Here is a really nice article about Coach Long, who was named the San Diego Union-Tribune Sportsman of the Year, with quotes from former Lobos Zach Arnett, Danny Gonzalez and John Sullivan: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/dec/27/sdsu-rocky-long-sportsman-of-year/

The MLS by some counts either has or hasnt breached the proverbial "Big 4" of American Sports. Some say it never will, some say its inevitable. Some say they are almost there, some say that there are miles to go. Whatever side of the fence you might be on, this article is interesting to see the metrics used to gauge their slow ascent break into the Big 4 leagues.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenh...our/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Texico Cancels Citizen's Bank Holiday Tournament

Just in

More Weather Updates
https://nmpreps.n.rivals.com/news/n...-will-affect-this-week-s-holiday-tournaments-

Early Look At Annual Hobbs Basketball Tournament

Chuck was a football player and wrestler at Highland (Class of '58) and UNM. He coached a year at Gallup High and briefly at NMMI before he began moving through the coaching ranks, eventually coaching for Woody Hayes at Ohio State, and then for 10 years with the Philadelphia Eagles (including their 1981 Super Bowl team), and then with the Falcons and Chargers.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/173/article/114287/

Sidelines: 50 Days of Basketball
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

With very few games on slate this week, I take a few minutes to recapture the first 50 days of the basketball season.

Ranking The Teams We Have Seen In Person
(Not Official NMPreps.com Rankings; Just Teams We've Seen)

We have seen 20 teams (several twice) in 50 days of basketball.

1. Valley: Offensively and athletically we like them.
2. Cleveland: Athletes and Strength.
3. Onate (Twice): McCants is good and Chemistry is high.
4. Rio Rancho (Twice): Hurt and Patterson playing well, third part of trio will get better.
5. Carlsbad: Calm and collective even if down. Solid defensive team.
6. Grants: Some weapons, good press.
7. Capital: Coca is a sound player, coach manages the game well.
8. Gallup (Twice): I like them more than I did. Lowely is solid.
9. Pojoaque Valley (Twice): 4A team with a good core. Garcia can shoot.
10. Hope: Leake can get to the rim, supporting players not as strong this season.
11. Los Lunas (Twice): One of the best, young, rosters (2016-2017 favorite rosters).
12. Mayfield (Twice): Another roster of unknowns that could develop well under Keys.
13. Artesia (Twice): No basketball legs yet, have a hole to get out of but will be right there.
14. Goddard (Twice): No Wade when we seen 'em but this will be a tough 9-16 seed.
16. Del Norte: Guard led team that plays fearless.
17. Chaparral (Twice): This program is looking like a program. Year away but Amaya was quality player.
18. Albuquerque Academy: Might be lacking the athletes this season but well coached.
19. Clovis: The program has taken some hits. Experience low, 'hoopers' low.
20. Santa Fe Indian: Run and Gun and fire from three.

Coaches Round Table

Mike Mondragon - Artesia HC - The Bulldogs head coach took the time to treat us well. Sat talked hoops, New Mexico hoops. First class. Made sure we had what we needed. Plus I got one of my favorite things that coaches used to do when we attend games - a T-Shirt from the tournament. (Honestly, love T-Shirts from programs)

Travis Julian and Los Lunas staff - A program that promotes their athletes right. We appreciate the shoutout for having us in Los Lunas.

John Zumbrun - Carlsbad HC - Took the time to talk basketball with me. Enjoyed my first time meeting a coach who loves this game and being a leader. I could sit for days just discussing hoops with him. Loves this game.

William Keys - Mayfield HC - Another coach we got to meet and sit down with. Shared vision and first weeks as a head coach. Going to do big things for the Trojans.

Brian Smith (Cleveland) and Joseph Sanchez (Grants) - Taking the time to come say hi and how we are doing goes a long way in my book. Some coaches are just first class.

Joey Trujillo - Pojoaque Valley - Spent time talking with us in Artesia. Another coach that I could sit for hours just talking hoops or anything. He loves all aspects of the game.

Jason Kampsky - Ruidoso - Young coach that will have Ruidoso girl's program on the right path. Another coach that cares about the right things in basketball. Enjoyed my time talking with him in Artesia.

Plenty of other coaches that call or text to just talk hoops. Honestly my days are great from all four corners of the state. Some great men out there who coach basketball. Keep 'em coming.

