2021 New Mexico High School State Tournament First Round Preview
Selection Saturday night is officially in the books, and the 2021 State Tournament is here. This season each bracket will only feature 8-teams and NMPreps will preview each classification to get you prepared for each game.
5A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Hobbs vs No. 8 Sandia, 6pm
No. 2 Volcano Vista vs No. 7 La Cueva, 7pm
No. 3 Centennial vs No. 6 Eldorado, 7pm
No. 4 Los Lunas vs No. 5 Cleveland, 4:30pm (at Cleveland)
The Favorites: No. 1 Hobbs, No. 2 Volcano Vista
There's nothing much more to say here that hasn't been mentioned - the Hobbs Eagles are a juggernaut. They feature the top-ranked player from the 2023 class and third overall regardless of classification in Wisdom Anthony. We should also mention they have the top-ranked head coach in New Mexico in Joey Carpenter. The Volcano Vista Hawks sitting passenger to the Eagles again will look to battle and have a tall order in the opening round. They do have a pair of Top-25 players and as of recently, number four ranked prospect Natalia Chavez earned an offer from Division I Colorado State University. Both teams enter the postseason with a 10-0 overall record and looking for a rematch on the final day.
The Bracket Buster: No. 4 Los Lunas
The Los Lunas Tigers head coach Marty Zeller has the pedigree to take the Tiger far in the tournament. The Tigers won three consecutive state champions in 4A basketball before moving up to 5A this season and are still looking to end their season at the top. They moved their first-round home game to Rio Rancho at Cleveland High School against the 6-seed Cleveland Storm in order to have fans. The Tigers also feature a serious trio of next-level players in Natalie Jojola (Western Colorado commit), Feleena Candelaria (Adams State commit), and Mia Guest (Colorado Christian). The Tigers are 11-1 on the season with the lone loss to Hobbs, 55-32.
Potentnial 5-8 Seed To Finals: No. 7 La Cueva, No. 6 Eldorado
We had to pick two teams here today with the 5A bracket being absolutely loaded. Truthfully, I feel 7 of 8 teams could win it all and although Hobbs will likely beat Sandia, the Matadors are a top-eight squad. It was a bummer that Farmington missed out on that tough district. Back to these two squads. Centennial is having a great season at 12-0 and got better as the season went on. They also have a duo in Larissa Laborin (2022) and Aspen Salazar (2023) that continues to catch our eye. The team standing in front of them though is an upset brewing senior duo of Hayley Valencia and Cece Barela of Eldorado. If anything I can feel a battle taking place. I'm torn with placing La Cueva in the mix but honestly, they might be one of the toughest 7-seed teams a 2-seed has to face with the backcourt of Rylie Ottmann (2022) and Jerzie Jones (2022).
Grine's Bracket: Hobbs over Volcano Vista in the SC; Hobbs over Los Lunas & Volcano Vista over Centennial in the Final Four. No upsets although I know there is going to at least be one.
4A BASKETBALL
No.1 Del Norte (9-1) vs No. 8 Highland (7-3 overall), 7pm
No. 2 Artesia (9-3) vs No. 7 Silver (8-3 overall), 2pm
No. 3 Gallup (9-1) vs No. 6 Bernalillo (10-2 overall), 7pm
No. 4 Espanola Valley (9-3) vs No. 5 Kirtland Central (10-1 overall), 5pm
3A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Navajo Prep vs No. 8 Thoreau, 6pm
No. 2 West Las Vegas vs No. 7 Tohatchi, 6pm (at Bernalillo HS)
No. 3 Dexter vs No. 6 Robertson, 5pm
No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep, 6:30pm
The Favorite: No. 1 Navajo Prep (11-0 overall)
Well, the defending champs haven't missed a beat and looking to claim another state championship. After going perfect during the regular season the Eagles have been getting better as the season progresses. First-round opponent, 8-seed Thoreau, also having one of their best years hope a third round with the Eagles will play into their favor. The two district foes met a couple of times, Thoreau only lost by ten in the first game. Already being considered one of the top girl's head coaches in the state, head coach Rainy Crisp would only put a stamp on that claim.
Upset Special: No. 6 Robertson (8-4 overall)
This one was surprisingly not moved to a neutral site but the Robertson Cardinals could use that as a chance to win and take one home on the long bus ride. The Cardinals will need to be the first team to beat the Dexter Demons who are 11-0 and the 3-seed in today's first round. Robertson's inside presence of Jayden Jenkins, 17 points and 12 rebounds per game, could create issues for Dexter.
