Well, I have changed the 25 headlines that we are looking forward too in 2015-2016 to the 28 (I turned the magically 28 yesterday) so I found that number more fitting. Can't believe when I started at NMPreps.com the first time around I was 22-years old, going on 23. Time sure does fly by, this has been my community for a majority of my 20's, still talk with plenty of people via text that I have met around the state to this day. When you feel like talking hoops why not come here and pick something to talk about.
Okay my eulogy is over (joke).......
28 THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TOO
28. Okay, the obvious, I know it's basketball season because the weather is starting to change, the smell is a bit different and my phone is starting to pick up with coaches, basketball junkies and people ready to talk hoops. Oh yeah if I didn't mention I turned another year older, would say lost more hair but I don't really have anymore (haha). Oh yeah the NBA opening night is tonight and yes I will watch that over the World Series (bitter Dodgers fan). Okay, Ill flip back and forth. Anyhow, welcome to the 2015-2016 season, I love this game, NM and just being apart of the game. If you see me at a game, come chat or talk (be warned I'll keep you talking). Glad to be back.
27. Making my trip to Hobbs (maybe for the Holiday Classic) in December. Not only great basketball but the hospitality was unmatched so far. Remember that I love food (I rank the concession stands) and program T-shirts are my fav (haha). The tournament should feature more NM teams this year, only three were at my first visit.
26. The Rio Rancho trio. I found it fitting to put them here as I mentioned the three in the Top 25 Guards to Watch feature today. Snider, Hurt and Patterson are a solid trio for the Rams and this could be a special year.
25. Las Cruces basketball. Okay, I look forward to watching all four programs this season. All should be ranked in the 25 (Mayfield might need a year) but that is a wait and see.
24. Grants Alumni Game. Yup, yours truly will be lacing up the Nikes and attempting to run up and down the court in the Grants alumni on Nov. 14th. I get to go home and see the Pirates and I hope 9-1-1 is not called in the 1st quarter.
23. Johnny McCants (Onate): The first of many players on this countdown that will be a potential NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball candidate. We hear the good news about this young fella and we look forward to cover the first potential D-1 prospect from the 2016 class.
22. Cliff Cowboys. I have never made this trip to the SE corner of New Mexico to visit one of the most historic basketball programs in the state of New Mexico. Can they win another title this season? Head coach Brian Shock continues the Shock legacy and we look forward to seeing this dynasty continue.
21. Capital Jaguars and coach Ben Gomez. In my honest opinion they should have never let Gomez leave the first time. He took them their title in 2003 and was building a solid thing with that 2011 team. Well, the swag seems to be back and he has a guard that people are talking about, the last time he had a guard that still is referred to when me and my buddies talk hoops in Mikey Dominguez. Another special year? We will go see and we look forward to it.
20. City of Champions Tournament (Artesia). I found out that I am likely heading this way for that regular season tournament in December. For one I am excited because the field is always good and second I have yet to see the Bulldog PIT. That's the name, right? Any how I have been to Artesia once to purchase my truck from Tate Branch Auto (Damn great people) and look forward to going down there to cover this event. Any of you have a bracket?
19. Albuquerque High vs. Valley: I am looking forward to this match-up because it highlights two top guard among others in what will be a packed house. This district is going to run through this two teams (preseason wise) and I can't wait to see it.
18. APS Metro Championships: This is always a fun time and I am glad when they moved it to January a few years ago. What could be better than a 16-team tournament with 4 guaranteed games. Who is the favorite this year? Valley, Albuquerque High, Volcano are they in the mix?
17. Portales Rams, St. Mikes and West Las Vegas trying to unseat: These three teams (maybe Silver) will be on the hunt to upset Hope Christian, who own 4A. These four are the legitament contenders and I really like Coach McBroom in Portales. If you haven't met this coach, you should, first class and a great person.
16. Brenden Boatwright, Carlsbad: Another NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball candidate? I look forward to watching him this season. He is one of the top players in the state and we look forward to his progression.
15. Staying with C-Bad. Is this the team that takes them to the title game? Coach Brown has done an outstanding job with this program. Reminder they were once ranked as the worst 5A team at the time (2012), based off history of losing. This is definitely not the same program that he took over. I have yet to be to a game in Carlsbad, maybe it's time to check it out.
