#1 Melrose Lady Buffaloes
Record: 21-6 overall (7-1 district)
Head Coach: Caleb King
Preview: The Lady Buffs’ stacked their schedule with a lot of tough road games and challenges throughout the season. And it paid off with the 1-seed, their first 1-seed since the 2012 state tournament in which they ended up winning. Melrose is led by a quick Nataley Mondragon, a tough Shannon May, and a promising sophomore in Hailey Martin.
Last Championship: 2016 vs. Logan. Last appearance was in last year’s 1A final against Elida. Melrose has made four straight state tournament finals in their respective class.
#2 Tatum Lady Coyotes
Record: 24-4 overall (10-0 district)
Head Coach: Vince Homer
Preview: In eight of the last ten years, Tatum has posted a 20-plus win season. Now back on their grind under new head coach Vince Homer, the Lady Coyotes are eyeing that state title but have quite the road to get there. Led by a high scoring group of seniors in Celeste Jimenez, Maddy Rice, and Abigail Duran, Tatum has the scoring prowess to give teams problems if they decide to focus on just one of these three players.
Last Championship: 2017 vs. Escalante (last title game appearance as well)
#3 Logan Lady Longhorns
Record: 22-6 overall (7-1 district)
Head Coach: Glynna Strand
Preview: Logan was in contention for the #1 seed but with their fairly lopsided record against Melrose, they had to settle for the 3-seed. It’s been a rough season, but late they’ve shown spurts of what they could be moving into the tournament. The loss of Karli Webb to injury forced the collective to step their game up. Players like senior Harlie Roach, Jordan Hines, and Kassi Foote have had to step their game up. Especially if they want to get far into this loaded tournament.
Last Championship: 2013 vs. Melrose. Last title game appearance 2016 vs. Melrose.
#4 Pine Hill Lady Warriors
Record: 25-2 overall (10-0 district)
Head Coach: Carlett Daniels
Preview: Watch out, 1A. Pine Hill has been building over the past four years for a run like this. The quick rez ball pace and shooting has led to Pine Hill leading the class in points scored per game at 64 ppg. The Lady Warriors are paced by a trio of juniors in Joy Pino, Hazel Begay, and Cheyanne Harrison.
Last Championship: None with no title game appearances
#5 Cliff Cowgirls
Record: 20-7 overall (5-1 district)
Head Coach: Matthew Gutierrez
Preview: Cliff is finally coming back around and in Coach Gutierrez’s second season they posted their best win record since the 2013-14 season. The District 2 champs are sleeper favorites going forward. They boast a duo of seniors in 5’7” guard Kaitlyn Trotter and 5’11” center Jamie Jenkins. Both equate to a serious mismatch, plus help from a rising sophomore in Kimberly Gutierrez and 6’1” junior Kristen Horn have given problems for teams in scoring and defending against they sheer height of this Cowgirl squad.
Last Championship: 2001 vs. Elida. Last title game appearance in 2014 vs. Tatum.
#6 Quemado Lady Eagles
Record: 20-8 overall (4-2 district)
Head Coach: Blaine Atwood
Preview: In Coach Atwood’s second season, the Lady Eagles once again posted a 20-win season, a back-to-back feat they haven’t done in the last 13 seasons of the program. Although they aren’t the tallest group of players, the District 2 runner-up showed they can play with almost any team in the class. Senior Samantha Bryant and Angela Lackey both lead this team as two of four seniors rostered. Quemado is hoping to repeat last year’s run but this time make it through the semifinals to the final for a shot at their first title ever.
Last Championship: None with no title game appearances.
#7 Animas Lady Panthers
Record: 19-9 overall (3-3 district)
Head Coach: Tracey Jackson
Preview: Animas didn’t close out on the district run they wanted, but getting one over Cliff was sure the confidence boost. In their third year under Coach Jackson, the Lady Panthers are looking to not only get their 20th win, second in Jackson tenure, but past the first round. Last year they were upset by the Lady Blues of Roy/Mosquero. This year though, I’m sure they’re not taking their opponent lightly. Animas anchored by the play of senior Tierney Washburn.
Last Championship: 2008 vs. Magdalena (last title game appearances as well)
#8 Cimarron Lady Rams
Record: 18-9 overall (8-0 district)
Head Coach: Ashley Gonzales
Preview: In the three seasons under Coach Ashley Gonzales, this is the first one where the Lady Rams didn’t finish exactly at .500. Now hosting a first round game, the district 5 champions look to build on their success this season with a win and run at the title game in Bernalillo next week. The Lady Rams are led by stellar senior Angel Gonzales, senior Mary Ickes, and junior Zoe Salazar.
