By Taylor Morrow of NMPreps.com
Today we continue our 2014/2015 Preview with watch to watch in Class 6A
6A Preview, Clovis The Team To Beat? [/B]
Clovis heads into the 2014-15 season as the 6A favorite. Last year the Wildcats were upset in the semifinals and finished with a 29-1 record. They return seniors Danni Williams (24 ppg), Shelby Jones (9 ppg), and Nichelle Hyman (7.4 ppg) making them the team to beat. District 4 rival Hobbs will surely miss Halle Woods, but there is some buzz around senior guard Kaylyn Felicetti. The Eagles went 23-7 last year before falling to state champion Volcano Vista in the quarterfinals.
La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM) will likely boost one of the best offensive attacks in all classifications. The Bears' seniors Alexa Romano and 6-0 Alyssa Yocky account for one of the best duos in the state. Romano averaged a team-high 21.4 points per game during her junior season, while Yocky averaged 11.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. Junior guard Mandy Perea will look to improve on a solid sophomore campaign.
District 1 favorite Cibola (Albuquerque, NM) will return 6-3 senior Kristin Dearth. Dearth possesses some of the best size in the state and will look to carry the Cougars deep into the state playoffs. Keep an eye on freshman Amaya Brown, the daughter of former UNM Lobo great Greg Brown.
Fellow District 1 foes Volcano Vista (Albuquerque, NM) and Santa Fe High will have strong teams. Volcano Vista is the reigning champ in New Mexico's top classification; however, they lose leading scorer Hannah Fenske (17.3 ppg) and Bianca Perez (10.8 ppg). The Hawks return a solid junior duo in guard Deezha Battle (11.1 ppg) and 5-10 Raven Herrera (8.5 ppg). Meanwhile, Santa Fe High moves to the top classification after winning the 4A state title last year.
Las Cruces and Mayfield (Las Cruces, NM) will look to battle it out for a District 3 title. Las Cruces returns senior standout Alina Fassa (team-high 11.6 ppg). Junior Megan Guadian along with seniors Graizon Alaniz and Alyssa Abney will look to provide a balanced offensive attack for the Bulldawgs. Meanwhile, Mayfield (27-4 last year) will look for someone to fill the shoes of 6-0 Daeshianna McCants.
District Breakdown [/B]
District 1 - Rio Rancho/Westside/Santa Fe areas
Cleveland (Rio Rancho, NM) graduates three seniors from last season's 8-win team. They return several juniors along with seniors Kechelle Holmes and Reagan Barnard…Rio Rancho High will return their top two scorers from last season in seniors Imani Morlock (8.3 ppg) and Brianna Pribble (6.6 ppg). Sophomores Cheyenne Orzoco and Bailee Bolen will be looking to improve on good freshmen seasons…
District 2 - Eastern Albuquerque area
Highland (Albuquerque, NM) will look to bounce back after a 4-win season last year. The Hornets lose half of their team and will look to seniors Yennhi Mai, Zaria Shell, and Tymara Boxton for leadership…Eldorado (Albuquerque, NM) went 21-7 last year and will look to junior Arianna Baca and sophomore Sydney Candelaria to have another strong season…Manzano (Albuquerque, NM) returns leading scorer Michelle Dao (8.8 ppg) and sophomore MidNight Romero. The Monarchs went 5-20 last season…Sandia (Albuquerque, NM) will return standout guard Jourdan Williams. The Matadors also return 5-10 junior Alyssa Provencio along with a talented sophomore and junior class. Sandia will look to top last season's 8-win total, as they return every player from last season's team…
District 3 - Las Cruces/Southern NM area
Deming only lost two players from last season's team. The Wildcats will return all of their top scorers, including seniors Jessica Jasso (9.2 ppg) and Sara Reyes (8.3 ppg)…Gadsden graduated Nicole Villegas (16.1 ppg), Juanita Lopez (10.4 ppg), and Gabriela Rivera (9 ppg). The Panthers will to seniors Erika Anaya and Monika Chavez-Valtierra for leadership… Onate (Las Cruces, NM) loses leading scorer Kelsie Rosales (17 ppg). Juniors Deanna Lopez, Crystal Vasquez, and Leslie Holguin will look to lead the Knights this season…
District 4 - Eastern NM area
Alamogordo will look to improve on last year's 8-win season. They only lose three seniors and will look to seniors Chelsea Carroll, Monique Hernandez, and Erynn Conde for leadership…Carlsbad lose four seniors from last year's state playoff team. They will look to senior guard Shelby Welch and senior post Lainey Bryson. 6-0 sophomore Kim Best will also provide some size inside…
District 5 - Western Albuquerque area
Albuquerque High went 16-11 last season and return senior point guard Ashley Perez. After only graduating two seniors, this is likely the team to beat in District 5…Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque, NM) went 7-19 last season, but return all but one player from last season's squad. The Jaguars are going to an interesting team to keep an eye on considering their returning experience…Rio Grande (Albuquerque, NM) played well in district player last season, but lose five seniors to graduation. The Ravens will return three players listed at 5-10 giving them some decent size…Valley (Albuquerque, NM) loses several talented players from last year's 18-8 team, but they return standout guard Alexis Reyes, who will be looking to keep the Vikings as a playoff team…West Mesa (Albuquerque, NM) graduated Jessieka Salazar, Jordan Benally, and Desiree Encinias. After going winless last season, it is anyone's guess as to who will step up for the Mustangs.
This post was edited on 11/19 12:21 PM by Kyle H
