10 Hot Teams Heading Into 2016
Joshua J. Grine
Today, we take a look at the ten hottest teams heading into 2016. After an exciting 2015 start we can only imagine how unpredictable 2016 will be.
1. Magdalena Steers (8-0) - 2A
Another team that is among the final undefeated teams in the state of New Mexico the Steers are currently riding an impressive 39-game win streak dating back to last season. Also, the Steers are 68-2 over the span of three years.
Player to Watch: Jorrell Mirabal
2. Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars (Record: 5-4) - 6A
Its hard to pick against the Jaguars being one of the hottest teams heading into the New Year. After dropping their first four games of the season the Jaguars have pulled off 5-straight wins including the 2015 Village of Los Lunas Tournament to end 2015.
Player to Watch: Estevan Martinez
3. Capital Jaguars (10-1) - 5A
One of the first teams in the state to reach double digit wins on the season the Jaguars also have one of the longest win streaks at 9 games. The Jaguars dominated the competition in their final three games by scores (50-23, 63-33 & 67-26).
Player to Watch: Eric Coca
4. Grants Pirates (9-2) - 5A
The Pirates could have been the story for the first half of the season with an impressive showing at the California Holiday Tournament going 3-1 with wins over Kelso, Washington, Cabrillo, California and Mission Vista, California.
Player to Watch: Mike Chambers
5. Hope Christian Huskies (8-1) - 4A
The Huskies are riding a 6-game winning streak along with winning the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic before ending 2015. The Huskies are not only the best team in 4A but could be considered one of the best teams in New Mexico regardless of classification. The Huskies have wins over Top-25 teams Albuquerque High, Espanola Valley, Los Lunas and Sandia.
Player to Watch: Jordan Leake
6. Cibola Cougars (7-1) - 6A
Currently holding the longest win streak in 6A basketball with 6-striaght wins the Cougars have come out of nowhere to place themselves in the argument of Final Four teams. The Cougars are playing well as of late and have several players who have stepped into the role as go-to player, having several players leading in points on any given night.
Player to Watch: Desmond Carpenter
7. Robertson Cardinals (7-2) - 4A
The Cardinals were mentioned as one of the programs on the rise for the 2015-2016 but an impressive showing winning the 62nd Annual Stu Clark Invite the Cardinals have arrived. The Cardinals will likely be ranked in the Top-25 for the first time in program history.
Player to Watch: Sebastian Gonzales
8. Lordsburg Mavericks (8-0) - 3A
I know we are guilty of not showing enough love to Small School Division hoops but the Mavericks are a program to watch. Currently one of the last undefeated teams in the state of New Mexico at 8-0 the Mavericks looked to be primed to get over the hill come March.
Player to Watch: Raymond Saucedo
9. Valley Vikings (6-2) - 6A
The Vikings are currently ranked No. 1 in the state of New Mexico regardless of classification. Also they are riding a 5-game winning streak heading into the New Year. The Vikings program could rank among the best basketball programs in the last three years for 6A basketball.
Player to Watch: Anthony Chavez
10. Gadsden Panthers (10-4) - 6A
The Panthers are one of the first teams to reach 10-wins on the season along with Capital but the Panthers program was once a doormat has now become a Top-25 regular. The Panthers look to make the tournament again this season and could be in play for the District Championship.
Player to Watch: Tomas Cano
Joshua J. Grine
Today, we take a look at the ten hottest teams heading into 2016. After an exciting 2015 start we can only imagine how unpredictable 2016 will be.
1. Magdalena Steers (8-0) - 2A
Another team that is among the final undefeated teams in the state of New Mexico the Steers are currently riding an impressive 39-game win streak dating back to last season. Also, the Steers are 68-2 over the span of three years.
Player to Watch: Jorrell Mirabal
2. Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars (Record: 5-4) - 6A
Its hard to pick against the Jaguars being one of the hottest teams heading into the New Year. After dropping their first four games of the season the Jaguars have pulled off 5-straight wins including the 2015 Village of Los Lunas Tournament to end 2015.
Player to Watch: Estevan Martinez
3. Capital Jaguars (10-1) - 5A
One of the first teams in the state to reach double digit wins on the season the Jaguars also have one of the longest win streaks at 9 games. The Jaguars dominated the competition in their final three games by scores (50-23, 63-33 & 67-26).
Player to Watch: Eric Coca
4. Grants Pirates (9-2) - 5A
The Pirates could have been the story for the first half of the season with an impressive showing at the California Holiday Tournament going 3-1 with wins over Kelso, Washington, Cabrillo, California and Mission Vista, California.
Player to Watch: Mike Chambers
5. Hope Christian Huskies (8-1) - 4A
The Huskies are riding a 6-game winning streak along with winning the Rio Rancho Holiday Classic before ending 2015. The Huskies are not only the best team in 4A but could be considered one of the best teams in New Mexico regardless of classification. The Huskies have wins over Top-25 teams Albuquerque High, Espanola Valley, Los Lunas and Sandia.
Player to Watch: Jordan Leake
6. Cibola Cougars (7-1) - 6A
Currently holding the longest win streak in 6A basketball with 6-striaght wins the Cougars have come out of nowhere to place themselves in the argument of Final Four teams. The Cougars are playing well as of late and have several players who have stepped into the role as go-to player, having several players leading in points on any given night.
Player to Watch: Desmond Carpenter
7. Robertson Cardinals (7-2) - 4A
The Cardinals were mentioned as one of the programs on the rise for the 2015-2016 but an impressive showing winning the 62nd Annual Stu Clark Invite the Cardinals have arrived. The Cardinals will likely be ranked in the Top-25 for the first time in program history.
Player to Watch: Sebastian Gonzales
8. Lordsburg Mavericks (8-0) - 3A
I know we are guilty of not showing enough love to Small School Division hoops but the Mavericks are a program to watch. Currently one of the last undefeated teams in the state of New Mexico at 8-0 the Mavericks looked to be primed to get over the hill come March.
Player to Watch: Raymond Saucedo
9. Valley Vikings (6-2) - 6A
The Vikings are currently ranked No. 1 in the state of New Mexico regardless of classification. Also they are riding a 5-game winning streak heading into the New Year. The Vikings program could rank among the best basketball programs in the last three years for 6A basketball.
Player to Watch: Anthony Chavez
10. Gadsden Panthers (10-4) - 6A
The Panthers are one of the first teams to reach 10-wins on the season along with Capital but the Panthers program was once a doormat has now become a Top-25 regular. The Panthers look to make the tournament again this season and could be in play for the District Championship.
Player to Watch: Tomas Cano