Shocker: No. 7 Tohatchi (8-4 overall)
This could be a stretch. However, the Tohatchi Lady Cougars have been tested and three of their four losses come to the like of Navajo Prep (the top seed) and one to Gallup a top seed in 4A. Yes, the Zuni loss is ugly but I wouldn't be shocked to see Tohatchi pull this one off.
Game to Watch: No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep
Hatch Valley enters the contest 11-1 and 7-0 at home. They are led by Makenzie Williams who is averaging around 14.2 points per game this season. Sandia Prep from Albuquerque brings a 9-2 overall record into the game and will look to Destiny Archibald who is averaging 17 points per game. Hatch Valley can put points up and can't allow for Sandia Prep to slow in down creating a halfcourt game.
Grine's Picks: Navajo Prep beats Tohatchi for SC; Navajo Prep beats Hatch Valley & Tohatchi beats Tohatchi.
2A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Pecos vs No. 8 Rehoboth Christian, 4pm
No. 2 Lordsburg vs No. 7 ATC, 4pm (at Hatch Valley HS)
No. 3 Mescalero Apache vs No. 6 Clayton, 5:30pm (at Portales HS)
No. 4 Escalante vs No. 5 Tatum, TBA
The Favorite: No. 1 Pecos
The Pecos Panthers are in a familiar spot as the top-seed in the state tournament. This time the Panthers (11-0 overall) will be the favorite with head coach Bryan Gonzales at the helm and looking to bring the state championship back to Pecos as they did in 2019 under Ron Drake. This season take a look at Trinity Herrera (2021) as she is averaging 17 points per game along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Bracket Buster: No. 3 Mescalero Apache
Does it count for being considered the bracket buster when you are also the defending state champion? Well, the Cheifs are here, again and again, they could be a team that plays on the final day after posting an 11-1 overall record. They are doing it by committee this season and the inside presence of Madisyn Yuzos (2021) could be an issue for most teams. Their lone loss was to 2-seed Lordsburg, a team they also beat, making for an intriguing potential Final Four meeting.
Players to Watch: Mandy Crisp (Clayton), Madison Miller (Lordsburg), Trinity Herrera (Pecos), and Perla Miramontes (ATC).
Crisp leads the way in 2A basketball with 22 points per game this season. All are seniors minus Miramontes who is a freshman for ATC and is averaging 12 points per game as she guides the 7-seed team into the state tournament.
Grine's Picks: Lordsburg over Pecos in the SC; Pecos over Tatum & Lordsburg over Mescalero Apache in the Final Four.
1A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Roy/Mosquero vs No. 8 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove, 5:30pm
No. 2 Fort Sumner vs No. 7 Ramah, 3pm (at Moriarty HS)
No. 3 Melrose vs No. 6 Gateway Christian, 4pm
No. 4 Alamo Navajo vs No. 5 Animas, 4pm (at Hot Springs)
The Favorite: No. 1 Roy/Mosquero
She's been one of the best players for two years now and Riley Clavel (2021) only seemed to get better this season. She is averaging 22 points per game, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest. She also has Tanna Crisp (2023) adding an extra 17 points per game for the undefeated (12-0) Lady Blue of Roy/Mosquero. The Lady Blue takes on Evangel Christian/Oak Grove in the opening round. The Eagles are 5-5 on the season and won the single district game over Coronado.
Final Four Delight: No. 3 Melrose, No. 2 Fort Sumner
Hailey Martin (2021) and the Melrose Buffaloes are 10-1 on the season with the lone loss against the Fort Sumner squad. Well, the Fort Sumner team is 9-1 with its lone loss coming a week ago by one point to Melrose. So the two teams know each other and it will create a great round three. Melrose takes on No. 6 Gateway Christian and Fort Sumner will take on No. 7 Ramah in the opening round.
Upset Special: No. 5 Animas
The Lady Panthers of Animas High School (8-3 overall) enter the game as the 5-seed but are the favorites to take the opening round contest against No. 4 Alamo Navajo Cougars. Animas also has the chance at being considered the dark horse in the bunch and a Final Four with Roy could become one to watch. A reminder this game is taking place at 4 pm on Monday at Hot Springs High School.
Grine's Picks: Fort Sumner over Animas for the SC; Fort Sumner over Melrose and Animas over Roy in the Final Four.