Others on the Sideline

Met the Espanola Valley based radio station, great guy. Carlsbad radio guy. I had a great time just chatting with him as he called a game. Artesia radio is top notch, I really enjoy their passion. Grants newspaper has some of the hardest working guys for their program, reminds me of the Hobbs Sports Guy. My adopted home of Valencia (even thought they have new guys from my time coaching there) has a newspaper in VC- News bulletin that goes above like the Grants Guys.

Others include officials that also take time to talk hoops in Artesia, Metro area and others along the way. Have sat down with five or six.

Ranking The Venues

1. Artesia: Coaches dream facility.
2. Santa Fe Indian Pavilion: Beauty of a gym.
3. Cleveland Gym: Wow.
4. Los Lunas: The renovations are sweet.
5. Albuquerque Academy: Little gem (yes gem) that I love seeing games in. Support staff was great!

Extras: The Basketball Junkies/Fanatics

Northwest area has a solid basketball mind. Dude is a great source for hoops.
Santa Fe has a basketball junkie that I like chatting with.
Artesia from fans to administration are ranked among the best.

Who Needs To "Win" Their Non-District Schedule
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

Christmas is over and we hit the questions that we all (well most of us) talk about and look at. At NMPreps.com we take some questions and conversations and break down our thoughts.

1. Rio Grande Ravens - Record: 6-2

Ranked 15th (NMPreps.com Top-25) in the state of New Mexico the Ravens are a good team that could be in the mix of teams that we like in the Elite Eight. However, they could be a team that might fall behind frontrunners in District 5-6A - Valley and Albuquerque High. Winning their remanding non-district games will be crucial for seeding purposes if they fall to third in District. Right now their resume doesn't have any 'bad' losses.
Important Dates: Sandia (1/5), Rio Rancho (1/14). APS Metros
Current Projection: 9-12 Seed.
Could be: 13-16 Seed.

2. Any team in District 1-6A

Right now it seems like we have a four team toss up for the District 1-6A title and it is uncertain if this will help or hurt the District come seeding time. Cibola (No. 7), Cleveland (No. 9) and Rio Rancho (No. 11) with the possibility of No. 18 Volcano Vista could be in this tango for the title. We could go back to 2013 when the NMAA seeded the bracket 1, 2, 3 all from District 2-5A (6A). That is highly unlikely this season but I wouldn't be surprised if 3 of the 4 are in the Top-8.

Cibola at (7-1) has the likely shot and boosts a win over potential DC in Albuquerque High, that head-to-head will help. Rio Rancho's (7-2) resume might need the most need to win their non-district schedule as they don't have many 6A tournament teams. The Rio Rancho holiday tournament might be the best resume building week and they need it "if" they fall out of the top two spots in district. Cleveland (6-2) will also require some help but more on the 55% in the top-8 as the have a win over a potential DC in Onate but loss to one in Valley. The APS Metro will be the biggest week for them. We've been high and now we are more low on the Hawks of Volcano Vista (4-3). The Atrisco Heritage Academy loss on December 19th hurts the resume unless AHA makes a run that we don't expect. Volcano Vista might have a bubble game or 10-16 seed game with Hobbs (yes, I put that).

3. District 2-6A a One Bid League?

As other Districts could steal up to 7-8 seeds from 1-6A and 5-6A (possibility) it could hurt this district. The records right now; Manzano (2-4), Sandia (2-4), La Cueva (2-5), Eldorado (2-6) and Highland (1-5). I think it would be safe to say that one team should go dancing today. Will that happen - not likely. La Cueva might boost the best non-district win over Valley on opening night. After that I couldn't make an argument for them to be dancing besides the fact we might run out of squads and the DRU (District Runner-Up) could steal or earn (either way) the 16-seed.

Manzano and Highland have the better chance to get some wins before District play starts. Manzano has a bubble date with Alamogordo on Monday 12/28. Highland with Taos, playing in the Stu Clark in Las Vegas, New Mexico starting Monday. Taos is a scary game for Highland, even though they (Taos) are not as talented as they have been they are coached by one of the best in 4A basketball.


4. District 5A Belen, Centennial and Los Lunas

All three might be tournament teams, that we are sure of but will they all three get a Top-8 seed? Right now I say why not but the odd man out finishing third place might find itself in the 9-12 range.

Belen (4-2) has a favorable schedule outside the Poe Corn Tournament (Roswell, NM) next week. They have a first round date with Piedra Vista that could play into the top-8 conversation. They return from Roswell with dates with teams that won't likely be dancing like Los Alamos, Abq Academy, Hot Springs and Cobre. You have to like the schedule in their favor of getting 4 wins right there.

