Stone Romero is headed to Lamar in CO. Had many other offers/interest on the table including four year schools.

5A HOOPS: GRANTS, CAPITAL AND ROSWELL SITTING ON TOP
Joshua J. Grine

The New Mexico High School basketball season has around two months left and to help you welcome in the new year we take a quick look at each classification, we try to clear up some answers and send questions on other teams.

Today, we look at 5A in our WHAT IF....

5A PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Daniel Amador, Roswell High School

Amador is currently in tight race for the award but if the dust settled today (or snow) then he would likely be the frontrunner for the award. Amador has top performances with 45 points and another 31 point night on the season. The Coyotes are currently ranked 3rd in 5A basketball at (7-1).

ALL-NMPreps.com 5A FIRST TEAM

Daniel Amador, Roswell
Matt Vail, Grants
Eric Coca, Capital
Martin Trujillo, Los Lunas
Colton Lowely, Gallup

3-POINTER: THREE THINGS WE’VE LEARNED

1. Top 3 Are Darn Good, Final Four Locks....Yes, it’s too early to lock a team into the Final Four more or less tell them to prepare for the Final Four. No. 1 Grants, No. 2 Capital and No. 3 Roswell are three solid teams though and each could play with anyone.

2. It’s Cloudy After The Top 3 But We Like..... The Los Lunas Tigers are (6-4) as of Monday night of Week 7 but you have to really like this Tigers team if you have seen them. They feature a junior loaded roster but they have several pieces to make a serious case as the fourth best team (right now) in 5A basketball.

3. Don’t Make A Lock in 2016... Did we just contradict ourselves from the first thing we learned? Yes. Okay, this season has more parity than we’ve ever seen and the top three, maybe four, have impressed us in 2015 but 2016 always brings the surprises. Still left to argue is No. 4 Centennial (the defending champs), No. 5 Espanola Valley and No. 6 St. Pius X.

RECORDS DON’T MATTER: BETTER THAN THEIR RECORD SHOWS

Goddard (6-6): The Rockets are coming off one of it’s biggest road wins in program history beating Hobbs at Tasker in week six. The Rockets are just putting the pieces together and could be an Elite Eight team without question.

Artesia (3-3): Yes, we had them high this season and they have two really bad losses on their resume to Chaparral and Valencia but the Bulldogs will dust the turf off and be a team to reckon with in 5A basketball come March. If they don’t....Well, good thing I can change my mind.

Bernalillo (4-4): If you have read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde growing up then you would know the Spartans will have you on the edge of your seat. The Spartans have some shooters and if March proves one thing we all need a Cinderella story with deep range.

Del Norte (2-6): At 2-6 it would seem unlikely a playoff team but a boost to their resume with the win over Eldorado. The thing with the Knights is a group of fearless guards that play uptempo. What's to say they don't challenge Bernalillo for third in this district.

NEWCOMERS: WELCOME TO THE SHOW

Players who were not on the radar this preseason but with top performance this season have us taking a closer look.

Jarrett Graham, Piedra Vista: The sophomore guard went off for 40 points this season on a hot shooting night.

Bryce Rewalt, Centennial: Another guard who we missed on our preseason radar but is quickly becoming a third piece to a talented team that won the title a season ago.

Tyren King, Farmington: The northwest district is mostly unknown until they travel to Albuquerque during the state tournament. Well, King has caught our eye early as the 5-foot-8 senior was the MVP of the Marv Sanders Invite, a tournament with the likes of Las Cruces and Cleveland.

THE OCHO: TOP-8 TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS

Eight teams get a home game for the first round of the state tournament. These are our eight right now and in that order.

Grants (10-1): The one loss is to a top team in 6A Cleveland. The Pirates have talent and it’s hard not to like them as a DC in this district.

Capital (8-1): The Jaguars will have Espanola Valley to deal with but this team is special and could be a 2-seed without question.

Roswell (7-1): Roswell has one loss but the loss might affect their seed, some with Centennial right behind them.

