache def. #13 Pine Hill, 62-37

#5 Fort Sumner/House def. #12 Dora, 61-46

#6 Escalante def. #11 Penasco, 62-50

#7 Navajo Pine def. #10 Magdalena, 60-58

#9 Mora def. #8 Ramah, 52-36


1A GIRLS BASKETBALL


#1 Elida def. #16 Carrizozo, 61-25

#2 Melrose def. #15 Reserve, 55-13

#3 Roy/Mosquero def. #14 Floyd, 67-46

#4 Hondo Valley def. #13 Springer, 39-36

#5 Animas def. #12 Des Moines, 39-27

#6 Coronado def. #11 Vaughn, 48-34

#7 Walatowa Charter def. #10 Quemado, 62-60

#8 Grady def. #9 Cimarron, 55-35

Always a welcome sight when the playoffs roll around and NMAA sets the ticket prices. $5 for my seat at Tasker Arena for the boys game is a steal. My season tickets come out to $7 per game. Gonna feel like I'm watching for free. haha

Favorite place to sit at The Pit?

Why do you enjoy the state tournament?

We began discussing this a little bit on another post earlier today. My question is asking if the old district 4-3AAA is the best overall football district of all time? From 1974 to 1999 (before NM went to 5 classes), this district won the state championship every year with the exception of 3 years (Socorro-77,Ruidoso-85,St. Pius-99). Two of the district members met in the championship game 5 times and a district member was in the championship game every year except for 1977.

6A BASKETBALL

#1 Hobbs vs. #16 Santa Fe – Hobbs runs a young Santa Fe team out of the gym. Hobbs wins big, 35+.

#2 Carlsbad vs. #15 Atrisco Heritage – These two teams met before with Carlsbad dominating. This sequel won’t be much different. C-Bad with the 20+ point win.

#3 West Mesa vs. #14 Onate – You know I like Onate after that win against Mayfield. Problem is this West Mesa has been so solid and steady, I don’t know if Onate has enough defenders to contain everyone. West Mesa with the 15+ win.

#4 Las Cruces vs. #13 Highland – I like this matchup with Las Cruces team hosting an athletic Highland team that could cause trouble on the glass. I think Las Cruces does just enough to get by though. Las Cruces with the win by 15+.

#5 La Cueva vs. #12 Centennial – Oh my. This game could get interesting. I’ve been a fan of Centennial especially with their never-quit senior core. The Lady Hawks played well enough the last time they came up to the metro area, but I think they fall just short against a good La Cueva team. La Cueva by 8+

#6 Eldorado vs. #11 Mayfield – The matchups get more interesting the higher you go. Both teams don’t have a ton of talent coming off the bench, but their starters could make for a great game. I think Mayfield makes it game, but the likes of Eldorado steal this game late. Eldorado with the win by 4

#7 Sandia vs. #10 Cibola – Here was my “don’t-be-surprised” Sandia pick here, but I think this Cibola team is too well tested and experienced to allow Sandia to steal their shine. Cibola with the win by 6.

#8 Rio Rancho vs. #9 Volcano Vista – Everyone hates a rematch of a district matchup. But here we are and I think Rio Rancho again gets the best of a determined but short-handed Volcano Vista squad. Rio Rancho by 5.


5A BASKETBALL

#1 Roswell vs. #16 Alamogordo – Roswell. Roswell. Roswell. By a lot.

#2 Los Lunas vs. #15 Grants – I think Grants has given the Lady Tigers a few games, but again, this Los Lunas squad does more of the same from district. I got Los Lunas by 18+

#3 Espanola Valley vs. #14 Aztec – Senior standout Alexis Lovato versus a rising talent in Reigan Weaver? That’s matchup I’ll have to go with experience and home-court advantage. EV by 11+

#4 Albuquerque Academy vs. #13 Farmington – The Lady Scorps have some talent on that frontline to maybe contain Sophie Long of Academy. But the guard play will get interesting. This might be closer than one would like, but Academy gets the win by 9.

#5 Goddard vs. #12 Artesia – Close for a half. Goddard gets the win by double-digits.

#6 St. Pius X vs. #11 Gallup – The venue may get a little cramped as the Gallup faithful travel very well. But I think the height and physical play of a St. Pius gets them easy buckets. Unless of course Gallup’s shooting woes and tempo become an issue for St. Pius. But I think the defense takes care of business and St. Pius moves on. SPX by 14+

#7 Kirtland Central vs. #10 Del Norte – The last time these two teams faced off in the first round of the state tournament, KC ended up making a run and winning the whole thing. I think this time will be tougher as this Del Norte squad is a tad underrated. I’m putting KC on upset alert as they haven’t defended home court very well. KC by one.

#8 Bloomfield vs. #9 Lovington – First off, that’s quite the road trip. Second, I think Lovington is tough team that could give Bloomfield trouble. But Bloomfield is too determined to bounce back and get a quarterfinal date with #1 Roswell. Bloomfield by 8.