Last Championship: 2009 vs. Des Moines. Last title game appearance was 2015 vs. Elida.
The Rest of the Field:
#9 Elida Lady Tigers (15-8 overall; 8-2 district) – The chance at a record nine consecutive state titles starts on the road. It’s been a tough season, but Elida has the players to make a run in the Bargas sisters, Alyssa and Cambree, and Madison Ferguson.
#10 Jemez Valley Lady Warriors (18-8; 7-3) – The Lady Warriors of Jemez look to get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015. The seniors, Keona Gachupin and Anndria Gachupin lead the charge.
#11 Des Moines Lady Demons (15-10; 6-2) – The district 5 runner-up Lady Demons take quite a road trip to get to their first-round game in Quemado. It’ll be up to the lone senior Angie Lopez to lead the way for Des Moines.
#12 Fort Sumner Vixens (13-13; 4-4) – Entering the tournament at .500 might make some teams seem less intimidating, but this group from Fort Sumner might be the most dangerous .500 team in the state. Junior Delaney Oberg leads a roster of only one senior in the first roud. (Shouts to Coach Segura in ensuring his girls aren’t dunking before game time or halftime)
#13 Roy/Mosquero Lady Blues (16-7; 4-4) – The Lady Blues got a nice article in the Journal, but they’ll need a bit more than fan support (like probably a bench) if they want that first round upset in Pine Hill. They’re led by sophomore Riley Clavel who may led the class in scoring at 25-plus per game.
#14 Hondo Valley Lady Eagles (17-10; 7-0) – In their first year with head coach Adam Herrera, the Lady Eagles wrapped up an undefeated district run and became tournament champions. They’re led by seniors Blanca Villanueva and Nina Herrera.
#15 Dora Lady Coyotes (15-11; 6-4) – If there’s something six-year head coach Gabriel Montoya has in his tenure as Dora’s head coach it’s consistency. They haven’t had a losing season yet and if they want to keep the season going they’ll need a big game from 5’9” senior Tay Urioste.
#16 To’hajiilee Lady Warriors (13-12; 7-4) – To’hajiilee just posted their first back-to-back winning seasons since the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Lady Warriors will be led by seniors Nicolette Begay, and Trista Apache.
Record: 21-6 overall (7-1 district)
Head Coach: Caleb King
Preview: The Lady Buffs’ stacked their schedule with a lot of tough road games and challenges throughout the season. And it paid off with the 1-seed, their first 1-seed since the 2012 state tournament in which they ended up winning. Melrose is led by a quick Nataley Mondragon, a tough Shannon May, and a promising sophomore in Hailey Martin.
Last Championship: 2016 vs. Logan. Last appearance was in last year’s 1A final against Elida. Melrose has made four straight state tournament finals in their respective class.
#2 Tatum Lady Coyotes
Record: 24-4 overall (10-0 district)
Head Coach: Vince Homer
Preview: In eight of the last ten years, Tatum has posted a 20-plus win season. Now back on their grind under new head coach Vince Homer, the Lady Coyotes are eyeing that state title but have quite the road to get there. Led by a high scoring group of seniors in Celeste Jimenez, Maddy Rice, and Abigail Duran, Tatum has the scoring prowess to give teams problems if they decide to focus on just one of these three players.
Last Championship: 2017 vs. Escalante (last title game appearance as well)
#3 Logan Lady Longhorns
Record: 22-6 overall (7-1 district)
Head Coach: Glynna Strand
Preview: Logan was in contention for the #1 seed but with their fairly lopsided record against Melrose, they had to settle for the 3-seed. It’s been a rough season, but late they’ve shown spurts of what they could be moving into the tournament. The loss of Karli Webb to injury forced the collective to step their game up. Players like senior Harlie Roach, Jordan Hines, and Kassi Foote have had to step their game up. Especially if they want to get far into this loaded tournament.
Last Championship: 2013 vs. Melrose. Last title game appearance 2016 vs. Melrose.
#4 Pine Hill Lady Warriors
Record: 25-2 overall (10-0 district)
Head Coach: Carlett Daniels
Preview: Watch out, 1A. Pine Hill has been building over the past four years for a run like this. The quick rez ball pace and shooting has led to Pine Hill leading the class in points scored per game at 64 ppg. The Lady Warriors are paced by a trio of juniors in Joy Pino, Hazel Begay, and Cheyanne Harrison.