Selection Saturday night is officially in the books, and the 2021 State Tournament is here. This season each bracket will only feature 8-teams and NMPreps will preview each classification to get you prepared for each game.
5A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Hobbs vs No. 8 Sandia, 6pm
No. 2 Volcano Vista vs No. 7 La Cueva, 7pm
No. 3 Centennial vs No. 6 Eldorado, 7pm
No. 4 Los Lunas vs No. 5 Cleveland, 4:30pm (at Cleveland)
The Favorites: No. 1 Hobbs, No. 2 Volcano Vista
There's nothing much more to say here that hasn't been mentioned - the Hobbs Eagles are a juggernaut. They feature the top-ranked player from the 2023 class and third overall regardless of classification in Wisdom Anthony. We should also mention they have the top-ranked head coach in New Mexico in Joey Carpenter. The Volcano Vista Hawks sitting passenger to the Eagles again will look to battle and have a tall order in the opening round. They do have a pair of Top-25 players and as of recently, number four ranked prospect Natalia Chavez earned an offer from Division I Colorado State University. Both teams enter the postseason with a 10-0 overall record and looking for a rematch on the final day.
The Bracket Buster: No. 4 Los Lunas
The Los Lunas Tigers head coach Marty Zeller has the pedigree to take the Tiger far in the tournament. The Tigers won three consecutive state champions in 4A basketball before moving up to 5A this season and are still looking to end their season at the top. They moved their first-round home game to Rio Rancho at Cleveland High School against the 6-seed Cleveland Storm in order to have fans. The Tigers also feature a serious trio of next-level players in Natalie Jojola (Western Colorado commit), Feleena Candelaria (Adams State commit), and Mia Guest (Colorado Christian). The Tigers are 11-1 on the season with the lone loss to Hobbs, 55-32.
Potentnial 5-8 Seed To Finals: No. 7 La Cueva, No. 6 Eldorado
We had to pick two teams here today with the 5A bracket being absolutely loaded. Truthfully, I feel 7 of 8 teams could win it all and although Hobbs will likely beat Sandia, the Matadors are a top-eight squad. It was a bummer that Farmington missed out on that tough district. Back to these two squads. Centennial is having a great season at 12-0 and got better as the season went on. They also have a duo in Larissa Laborin (2022) and Aspen Salazar (2023) that continues to catch our eye. The team standing in front of them though is an upset brewing senior duo of Hayley Valencia and Cece Barela of Eldorado. If anything I can feel a battle taking place. I'm torn with placing La Cueva in the mix but honestly, they might be one of the toughest 7-seed teams a 2-seed has to face with the backcourt of Rylie Ottmann (2022) and Jerzie Jones (2022).
Grine's Bracket: Hobbs over Volcano Vista in the SC; Hobbs over Los Lunas & Volcano Vista over Centennial in the Final Four. No upsets although I know there is going to at least be one.
4A BASKETBALL
No.1 Del Norte (9-1) vs No. 8 Highland (7-3 overall), 7pm
No. 2 Artesia (9-3) vs No. 7 Silver (8-3 overall), 2pm
No. 3 Gallup (9-1) vs No. 6 Bernalillo (10-2 overall), 7pm
No. 4 Espanola Valley (9-3) vs No. 5 Kirtland Central (10-1 overall), 5pm
3A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Navajo Prep vs No. 8 Thoreau, 6pm
No. 2 West Las Vegas vs No. 7 Tohatchi, 6pm (at Bernalillo HS)
No. 3 Dexter vs No. 6 Robertson, 5pm
No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep, 6:30pm
The Favorite: No. 1 Navajo Prep (11-0 overall)
Well, the defending champs haven't missed a beat and looking to claim another state championship. After going perfect during the regular season the Eagles have been getting better as the season progresses. First-round opponent, 8-seed Thoreau, also having one of their best years hope a third round with the Eagles will play into their favor. The two district foes met a couple of times, Thoreau only lost by ten in the first game. Already being considered one of the top girl's head coaches in the state, head coach Rainy Crisp would only put a stamp on that claim.
Upset Special: No. 6 Robertson (8-4 overall)
This one was surprisingly not moved to a neutral site but the Robertson Cardinals could use that as a chance to win and take one home on the long bus ride. The Cardinals will need to be the first team to beat the Dexter Demons who are 11-0 and the 3-seed in today's first round. Robertson's inside presence of Jayden Jenkins, 17 points and 12 rebounds per game, could create issues for Dexter.