Centennial (5-3) has the best resume win over Roswell who could be a 1-2 seed in the state tournament. They will have a tougher schedule remanding with Albuquerque High and West Mesa but must wins over Clovis and Artesia await.

Los Lunas (5-4) has played likely the toughest schedule of the three right now. The good news? The non-district schedule gets easier. The bad news? The schedule gets weaker, meaning they can't afford a slip up late into the season. The date to circle is with another potential 1-3 seed in Capital High School. Pojoaque Valley next week could cause a scare.

5. Hatch Valley from 3-4A, Shiprock from 1-4A and St. Mikes from 5-4A.

The Horsemen at 2-5 have played a strong schedule with Capital, Espanola Valley and Gadsden all being in the Top-25. Then you return in the new year with a date with Hobbs on Monday night. This schedule doesn't lighten up with dates with Pojoaque Valley, Taos, Silver, West Las Vegas and Portales. They need a win over 3 to get into the Top-8 or it might be the first time in over ten years (not to sure) that they travel in the first round.

Shiprock (3-5) has the next schedule with the most strength (it does count to some extent). The Chieftains are another team not backing now with a visit to Clovis High School tournament next week and then to the Metro area at the Hope Christian tournament. If they fall deeper under .500 they might need to win district tournament for a bid.

Hatch Valley (6-6) is still searching for a signature win. Before the district schedule starts they need wins over their next three opponents (Cloudcroft, Magdalena and Ruidoso) and then go 2-1 at the Cuba Tournament. That and maybe they sneak into the Top-8 but will need to place second in district play.

Week Six Final Scores (Dec. 21st-26th)
Text to (505) 414-4313


Monday
Cleveland 59, Grants 56
Cuba 79, Jemez 66
Laguna 70, Crownpoint 28
McCurdy 84, Walatowa 42

Tuesday
Capital 50, St. Mike's 23
Goddard 75, Hobbs 73
Laguna-Acoma 81, Jemez Valley 51
Mora 56, Santa Rosa 53
Magdalena 69, Tohajilee 39
Mora 56, Santa Rosa 53
Roswell 91, Alamogordo 48
West Las Vegas 66, Lovington 62

Starting Tuesday instead of Monday because of weather

Girls
Caprock vs. Farmington
Lovnigton vs. Piedra Vista
Gallup vs. Dumas
Highland vs. Clovis

Boys
EP Cathedral vs. Santa Fe
Highland vs. Taos
Dumas vs. Shiprock
Lovington vs. Clovis

Junior Radar: Carlsbad's Boatwright Leaving His Mark
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com

Carlsbad's roster for the next two years will feature several Top-100 players on the NMPreps.com Prospect Rankings. The player that will likely be the highest ranked in program history could find himself in the Top-5 for two years.

It's still early and more players will hit the radar before the season ends but we take a look at potential top 100 players from the junior classification. These are players that have stood out and hit our radar.

POTENTIAL TOP 100 PLAYERS

Class of 2017 - TOP 10 JUNIORS

1. Brenden Boatwright, Forward, Carlsbad High School: Boatwright is a name that we all know (or should) when following the New Mexico high school recruiting scene. The 6-foot-9 forward has a nice 15-foot jump shot but is more of the back-to-the-basket big man with good footwork. His numbers; 21.3 points per game, 13.4 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game.

2. DJ Bustos, Guard, West Las Vegas High School: When we look at top players in the state of New Mexico the guard for the 4A school has been on the recruiting scene for a pair of seasons already. The Dons are coming off a big week five win and could be a threat to return to the state championship game. His numbers: please e-mail grinejosh@yahoo.com.

3. Clay Patterson, Guard, Rio Rancho High School: Patterson, follows his brothers footsteps as the slashing, play making guard for the Rams. Patterson creates his shot and is quick off the dribble. Likely another junior who will see his name in the Top-10 or right outside the Top-10 when the NMPreps.com Prospect Rankings come out. His numbers: 19.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

4. Desmond Carpenter, Guard, Cibola High School: Carpenter is another prospect on the recruiting scene, taking a visit to a Phoenix based Community College this summer is a player who is quietly leading the Cougars to big wins each week. He has gone off for 20 plus points against Top-25 competition. His numbers: please email grinejosh@yahoo.com.

5. Fabian Roybal, Guard, Highland High School: The guard for the Hornets is slowly coming to form after the Hornets had a slow start to the season. He has a pair of 20 point games this season and has been featured on the All-NMPreps.com teams. As the season goes on we will see his name rise. His numbers: please send to grinejosh@yahoo.com.