Centennial (5-3): The Hawks are a predicted DC at the moment but might have the hardest DRU in Los Lunas to beat out. This district also has Belen who might be in the tango of three.

Gallup (8-4): Have a nice resume and could be the team you might forget about in the mix with a win over Rio Rancho and DC in 1-5A they could sneak into the fourth slot. Centennial grabbed it with the 5A win over Roswell.

Los Lunas (6-4): A team that might find itself in the top 3 when everything is said and done.

Espanola Valley (8-3): A team that you just can’t sleep on and might gain the dark horse title as they have the making of another team you could see flip the chart with a DC over Capital.

St. Pius X (4-2): We didn’t like them, then we liked them, the Silver loss in week seven still has us undecided but the resume has a win over Gallup. Folks will remind me that they will be there in March.

SEEDS 9-12: MIDDLE TIER OR BUST

Belen (4-2): The Eagles are just the odd man out at the moment but what’s not to say they beat out a DRU for a Top-8 spot. However, they need that one win to help us win that argument.

Farmington (8-2): The record is impressive; they shocked us in the Elite Eight last March. This team could be the on the road upset in the first round, any takers?

Piedra Vista (7-3): Will battle Scorpions and Bengals for the DC in 1-5A and this race might be closer than predicted today.

Goddard (6-6): At 12 right now but the DRU against Roswell and you have to argue them in the Top-8, right? Well, the resume has a loss to district rival Artesia but the Hobbs win moved them up.

SEEDS 13-16: BUBBLE OR BUST

Bernalillo (4-4): The West Mesa win helps, I think.

Del Norte (3-6): Valencia and Eldorado win helps, so far.

Moriarty (4-4): Valencia win.

Valencia (2-6): Beat Artesia in the bubble busting vote – I think.

THE COACHES SEAT

First-Year Coach: Jake Herrin, Valencia - The Jaguars are up and down right now in the season but a win over Artesia helped. I say in a short three to four years this Jaguars will be on the rise.

Veteran Coach: Ben Gomez, Capital - Ben Gomez is back at Capital and he has quickly returned the Jaguars to a To-3 team, where he had them before they let him go several years ago.

Newcomer on the rise, Joseph Sanchez, Grants - In his third season the Pirates have achieved the highest ranking in NMPreps.com Top-25 Poll at No. 2 overall. The Pirates at 10-1 are ranked No. 1 in 5A something that hasn't happened.

Which Football Programs Are On The Rise?

Within NM Prep Football?

Why Can't Albuquerque Public Schools Travel Out of State?

This week Cleveland, Grants, Sandia Prep, and Carlsbad are playing in a high profile basketball tournament in California. "The Desert Heat Classic". I believe the Aztec girls are playing out there as well. Cleveland Wrestling is in Nevada. No APS Schools can travel out of State, which I feel greatly keeps their competition level down. What is the big deal?

Why can't APS Schools travel out of state to get better?

Week 7: Tuesday Night Recap
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

Tuesday night several Top-25 teams were in action and a few upsets with a team from the Albuquerque Metro Area making noise. Also, one of the unbeaten teams is no longer after a one-point loss.

Tuesday: Top-25 Recap

No. 3 Onate 52, EP Horizon (TX) 46: In the El Paso Austin tournament it was the Knights of Onate moving to 7-3 on the season with a win in the opening round of the tournament.

No. 3 Onate 62, EP Bel Air (TX) 29: The Knights for the second time in one day take home a victory to improve to (8-3) on the season. The Knights move on to the championship game on Wednesday afternoon (12:00PM).

No. 6 Cleveland 67, Shadow Hills (CA) 48: The sixth ranked Storm rebound from a loss on Monday night to improve to (8-3) on the season and 2-1 in California.

No. 7 Grants 93, Mission Vista (CA) 78: The Grants Pirates are 3-0 in California with a 93-78 win over Mission Vista Oceanside (CA). The Pirates improve to (9-1) on the season. Mike Chambers led the way with a game high 27-points in the win. Also, in double figures was post Bradley Hatten (21 points) and Eric Gonzales (18 points).