4A BASKETBALL

#1 Hope Christian vs. #16 Taos – Hope Christian by double-digits.

#2 Shiprock vs. #15 Santa Fe Indian – Folks in Shiprock are concerned this is a tougher matchup as they think this is the powerhouse SFIS of year’s past. They’re not quite back to that. Shiprock by double-digits in this semifinal rematch from last year.

#3 Robertson vs. #14 St. Michael’s – The Lady Horsemen found a way to win last time, but I think Robertson get some help from home-court play and win big. Robertson by 16.

#4 Portales vs. #13 Pojoaque Valley – Portales has shown they’re prime for a run at the championship despite their youth. Pojoaque gives them a game early, but Portales pulls away late. Lady Rams by 19+

#5 Moriarty vs. #12 Hatch Valley – This is one of those games where we know one team is definitely underseeded. The matchup between the duos of Alyssa Adams and Emerald Russell against Taylor Mitchell and Nakona Drake will definitely be a game to watch. I think the Lady Bears give Moriarty a game early and late, but Moriarty will make the plays to ensure they move on. Moriarty by 9.

#6 West Las Vegas vs. #11 Socorro – Socorro has grown and shown to play well under Coach Baca. But West Las Vegas has a bit more talent and experience this late in the season. West wins by double digits.

#7 Silver vs. #10 Navajo Prep – Silver has too much height and Navajo Prep has been too much of a Jekyll/Hyde in terms of play. Inconsistencies doom Prep and Silver moves on easy. Silver by double digits.

#8 Sandia Prep vs. #9 Wingate – THIS should be a fun game to watch. I’ve always said Sandia Prep’s Madie Trainor would mesh well against the run-and-gun “rez-ball” style of hoops Wingate can play. I think this may be the next best game to see. First one to 50 wins.

Who are the top 10 NM High School Teams Ever?


Pictured is the 1999 Hobbs Eagle Basketball Team, the last big school program to complete the perfect season

Last few undefeated or 1 loss teams regardless of class

• 2015 Magdalena 31-0
• 2014 Roswell 29-1
• 2013 Cliff 29-1
• 2011 Hagerman 31-0
• 2010 Hope 30-1
• 2010 Mesilla 30-1
• 2008 Cliff 31-0
• 2007 Rio Rancho 30-1

Premium subscribers to NMPreps.com click here to see the complete list

HOOPS: NMPreps.com Top-30 Rankings

Week 15
Dates: February 20th - 25th

Top-30 (All Classes)

1. Hobbs (25-1)
2. Carlsbad (26-2)
3. Hope Christian (24-2)
4. West Mesa (23-1)
5. La Cueva (17-7)
6. Roswell (21-5)
7. Eldorado (19-5)
8. Rio Rancho (15-11)
9. Los Lunas (19-7)
10. Volcano Vista (16-8)
11. Sandia (20-5)
12. Cibola (16-8)
13. Mayfield (15-11)
14. Las Cruces (19-7)
15. Espanola Valley (18-6)
16. Shiprock (21-5)
17. Centennial (14-12)
18. ALBQ Academy (18-6)
19. Goddard (18-8)
20. Bloomfield (17-8)
21. Portales (14-9)
22. Highland (15-9)
23. Moriarty (18-6)
24. Kirtland Central (13-9)
25. St. Pius X (17-7)
26. Robertson (20-5)
27. Gallup (13-13)
28. Onate (9-17)
29. Piedra Vista (12-15)
30. Silver (19-5)


6A Top-10

1. Hobbs
2. Carlsbad
3. West Mesa
4. La Cueva
5. Eldorado
6. Rio Rancho
7. Volcano Vista
8. Sandia
9. Cibola
10. Mayfield

Next Up: Las Cruces, Centennial, Highland, Onate

5A Top-10

1. Roswell
2. Los Lunas
3. Espanola Valley
4. Albuquerque Academy
5. Goddard
6. Bloomfield
7. Kirtland Central
8. St. Pius X
9. Gallup
10. Del Norte

Next Up: Farmington, Lovington, Grants

4A Top-10

1. Hope Christian
2. Shiprock
3. Portales
4. Moriarty
5. Robertson
6. Silver
7. Sandia Prep
8. Hatch Valley
9. West Las Vegas
10. St. Michael's

Next Up: Pojoaque Valley, Socorro, Wingate, Navajo Prep

SMALL SCHOOLS

3A Top-10

1. Eunice
2. Texico
3. Tohatchi
4. Tularosa
5. Loving
6. Tucumcari
7. Laguna-Acoma
8. Pecos
9. Dulce
10. Cuba

2A Top-10

1. Tatum
2. Logan
3. Fort Sumner/House
4. Lordsburg
5. Dora
6. Mescalero Apache
7. Mora
8. Escalante
9. Penasco
10. Navajo Pine

1A Top-5

1. Melrose
2. Elida
3. Hondo Valley
4. Roy/Mosquero
5. Animas

A great example of how sports, and wrestling in particular can help turn some kids around.

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