6. Matt Vail, Guard, Grants High School: Vail plays for a Top-5 team in the Grants Pirates. He entered the scene in the Elite Eight upset of Roswell last season and has held his own entering this season. Vail, has a solid basketball IQ and understands how to read the defense. His numbers: 10.3 points per game, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

7. James Garcia, Wing, Pojoaque Valley High School: From 4A basketball one of the better wings and shooters in the state plays for the Elks. Garcia, is one of those smooth type of players but has gone off for 4 or 5 threes in one game. He can do it off the dribble or spot up shooter. His numbers: please e-mail grinejosh@yahoo.com.

8. Juan Hurt, Guard, Rio Rancho High School: Maybe entering as the best backcourt duo in the state, definitely junior duo, is Juan Hurt the point guard for the Top-25 ranked Rio Rancho Rams. Hurt is not only a distributor but can hit from behind the three point line with confidence. His numbers: 10.9 points per game, 2.1 steals and 1.8 assists.

9. Jose Rodriguez Jr., Guard, Rio Grande High School: Heading to the South Valley we take a look at a player who his shooting his way onto the radar. Rodriguez, has gone off for 27 points twice this season against Santa Fe and Eldorado. His numbers: 19.8 points per game, 2.3 assists, 1.8 rebounds per game.

10. Adam Cook, Forward, Cleveland High School: We have yet to see Cook this season but entered the 2015-2016 season as a player to watch. Cook plays for a top-10 team in the Cleveland Storm and will have his time to shine when the Storm face the Pirates during week six. His numbers: please send to grinejosh@yahoo.com.

11. Chris Johnson, Forward, Carlsbad High School: Johnson, is the twin to the other tower on this list and has quietly been a star for this Carlsbad roster. The 6-foot-5 junior lefty is another in the paint big that cleans up the glass well but more of the utility man in the paint. His numbers: 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1 assist per game.

12. Hunter Thomas, Guard, Onate High School: The robin to batman (Johnny McCants) is the spot up shooter on the Onate Knights. Thomas, is quietly becoming a name to recognize as the season goes on for being one of the most consistent guards on the Knights roster. The 5-9 guard doesn't jump out the jump but is surely a Top100 player and one of the better shooters. His numbers: please e-mail grinejosh@yahoo.com.

The Rest of the Field (13-40)

David Cormier, Volcano Vista High School
Jeremy Snider, Rio Rancho High School
Kayden Walker, Los Lunas High School
Ray Moya, West Mesa High School
David Marquez, Santa Fe High School
Martin Trujillo, Los Lunas High School
Amarante Rhodes, La Cueva High School
Tennesse Owens, Centennial High School
Hunter Wisneski, Los Lunas High School
LeAnthoney Harrison, Goddard High School
Triston McCarty, La Cueva High School
Bobby Tapia, Sandia High School
Joshua Bailey, Gadsden High School
Ismael Holguin, Mayfield High School
Jeremy Anaya, Capital High School
Randall PoorThunder, Ruidoso High School
Garret Smothermon, Roswell High School
Anthony Armijo, Rio Rancho High School
Marcus Hill, Cleveland High School
Marquise Hill, Cleveland High School
Sidiki Mudada, Highland High School
Cael Apodaca, Highland High School
Dominic Roybal, Pojoaque Valley High School
Jeremie Kargbaye, Portales High School
Cal Villareal, Goddard High School
Tevan Flowers, Pojoaque Valley High School
Jason Upshaw, Miyamura High School
Jr. Ramirez, Portales High School


In case you missed the first addition.

• Sophomore Radar (December 4th, 2015)

Jamie Quinones Steps Down As Lovington Head Football Coach

https://nmpreps.n.rivals.com/news/jamie-quinos-steps-down-as-lovington-head-football-coach

Christmas Plans, What's For Dinner/On The Menu?

Most Appealing Head Coaching Position from the Head Jobs that recently opened?