No. 8 Hope Christian 71, No. 2 Albuquerque 65: The Hope Christian Huskies provide the upset of the night with a 71-65 win over the Albuquerque High Bulldogs. The Huskies move to (6-1) on the season. The Huskies move on to the championship to take on Espanola Valley for the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic Championship.

No. 18 Espanola Valley 61, No. 9 Rio Rancho 52: Uriah Arellano led the way for the Espanola Valley Sundevils with 17 points in the win over host Rio Rancho. JP Sena also in double figures with 12 points and sophomore post Azaziah Salazar with 10.

Atrisco Heritage Academy 46, No. 21 Los Lunas 25: In a low scoring affair it was the hot streak Atrisco Heritage Jaguars winning their fourth straight game and moving on-to the championship game of the village of Los Lunas tournament.

Bernalillo 60, No. 23 West Las Vegas 59: The Bernalillo Spartans give the Dons of West Las Vegas their first loss on the season in the second round of the Stu Clark invite.

EP Montwood (TX) 48, No. 25 Pojoaque Valley 25: In the consolation side of the village of Los Lunas tournament it was the Rams giving the No. 25 Pojoaque Elks their third loss of the season moving them to (8-3).


Tuesday – Top Performers (Add Here)

Azaziah Salazar, Espanola Valley - 10 points in win over Rio Rancho.
Bradley Hatten, Grants - 21 points in win over Mission Vista (CA).
Eric Gonzales, Grants - 18 points in win over Mission Vista (CA).
JP Sena, Espanola Valley - 12 points in win over Rio Rancho.
Mike Chambers, Grants - 27 points in win over Mission Vista (CA).
Uriah Arellano, Espanola Valley - 17 points in win over Rio Rancho.

Tuesday - Scoreboard (Add Here)

Jemez Valley 72, Tierra Encantada 58
Onate 52, EP Horizon (TX) 46
Onate 62, EP Bel Air (TX) 29
Pecos 71, Maxwell 44
Santa Rosa 62, McCurdy 30

California Holiday Classic
Capistrano Valley (CA) 67, Carlsbad 42
Cleveland 67, Shadow Hills (CA) 48
Grants 93, Misson Vista 78
Sandia Prep 73, Brethren Christian (CA) 38

Rio Rancho Holiday
Hope Christian 71, Albuquerque 65
EP Socorro (TX) 69, Las Cruces 59
Espanola Valley vs Rio Rancho (4th Quarter)
Mayfield 76, Aztec 48

Stu Clark
Bernalillo 60, West Las Vegas 59
Robertson 62, Silver 55
St. Pius X 59, Miyamura 47
West Mesa 63, Kirtland Central 43

Village of Los Lunas Tournament
EP Montwood (TX) 48, Pojoaque Valley 25
Manzano 54, Valencia 43
Atrisco Heritage 46, Los Lunas 25
Alamogordo 50, EP Hanks (TX) 46

2015 HOLIDAY HOOPS TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

Today, we take a tour of the basketball holiday basketball tournaments across the state of New Mexico. Several tournaments are on weather alert, with some being pushed back a day already.


Brackets & Previews



3rd ANNUAL VILLAGE OF LOS LUNAS

A mixture of teams from 6A to 4A in New Mexico to a pair of teams from El Paso, Texas will head to Valencia High School (Tome, NM) to participate in the Village of Los Lunas tournament.

The opening round features a match between two Top-25 teams in the No. 25 Pojoaque Valley Elks (8-1) squaring off with No. 21 Los Lunas Tigers (5-4). The Tigers feature a talented 2017 class of players in Martin Trujillo, Hunter Wisneski, and Kayden Walker. Pojoaque Valley also a trio of juniors in Tevan Flowers, Dominic Roybal and James Garcia. This will be the match up of the tournament.

Other teams playing this week is unranked Atrisco Heritage Academy who is on a two game winning streak with two big wins, one over Top-25 La Cueva. Senior Estevan Martinez is a rising player leading the Jaguars with 16.5 points per game. Another metro area senior Braxton Bouyer leads the Manzano Monarchs against Alamogordo Tigers in a 6A battle.