14. Onate Knights. We have heard plenty about the Knights and this could be one of those teams that takes it all. Coach Perez is a first class guy who always takes the time to help his team out and help the media out. I really like coaches who you know love coaching (all that is involved in it). He has a talented roster, maybe a couple new transfers (Saterfield's) and we all remember what the last talented team did, 2011 anyone?
13. Roswell basketball. Both programs. Coach Cooper is another coach that I have nothing but great things to say. You just know when a coach cares about what he does. I think it shows with his program being one of the top in the state. Well, I always want to say that it might not be a one horse town for hoops as the Rockets of Goddard have a trio of guards that make both teams final four worthy.
12. John Paul Garcia, Tucumcari. Yes, we have all heard the name before and I love this kid, because you know he lives in the Snake Pit (I believe that's what its called). Okay, when I compare it's to give a visual but the youngster has that Curry confidence. He stops, pops and has killer range. He might be one of the few NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Candidates that become a top-10 finalist. I'll have to look back if we had a finalist from the small school division.
11. Four Corners hoops and concession stands. Okay, you know I had to throw that in for a 28 things that I can't wait for. First, the four corners area love their hoops, they have amazing facilities (Shiprock, KC are top notch) but they also have some nice fry bread on the way in, and I load up for the ride home (haha). The four corners area should have some contenders with Corley having Farmington playing well again, Piedra Vista will be a threat and Kirtland Central will be a top team in 4A.
10. Hobbs vs. Clovis: No other rivalry out there brings the excitement like this one. Maybe not the highlight is was when both teams are ranked 1-2 or any place in the top-10 but will still have a packed house.
9. NMPreps Nation: We had a solid basketball board the last year I was here but this summer (my return) it has a different feel. Very knowledgeable and can tell the junkies are here, where they should be talking hoops. I look forward to the conversations on here. I can tell by the posts we have dudes who love their basketball. 9 b. thanks to the coaches and media personnel who have called and reached out lately, to talk hoops, just talk and kind words. New Mexico is a great distance but plenty of good people, media and coaches out there. Glad to be back on the media side but glad to be apart of both fraternities. Thanks again.
8. Marcus Williams, Cleveland HS: The forward has been on our radar since his freshman campaign when he was a pup hitting treys from outside. He will be an early candidate for the NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball as the keys are his now.
7. Can the Hawks of Centennial Repeat? They lost some players, have one of the top guards and 5A will be deep this season. They were fun to watch last season and I can't wait to see this team with a deadly halfcourt trap/pressure look to repeat.
6. Shot clock, refs and the rest. Every year we debate the shot clock. Should be taken more serious? Refs we all have our thoughts on the regions. District realignment is back and who goes up and down.
5. 3-year old, late nights on the computer and road trips. Nothing more important in this world to me than my little man (son Parker Grine) and many of you might see him going along with me this season. When he was born I would write features until midnight or early AM and he was in my lap as I wrote. Well, glad to take him with me to games this season (the kid that is under the bleachers, throwing a ball on the court or running on the court himself) that will be him. I love talking hoops or just talking up our kids in New Mexico and hope you will see that this season.
4. NMPreps.com Top 100 Players: I know one year we had to add 50 players making it a Top 150 and this year we have some of the most talent we have had in sometime. Plenty of players putting in work and it will hopefully bring a debate to last months on who we missed, who we got right and just the Top 100 in general.
3. Amaya Brown, Cibola: Thought I mentioned this already but how can we not be excited to watch a player of this caliber. UCONN has taken a look at her and we all should. Girl is a stud and if you didn't see my interview with her, she is a great kid with a great head on her shoulders. She plays for one of my favorite metro area coaches as well.
2. Jim Muprhy at Hope Christian: I like being able to witness a legend. I like that teams go on streaks and saying that I was able to see when he won all those titles. The Huskies are doing something special and yes many of us have our feelings towards this program but you have to appreciate what they are doing. I know I do. I can't wait to get out and see another Hope game maybe win another title (13th right?)