Last Championship: None with no title game appearances
#5 Cliff Cowgirls
Record: 20-7 overall (5-1 district)
Head Coach: Matthew Gutierrez
Preview: Cliff is finally coming back around and in Coach Gutierrez’s second season they posted their best win record since the 2013-14 season. The District 2 champs are sleeper favorites going forward. They boast a duo of seniors in 5’7” guard Kaitlyn Trotter and 5’11” center Jamie Jenkins. Both equate to a serious mismatch, plus help from a rising sophomore in Kimberly Gutierrez and 6’1” junior Kristen Horn have given problems for teams in scoring and defending against they sheer height of this Cowgirl squad.
Last Championship: 2001 vs. Elida. Last title game appearance in 2014 vs. Tatum.
#6 Quemado Lady Eagles
Record: 20-8 overall (4-2 district)
Head Coach: Blaine Atwood
Preview: In Coach Atwood’s second season, the Lady Eagles once again posted a 20-win season, a back-to-back feat they haven’t done in the last 13 seasons of the program. Although they aren’t the tallest group of players, the District 2 runner-up showed they can play with almost any team in the class. Senior Samantha Bryant and Angela Lackey both lead this team as two of four seniors rostered. Quemado is hoping to repeat last year’s run but this time make it through the semifinals to the final for a shot at their first title ever.
Last Championship: None with no title game appearances.
#7 Animas Lady Panthers
Record: 19-9 overall (3-3 district)
Head Coach: Tracey Jackson
Preview: Animas didn’t close out on the district run they wanted, but getting one over Cliff was sure the confidence boost. In their third year under Coach Jackson, the Lady Panthers are looking to not only get their 20th win, second in Jackson tenure, but past the first round. Last year they were upset by the Lady Blues of Roy/Mosquero. This year though, I’m sure they’re not taking their opponent lightly. Animas anchored by the play of senior Tierney Washburn.
Last Championship: 2008 vs. Magdalena (last title game appearances as well)
#8 Cimarron Lady Rams
Record: 18-9 overall (8-0 district)
Head Coach: Ashley Gonzales
Preview: In the three seasons under Coach Ashley Gonzales, this is the first one where the Lady Rams didn’t finish exactly at .500. Now hosting a first round game, the district 5 champions look to build on their success this season with a win and run at the title game in Bernalillo next week. The Lady Rams are led by stellar senior Angel Gonzales, senior Mary Ickes, and junior Zoe Salazar.
Last Championship: 2009 vs. Des Moines. Last title game appearance was 2015 vs. Elida.
The Rest of the Field:
#9 Elida Lady Tigers (15-8 overall; 8-2 district) – The chance at a record nine consecutive state titles starts on the road. It’s been a tough season, but Elida has the players to make a run in the Bargas sisters, Alyssa and Cambree, and Madison Ferguson.
#10 Jemez Valley Lady Warriors (18-8; 7-3) – The Lady Warriors of Jemez look to get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015. The seniors, Keona Gachupin and Anndria Gachupin lead the charge.
#11 Des Moines Lady Demons (15-10; 6-2) – The district 5 runner-up Lady Demons take quite a road trip to get to their first-round game in Quemado. It’ll be up to the lone senior Angie Lopez to lead the way for Des Moines.
#12 Fort Sumner Vixens (13-13; 4-4) – Entering the tournament at .500 might make some teams seem less intimidating, but this group from Fort Sumner might be the most dangerous .500 team in the state. Junior Delaney Oberg leads a roster of only one senior in the first roud. (Shouts to Coach Segura in ensuring his girls aren’t dunking before game time or halftime)
#13 Roy/Mosquero Lady Blues (16-7; 4-4) – The Lady Blues got a nice article in the Journal, but they’ll need a bit more than fan support (like probably a bench) if they want that first round upset in Pine Hill. They’re led by sophomore Riley Clavel who may led the class in scoring at 25-plus per game.
#14 Hondo Valley Lady Eagles (17-10; 7-0) – In their first year with head coach Adam Herrera, the Lady Eagles wrapped up an undefeated district run and became tournament champions. They’re led by seniors Blanca Villanueva and Nina Herrera.
#15 Dora Lady Coyotes (15-11; 6-4) – If there’s something six-year head coach Gabriel Montoya has in his tenure as Dora’s head coach it’s consistency. They haven’t had a losing season yet and if they want to keep the season going they’ll need a big game from 5’9” senior Tay Urioste.
#16 To’hajiilee Lady Warriors (13-12; 7-4) – To’hajiilee just posted their first back-to-back winning seasons since the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Lady Warriors will be led by seniors Nicolette Begay, and Trista Apache.