Pick: Los Lunas Tigers



POE CORN INVITE

Each season the best 5A basketball tournament for the Holiday season takes place in Roswell, New Mexico at the Poe Corn Invitational. The tournament is held at Goddard High School and Roswell High School.

The tournament features one of the best teams in 5A basketball in the No. 11 Roswell Coyotes (7-1). The Coyotes features one of the best players in the classification as well in Daniel Amador who poured in 45 points in a tournament last week. They will take on the Los Alamos Hilltoppers in the opening game.

Another ranked team in the field is the No. 24 Farmington Scorpions (8-2) who have a championship on their belt this season at the Marv Sanders Invite. Their opening game will be against Artesia. The Bulldogs are struggling this season but each week they will only improve with the roster.

Another team coming into the tournament hot is Goddard Rockets who beat Hobbs in Hobbs.

The Pick: Roswell

HOBBS HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

The annual Hobbs Holiday tournament features teams from other states each year along with only a few New Mexico based teams. The tournament has been pushed back a day due to the weather in the SE corner.

The No. 14 Hobbs Eagles (5-4) will take on 4A St. Michael's in a revised bracket. Sandia from the Albuquerque Metro area will also participate in the tournament this season as they feature Caleb Warren who was ranked as one of the top prospects for the 2015-16 season. No. 15 Centennial High School from Las Cruces also boost the New Mexico side of teams as they are a Top-25 team on the rise. They feature some top players in Cesar Molina, who has returned from injury along with Alex Baez and newcomer to the watch list in Bryce Rewalt.



The Pick: Sandia





62nd STU CLARK TOURNAMENT

The Stu Clark is one of the best known tournaments in Northern New Mexico and will feature another quality field of teams in 2015. A pair of top-25 teams will in No. 25 West Las Vegas (7-0) and No. 20 St. Pius X (4-1) look to be favorites in this years pool.

The St. Pius X Sartans feature one of the top seniors in Emilio Arellano (SR) in what will be the match up of the tournament when the face a top 4A team and previously Top-25 ranked Silver Colts (4-2). West Las Vegas Dons will square off with Kirtland Central in the first round creating a match up of two quality 4A programs. The Dons feature one of the most known players in the state in DJ Bustos, the talented junior a Top-10 player over the summer in the NMPreps.com Top 60 players.

Other teams in the field are West Mesa from Albuquerque a 6A program who started ranked in the Top-25 and even moved up to 12th with an opening win over Sandia. Robertson the dark horse favorite in the field is a feisty but talented 4A team with some serious talent.

The Pick: St. Pius X



RIO RANCHO HOLIDAY ALLSTATE CLASSIC

Likely the top tournament in New Mexico this Holiday season is the Rio Rancho Classic. The field will have several Top-25 teams at Rio Rancho High School.

The No. 2 Albuquerque High Bulldogs open the tournament with 5A Aztec and will let NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Candidate Gabe Bump (SR) show why he is one of the best players in the state. On the same side of the bracket is No. 8 Hope Christian Huskies (5-1) who take on the young Trojans of Mayfield (3-7) who are a dangerous 6A opponent for the Huskies.

On the bottom half of the bracket is the No. 18 Espanola Valley Sundevils (8-3) taking on the Las Cruces Bulldawgs a program that can't be taken lightly. The Sundevils have sophomore post Azaziah Salazar who has consistently played well on season. The 4-6 Bulldawgs have a sophomore of their own in point guard Markus Collins.

The host Rio Rancho Rams ranked No. 9 (NMPreps.com Top-25) will take on El Paso-Socorro (TX) in the opening round. The talented Rams have Brady Patterson and Juan Hurt but the roster is deep with three point shooter Javier Deleon and unknown Anthony Armijo who is a junior who needs more praise.

The Pick: Rio Rancho vs Albuquerque High - THE REMATCH

Bernalillo 60, West LV 59 final in stu Clark tournament.