Girls Hoops

Team, Record, Winning PCT

6A
Cibola 7-0 1000
Carlsbad 8-1, 889
Volcano Vista 6-1, 857
Eldorado 6-2, 750
La Cueva 5-2, 714
Las Cruces 6-3, 667
Alamamogordo 6-3, 67

5A
Gallup 11-0, 1000
Los Alamos 9-1, 900
Roswell 8-1, 889
Moriarty 8-2, 800
Aztec 7-2, 778
Espanola 7-2, 778
Piedra Vista 7-2, 778
Centennial 7-3, 700

4A
Shiprock 8-1, 889
Bloomfield 6-1, 857
Portales 5-1, 833
WEst LV 9-2
East Mountain 4-1, 800

3A
Eunice 9-0, 1000
Tularosa 7-0, 1000
Loving 7-0, 1000
Texico 6-1, 857
Cuba 8-3, 727
Tohatchi 8-3, 727
Capitan 7-3, 7-00

2A
Mescalero 10-1, 909
Ft. Sumner 8-1, 889
McCurdy 5-1, 833
Tse Yi Gai 5-1, 833
Ramaha 7-2, 778
Dora 7-3, 700
Mora 4-2, 667

1A
Elida 7-0, 1000
Walatowa 4-1, 800
Vaughn 4-2, 667

Best Records By Class As Of December 25th

Team/Record/Winning Pct.

6A

1. Carlsbad 8-1, 889
2. Cibola 7-1, 875
3. Albuquerque 4-1, 800
4. Onate 7-2, 778
5. Rio Rancho 7-2, 778
6. Valley 6-2, 750
7. Rio Grande 6-2, 750
8. Gadsden 10-4, 714

5A

1. Capital 10-1, 909
2. Roswell 7-1, 875
3. Grants 6-1, 857
4. St. Pius X 4-1, 800
5. Farmington 8-2, 800
6. Espanola 7-3, 727
7. Piedra Vista 7-3, 700

4A

1. West LV 7-0, 1000
2. Pojoaque 8-1, 889
3. Hope 5-1, 883
4. Taos 5-2, 714

3A

1. Estancia 3-0, 1000
2. Dulce 4-0, 1000
3. Lordsburg 8-0, 1000
4. Laguna 8-1, 889
5. Capitan 8-2, 800
6. Texico 7-2, 778

2A

1. McCurdy 5-0, 1000
2. Magdalena 8-0, 1000
3. Melrose 7-1, 875
4. Penasco 4-1, 800
5. Dora 8-2, 800
6. Logan 7-2, 778
7. Escalante 6-2 750

1A

1. Vaughn 6-1, 857
2. Springer 5-1, 83
3. Hondo 8-2, 800
4. Maxwell 7-2, 778
5. Quemado 7-2, 778
6. Grady 7-2, 778

All. Please post or email me all brackets. We need game times and brackets. text me an image and I will post here.




Credit to Chantz Atcitty for the list.






Los Lunas Public Schools Holiday Tournament
December 28-30

Los Lunas
Valencia
Alamogordo
Manzano
Atrisco
Pojoaque Valley
Montwood (TX)
Hanks (TX)



City of Champions
Artesia, NM
December 10-12th.

Artesia, Goddard, Gallup, Mayfield, Rio Rancho, Chaparral, El Paso Austin, and Pojoaque Valley

This needs its own thread

Lawmaker wants more athletic scholarships to go to New Mexicans
By: KRQE
http://krqe.com/2015/12/17/lawmaker-wants-more-athletic-scholarships-to-go-to-new-mexicans/

An Albuquerque lawmaker wants colleges like the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University to stop giving so many of their athletic scholarships to out of state high school students and start giving more of them to New Mexico kids.

Charles Owen manages New Mexico Look, a sports store near UNM dedicated to the state’s athletics.

“It’s something that we can take a lot of pride in. Our sports teams are very competitive,” said Owen.

However, that competitiveness could be in jeopardy, according to Owen.

A New Mexico lawmaker wants to pass a bill that would limit the number of out of state athletic scholarships New Mexico colleges could give out.

“I want us to compete with the rest of the states on an even playing field,” said Owen.

Right now at least 25 percent of all sports scholarships at places like UNM, NMSU and ENMU must go to New Mexicans.

Read More
http://krqe.com/2015/12/17/lawmaker-wants-more-athletic-scholarships-to-go-to-new-mexicans/

Former Albuquerque High standout, and current WNMU football player was named to the 2015 2nd Team Associated Press Little All-American Team.

Xavier Ayers finished 5th in the nation in receiving yards with 1,356 total yards, 3rd in the nation in receiving yards per game with 123.3 yards per game. He was 3rd in the nation in receptions with 91. He was 6th in the nation in receptions per game with 8.3 receptions per game.


http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/a...iated-press-announces-little-all-america-team

Who do you remember playing high school football with?

Names, positions, what stood out about them?

Does anyone have Rio Rancho Tournament Bracket??

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

Thoughts?

Who's seen the new one

Who's seen all of them

Who's never seen any

Shannon Aragon named new West LV Baseball Coach

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

Thoughts?