Week Two: Numbers 2 and 3 Lose...Already
Joshua J. Grine of NMPreps.com
We'll we all hear the narrative, it doesn't matter where you start in the rankings. The opening week for the Albuquerque metro area brought the No. 2 and No. 3 team to a tumble, one to an unranked but history filled program.
More: Week One: The Week That Was
We (Or I) Bought What You Were Selling - 3 Drops
RIO RANCHO RAMS
Week Two Ranking: No. 2
What Happened: The Rio Rancho Rams program will be fine, Rams nation no need to worry in this 79-67 loss to No. 6 Albuquerque High. However, maybe the Rams were a bit on the overhype? Maybe, not for the sake of our preseason countdown. Many of the players recently turned in their cleats so this could be more of a wait and see. I still like this buy and not ready to take a loss.
VALLEY VIKINGS
Week Two Ranking: No. 3
What Happened: Okay, now we have the head scratcher (yes, I know it's too early) but I might sell and save any investment I had on this one. The Vikings either came into the season overhyped (by myself, I know) or the unranked La Cueva Bears who handed them a 58-47 loss are better than predicted.
HIGHLAND HORNETS
Week Two Ranking: No. 23
What Happened: Okay of the, "What were we thinking" teams the Highland Hornets sold us early on the hype and we bought into it. This was definitely my fault on the buy, after 4-wins in 2014-2015 we should have played the cautionary tale. However, I didn't and the Hornets suffered a 73-47 beat down by the No. 9 Cleveland Storm. Oh yeah the Storm's best player is still playing football.
I Didn't (or Sort Of) Bought What You Were Selling - 3 Risers
VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS
Week Two Ranking: No. 11
What Happened: Ranked 11th would be a great spot on any level but the Hawks, said the heck with that and beat No. 8 Sandia on opening night, 60-48. Maybe, it's time we throw a little more love this way for the Hawks. The will likely be a Top-10 team come the tie for the NMPreps.com Team Rankings are released.
GADSDEN PANTHERS
Week Two Ranking: No. 17
What Happened: A LOT! Okay, I don't me to capitalize that (well I guess I did) but the Panthers have played a surprising 7 games, going 5-2 in them. What happened last week was a win over Alamogordo, 61-42 that will only help come March when the selection committee looks at the ENTIRE resume.
ESPANOLA VALLEY SUNDEVILS
Week Two Ranking: No. 22
What Happened: The Espanola Valley Sundevils received more praise last week but we felt to plug them in here with a 87-56 win over Taos. Maybe last week still had something to do with the position on the riser but the Sundevils could be a team on the rise (or maybe they were there already). Side note: Thoughts go to Coach Martinez who lost his mother.
NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Candidates
Finalist for this award will be released in March but we will track candidates all season long. This list could change each week, it could not change, it all depends on the candidates. Three a week.
Johnny McCants, F/2016, Onate HS: McCants led the highlight reel with five monster dunks, a two hand pin on the glass and countless plays. McCants went for 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in a week two win over No. 19 Los Lunas (52-32)
John Paul Garcia, G/2016, Tucumcari HS: The small school division player poured in 41 points and 8-assists during a week two win over Floyd. Garcia could be one of the first players from this division to get serious consideration for the award if he's putting up 41 point games.
Gabe Bump, G/2016, Albuquerque HS: Bump led the No. 6 Albuquerque High Bulldogs to an impressive opening night win over No. 2 Rio Rancho during week two. Bump finished the evening with 24-points in the win.
New To The Game - Week Two Top Performances
Each week we will highlight new names to our list or players who had big games. Please submit yours each week. Link:
Top Performers from Week 2
Jose Rodriguez, G/2017, Rio Grande HS: Rodriguez had a coming out party during week two with a 27 (or 29) point performance. He helped lead the Ravens to a convincing 84-57 win over Santa Fe.
Michael Castillo, G/2016, Hatch Valley HS: New name on the block as Michael Castillo opened the season with a 35-point performance. Castillo helped guide the unranked Bears to a win over Animas.
Simeon Moya, F/2016, La Cueva HS: Moya, helped the Bears open the season with a 15 point performance as the unranked Bears upset the No. 3 Valley Vikings. Moya will be one that we keep a closer eye on this season.
RAPID FIRE
- Holy.....cowpie: West Las Vegas beat Hot Springs 102-16. Not to sure what happened in this one.
- Top Ranked Underdog? Sounds funny but not getting much love as the No 2 team in 5A but a 87-60 win over Mayfield is convincing.
- Saterfields: Mentioned that they are both out for the year for transfer rules.
- Rebound: Gallup pounded Del Norte 68-37 and maybe the Bengals are better than a first week loss.
SMALL SCHOOL DIVISION
No. 3 Tucumcari Rattlers: Mentioned above but the Rattlers took it to Floyd, while their sharp shooter John Paul Garcia poured in 41 points in three quarters of play.
No. 7 Escalante Lobos: The Lobos put in a season opening win over Cuba. The Lobos could be in the hunt for the title this season.
No. 20 Pecos Panthers: The Panthers had a great week with wins over big school division teams 4A Wingate and 4A Hot Springs.
WEEK TWO SCORES
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Monday, November 23rd
Cibola 69, Eldorado 56
Hatch 72, Animas 45
La Cueva 58, Valley 47
McCurdy 61, Santa FePrep 60
Sandia 63, Atrisco 56
Tuesday, November 24th
Albuquerque 79, Rio Rancho 67
Belen 69, Socorro 54
Bosque 42, East Mountain 31
Cleveland 73, Highland 47
Espanola 87, Taos 56
Gadsden 61, Alamogordo 42
Gallup 68, Del Norte 37
Grants 90, Farmington 67
Manzano 64 Moriarty 38
Newcomb 65, Mescalero Apache 43
Onate 52, Los Lunas 32
Rio Grande 84, Santa Fe 57
Quemado 58, Evangel Christian 48
San Juan (UT) 73, Shiprock 57
Tucumcari 95, Floyd 43
Volcano Vista 60, Sandia 48
West Mesa 48, Sandia Prep 40
Friday, November 27th
Navajo Pine 80, St. Michael (AZ) 24
Pecos 70, Wingate 55
West Las Vegas 102, Hot Springs 16
Saturday, November 28th
Dulce 71, Navajo Pine 60
Escalante 61, Cuba 53
Pecos 75, Hot Springs 48
Pojoaque Valley 55, Socorro 32
Questa 60, Springer 59
Roswell 87, Mayfield 60
West Las Vegas 59, Wingate 38
Tweet At Me: Highlights and Photos From the Night
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