We're running out of undefeated teams in New Mexico

Just a quick survey to get a feel of who watches what, what is your favorite league to actually sit down and watch week in and week out? Not team, but league as a whole.

Because I dont have cable but stream everything instead, I am a Premiere League fan, top to bottom all teams are exciting and can have great games every week. However, when I had cable and FoxSports Espanol, I loved watching the Argentinean league and the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

How Many NM Basketball Players Will Sign D1 Scholarships?

From the Class of 2016?

Also how many D1 basketball players has New Mexico produced over the last 5 seasons?

@J Grine any idea?

New Mexico Needs To Revamp Senior Game
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com

This is an opinion piece written by Kyle Henderson, the Publisher of NMPreps.com regarding the fact that New Mexico does have a senior showcase immediately following the prep football season for un-signed seniors.

Updated Story Here
https://nmpreps.n.rivals.com/news/new-mexico-needs-to-revamp-senior-game

Would Be Roster


Complete Roster Here
https://nmpreps.n.rivals.com/news/new-mexico-needs-to-revamp-senior-game


If we had a statewide senior bowl this weekend to showcase these unsigned seniors on a best of the best stage?

I think right now it's against the nmaa rules for athletes to play in a game like this during the school year. I know other states have senior games around this time.

Feature: Bubble Teams Right Now. Who's the Best?
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

Today, we take at the so-called "bubble" of the State Tournament in New Mexico. Maybe, a week early to really get this conversation started but here we go.

(Top-11 Teams: Rio Rancho, Cibola, Cleveland, Sandia, Onate, Gadsden, Carlsbad, Valley, Albuquerque, Rio Grande, Hobbs)

Bubble Ranking

12. Atrisco Heritage Academy (2-4)
Why: Yes, they start 0-4. Since then they have head-to-head bubble wins over La Cueva and Volcano Vista.

13. Volcano Vista (4-3)
Why: 2-game skid hurt but bubble wins over Eldorado and La Cueva.

14. La Cueva (2-5)
Why: Hanging on to the win over Valley on opening night really, really and we mean really helps. They have to finish at the least second in district.

15. Eldorado (2-6)
Why: It's hard to imagine us putting them in after a recent loss to Del Norte? Yes, it is but looking at the bubble wins over Mayfield and West Mesa could help in the head-to-head conversation.

16. Mayfield (3-7)
Why: 3-7 doesn't look good, we know. However, this is a good young team. The West Mesa win helps and potential third place district finish will get them in.

Who's Knocking?

17. Santa Fe (5-5)
Why: The Demons are .500 and they have a bubblish win over Las Cruces High School. They need the Bulldawgs to get into the top-3 maybe 2 of district play to help. Also, the Demons need at least 2 wins in district. However, last season the NMAA took a team that didn't win a district regular season game in Robertson from 4A last season.

18. Highland (1-5)
Why: Okay, don't spit out your coffee. The Hornets schedule has been arguably the toughest so far with games against Hope, Cleveland, Valley, Cibola and Rio Rancho. Any team on the bubble would be 1-5 with this schedule.

19. West Mesa (2-5)
Why: They have likely the better signature win over Sandia but are on a 5-game skid that will only hurt. If not for the Sandia win they are in the group below.

Might Be In a Situation That They have to finish Top-2 in District. In fact they are in that situation.

20. Las Cruces
21. Deming
22. Manzano
23. Clovis
24. Alamogordo

For the 2013-2014 basketball season.

December 1st
Atrisco Heritage Academy 45.0, Manzano 32.0

Who is going to silver? What other tournaments are coming up to watch for? and what's been happening all over the state? Do we have results for the PV tourney that happens?

Week 7: Monday Night Recap
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

With several teams at home without games this holiday season several teams were able to play on. We take a look at action from Tuesday night in week seven of the basketball season.

Top-25 Recaps

No. 2 Albuquerque High 99, Aztec 28: The Albuquerque High Bulldogs moved to (5-1) on the season with a thumping of 5A’s Aztec High School (1-8) in the opening round of the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic.