Shocker: No. 7 Tohatchi (8-4 overall)
This could be a stretch. However, the Tohatchi Lady Cougars have been tested and three of their four losses come to the like of Navajo Prep (the top seed) and one to Gallup a top seed in 4A. Yes, the Zuni loss is ugly but I wouldn't be shocked to see Tohatchi pull this one off.
Game to Watch: No. 4 Hatch Valley vs No. 5 Sandia Prep
Hatch Valley enters the contest 11-1 and 7-0 at home. They are led by Makenzie Williams who is averaging around 14.2 points per game this season. Sandia Prep from Albuquerque brings a 9-2 overall record into the game and will look to Destiny Archibald who is averaging 17 points per game. Hatch Valley can put points up and can't allow for Sandia Prep to slow in down creating a halfcourt game.
Grine's Picks: Navajo Prep beats Tohatchi for SC; Navajo Prep beats Hatch Valley & Tohatchi beats Tohatchi.
2A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Pecos vs No. 8 Rehoboth Christian, 4pm
No. 2 Lordsburg vs No. 7 ATC, 4pm (at Hatch Valley HS)
No. 3 Mescalero Apache vs No. 6 Clayton, 5:30pm (at Portales HS)
No. 4 Escalante vs No. 5 Tatum, TBA
The Favorite: No. 1 Pecos
The Pecos Panthers are in a familiar spot as the top-seed in the state tournament. This time the Panthers (11-0 overall) will be the favorite with head coach Bryan Gonzales at the helm and looking to bring the state championship back to Pecos as they did in 2019 under Ron Drake. This season take a look at Trinity Herrera (2021) as she is averaging 17 points per game along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Bracket Buster: No. 3 Mescalero Apache
Does it count for being considered the bracket buster when you are also the defending state champion? Well, the Cheifs are here, again and again, they could be a team that plays on the final day after posting an 11-1 overall record. They are doing it by committee this season and the inside presence of Madisyn Yuzos (2021) could be an issue for most teams. Their lone loss was to 2-seed Lordsburg, a team they also beat, making for an intriguing potential Final Four meeting.
Players to Watch: Mandy Crisp (Clayton), Madison Miller (Lordsburg), Trinity Herrera (Pecos), and Perla Miramontes (ATC).
Crisp leads the way in 2A basketball with 22 points per game this season. All are seniors minus Miramontes who is a freshman for ATC and is averaging 12 points per game as she guides the 7-seed team into the state tournament.
Grine's Picks: Lordsburg over Pecos in the SC; Pecos over Tatum & Lordsburg over Mescalero Apache in the Final Four.
1A BASKETBALL
No. 1 Roy/Mosquero vs No. 8 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove, 5:30pm
No. 2 Fort Sumner vs No. 7 Ramah, 3pm (at Moriarty HS)
No. 3 Melrose vs No. 6 Gateway Christian, 4pm
No. 4 Alamo Navajo vs No. 5 Animas, 4pm (at Hot Springs)
The Favorite: No. 1 Roy/Mosquero
She's been one of the best players for two years now and Riley Clavel (2021) only seemed to get better this season. She is averaging 22 points per game, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest. She also has Tanna Crisp (2023) adding an extra 17 points per game for the undefeated (12-0) Lady Blue of Roy/Mosquero. The Lady Blue takes on Evangel Christian/Oak Grove in the opening round. The Eagles are 5-5 on the season and won the single district game over Coronado.
Final Four Delight: No. 3 Melrose, No. 2 Fort Sumner
Hailey Martin (2021) and the Melrose Buffaloes are 10-1 on the season with the lone loss against the Fort Sumner squad. Well, the Fort Sumner team is 9-1 with its lone loss coming a week ago by one point to Melrose. So the two teams know each other and it will create a great round three. Melrose takes on No. 6 Gateway Christian and Fort Sumner will take on No. 7 Ramah in the opening round.
Upset Special: No. 5 Animas
The Lady Panthers of Animas High School (8-3 overall) enter the game as the 5-seed but are the favorites to take the opening round contest against No. 4 Alamo Navajo Cougars. Animas also has the chance at being considered the dark horse in the bunch and a Final Four with Roy could become one to watch. A reminder this game is taking place at 4 pm on Monday at Hot Springs High School.
Grine's Picks: Fort Sumner over Animas for the SC; Fort Sumner over Melrose and Animas over Roy in the Final Four.
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