Rancho Mirage (CA) 74, No. 4 Carlsbad 39: The Cavemen took a big loss on Monday night in California, 74-39. The Cavemen struggled offensively with a 1-point quarter to start the second half of the game.

Beckman (CA) 79, No. 6 Cleveland 63: In Palm Springs California, the No. 6 Cleveland Storm fall to (7-3) on the season with a loss on Monday evening. The Storm are 1-1 during pool play in the California Classic.

No. 7 Grants 74, Cabrillo (CA) 69: The seventh ranked Grants Pirates improved their season to (8-1) with a win over Cabrillo, California. The Pirates were led by shooting guard Michael Chambers with 21 points. Also, in double figures for the Pirates were Matt Vail (16), Richie Lucero (14) and Bradley Hatten (13).

No. 8 Hope Christian 53, Mayfield 49: In a close upset alert game the Hope Christian Huskies move to (6-1) on the season with a 53-49 win over Mayfield. The Huskies move on in the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic while Mayfield will play in the consolation side of the tournament.

No. 9 Rio Rancho 66, EP Socorro (TX) 55: The Rio Rancho Rams improve to (8-2) on the season with a win in the first round of the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic. The Rams will take on Espanola Valley in the second round of the winners bracket.

No. 18 Espanola Valley 50, Las Cruces 38: In the opening round of the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic it was the 5A Espanola Valley Sundevils improving to (9-3) on the season with the win over Las Cruces. Uriah Arellano led the way with 9 points for the Sundevils followed by 8 points from post Azaziah Salazar.

Silver 46, No. 20 St. Pius X 42: Making the trip north the Silver Colts (5-2) of 4A made the upset of the night with a win over No. 20 St. Pius X (4-2) in the first round of the Stu Clark Invite (Las Vegas, NM – New Mexico Highlands)

No. 21 Los Lunas 35, No. 25 Pojoaque Valley 30: In the only Top-25 match-up of the night the Tigers of Los Lunas improve to (6-4) on the season with a win over Pojoaque Valley (8-2). Freshman Zanen Zeller led the way for the Tigers with 11 points followed by Martin Trujillo with 10. James Garcia paced the way for the Elks with 13 points.

No. 23 West Las Vegas 86, Kirtland Central 55: Also, at New Mexico Highland University the West Las Vegas Dons stay perfect improving to (8-0) with the monster win of the Kirtland Central Broncos.

Other Recaps Around The State

Alamogordo 54, Manzano 41: At, Valencia High School for the Village of Los Lunas Tournament it was Kamiron Bickham and Jared Sessions scoring 15 points each for the Alamogordo win. Alamogordo improves to 4-5 snapping a 4-game losing streak. Manzano falls to (2-5) on the season.

Bernalillo 65, West Mesa 38: The Bernalillo Spartans (4-4) snap a two game losing streak with a win over 6A West Mesa (2-5). West Mesa has dropped it’s fifth straight game. This game took place at the Stu Clark Invite in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Monday
California Holiday Classic
Beckham (CA) 79, Cleveland 63
Grants 74, Cabrillo (CA) 69
Rancho Mirage (CA) 74, No. 4 Carlsbad 39
Sandia Prep 90, Palm Valley (CA) 46

Rio Rancho Tournament
Albuquerque 99, Aztec 28
Espanola Valley 50, Las Cruces 38
Hope Christian 53, Mayfield 49
Rio Rancho 66, EP Socorro (TX) 55

Stu Clark Tournament (Las Vegas, NM)
Bernalillo 65, West Mesa 38
Robertson 66, Miaymura 50
Silver 46, St. Pius X 42
West Las Vegas 86, Kirtland Central 55

Village of Los Lunas Tournament
Alamogordo 54, Manzano 41
Atrisco Heritage 54, EP Montwood (TX) 50
EP Hanks 51, Valencia 36
Los Lunas 35, Pojoaque Valley 30

Feature: Stock Watching For Top Four Seeds
Joshua J. Grine

Christmas is upon us, a time to look at our stocks of New Mexico High School basketball.

We will take a look at our Week 6 NMPreps.com Top-25 Rankings and dig into who we think will claim the top spots come March. This is a "what if" the season ended today look.

6A HOOPS

VALLEY VIKINGS

Record: 6-2
NMPreps.com Top-25 Ranking: #1

The Vikings have hit a new stride into the season with a pair of Top-5 wins in the past two weeks. First, they beat Onate High School for the Joe Armijo Classic championship and turned around the next week to take out a fan choice in Cleveland.

Sophomore guard Anthony Chavez along with post man Teton Saltes have both recorded 20-point games in the last two weeks creating what could be one of the most dangerous duos in March. Top teams will be surrounded by quality forwards (strange I know) and Chavez might be the X-factor as a Top-3 guard to take the blue (or Turquoise) trophy home.

Stock: Up
Seed: 1

ONATE KNIGHTS

Record: 6-3
NMPreps.com Top-25 Ranking: 4

The Knights have been good since an early season loss in overtime to Cleveland (65-59) but another dip to Valley in week four might of hurt chances to stay in the top four.

So why the Top-4 seed?

They've righted their season with a win over, then ranked no. 1, Carlsbad and an impressive 70-55 win over El Paso El Dorado (TX). But the determining factor to the possibility of seeing Onate with a Top-4 seed in March is the fact the district could be down, more than we expected it to be.

Stock: Down-ish
Seed: 3 or 4

CARLSBAD CAVEMEN

Record: 8-1
NMPreps.com Top-25 Ranking: 5

The Cavemen haven't been the powerful number 1 seed that we projected them to be this preseason. A few shaky starts but jobs finished have us wondering what we will get in March.

The biggest resume builders to date are Top-25 wins over Gadsden and Los Lunas. Both teams are quality wins this season, Gadsden still a dark horse to some aspect. The 63-45 win over Las Cruces boosted the stock up a ten point 55-45 win to a 2-win Mayfield team makes us think inconsistent -right now.

Stock: Down
Seed: 4 or 3

CIBOLA COUGARS

Record: 7-1
NMPreps.com Top-25 Ranking: 7

Move over, the Cougars are in town. Not many teams with a higher stock than these Cibola Cougars right now.

Behind a rising prospect in Desmond Carpenter and a trio in the making this team could be the silent killer to the preseason favorites. They do have the one loss to Valley (ranked above) by a score of 64-58 but they have wins over Albuquerque High, 68-62 and Top-25 team Sandia, 58-40.

The biggest question mark is they would have to win District 1-6A with the likes of Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista along with a spoiler potential in Santa Fe High. All these teams might hurt stock with a three way, maybe four way, scrabble for the District Title.

Stock: Up
Seed: 2 maybe 1

Looks like this storm is going to be big time! Be safe

NFL Playoff Picture

AFC

New England 12-3 projected 1st Seed
Cincinnati Bengals 11-3 projected 2nd seed

Jets 10-5 6th Seed
Broncos 10-4 3rd seed

Chiefs 10-5 5th Seed
Texas 8-7 4th Seed

NFC

Panthers 14-1 1st Seed
Cardinals 13-2 2nd Seed

Seahawks 9-6 6th Seed
Packers 10-5 3rd Seed

Vikings 10-5 5th Seed
Redskins 8-7 4th Seed

Any chance this upcoming weather affects the many Holiday Tournaments?

Tournament Postponements or Updates

Hobbs Tournament has been cancelled
Clovis Tournament has been cancelled
Roswell Poe Corn will start on Tuesday not Monday
Texico's Citizen's Bank Tournament has been cancelled
Los Lunas's Holiday Tournament will resume as schedule taking place one hour later

Tournament will go on as planned with each game Monday starting 1 hour later than originally scheduled.

Looks like there may be an alternative to Santa Ana Star Center coming...

Thoughts?

Pushes back until Tuesday.

What freshmen playing varsity are having a good season?

Two Questions

1. Should be be suspended?
2. Will the Panthers go undefeated