1. 2016 State Tournament. My last one I covered I went 5 days and didn't miss one single game 7AM to midnight some nights. No sleep, over priced Lobo dogs and getting to chat with buddies on the media row. In 2012 sitting next to Buzz Williams (Virginia Tech head coach) was something I will remember. Good times down there.
Okay my eulogy is over (joke).......
28 THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TOO
28. Okay, the obvious, I know it's basketball season because the weather is starting to change, the smell is a bit different and my phone is starting to pick up with coaches, basketball junkies and people ready to talk hoops. Oh yeah if I didn't mention I turned another year older, would say lost more hair but I don't really have anymore (haha). Oh yeah the NBA opening night is tonight and yes I will watch that over the World Series (bitter Dodgers fan). Okay, Ill flip back and forth. Anyhow, welcome to the 2015-2016 season, I love this game, NM and just being apart of the game. If you see me at a game, come chat or talk (be warned I'll keep you talking). Glad to be back.
27. Making my trip to Hobbs (maybe for the Holiday Classic) in December. Not only great basketball but the hospitality was unmatched so far. Remember that I love food (I rank the concession stands) and program T-shirts are my fav (haha). The tournament should feature more NM teams this year, only three were at my first visit.
26. The Rio Rancho trio. I found it fitting to put them here as I mentioned the three in the Top 25 Guards to Watch feature today. Snider, Hurt and Patterson are a solid trio for the Rams and this could be a special year.
25. Las Cruces basketball. Okay, I look forward to watching all four programs this season. All should be ranked in the 25 (Mayfield might need a year) but that is a wait and see.
24. Grants Alumni Game. Yup, yours truly will be lacing up the Nikes and attempting to run up and down the court in the Grants alumni on Nov. 14th. I get to go home and see the Pirates and I hope 9-1-1 is not called in the 1st quarter.
23. Johnny McCants (Onate): The first of many players on this countdown that will be a potential NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball candidate. We hear the good news about this young fella and we look forward to cover the first potential D-1 prospect from the 2016 class.
22. Cliff Cowboys. I have never made this trip to the SE corner of New Mexico to visit one of the most historic basketball programs in the state of New Mexico. Can they win another title this season? Head coach Brian Shock continues the Shock legacy and we look forward to seeing this dynasty continue.
21. Capital Jaguars and coach Ben Gomez. In my honest opinion they should have never let Gomez leave the first time. He took them their title in 2003 and was building a solid thing with that 2011 team. Well, the swag seems to be back and he has a guard that people are talking about, the last time he had a guard that still is referred to when me and my buddies talk hoops in Mikey Dominguez. Another special year? We will go see and we look forward to it.
20. City of Champions Tournament (Artesia). I found out that I am likely heading this way for that regular season tournament in December. For one I am excited because the field is always good and second I have yet to see the Bulldog PIT. That's the name, right? Any how I have been to Artesia once to purchase my truck from Tate Branch Auto (Damn great people) and look forward to going down there to cover this event. Any of you have a bracket?
19. Albuquerque High vs. Valley: I am looking forward to this match-up because it highlights two top guard among others in what will be a packed house. This district is going to run through this two teams (preseason wise) and I can't wait to see it.
18. APS Metro Championships: This is always a fun time and I am glad when they moved it to January a few years ago. What could be better than a 16-team tournament with 4 guaranteed games. Who is the favorite this year? Valley, Albuquerque High, Volcano are they in the mix?
17. Portales Rams, St. Mikes and West Las Vegas trying to unseat: These three teams (maybe Silver) will be on the hunt to upset Hope Christian, who own 4A. These four are the legitament contenders and I really like Coach McBroom in Portales. If you haven't met this coach, you should, first class and a great person.
16. Brenden Boatwright, Carlsbad: Another NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball candidate? I look forward to watching him this season. He is one of the top players in the state and we look forward to his progression.
15. Staying with C-Bad. Is this the team that takes them to the title game? Coach Brown has done an outstanding job with this program. Reminder they were once ranked as the worst 5A team at the time (2012), based off history of losing. This is definitely not the same program that he took over. I have yet to be to a game in Carlsbad, maybe it's time to check it out.
14. Onate Knights. We have heard plenty about the Knights and this could be one of those teams that takes it all. Coach Perez is a first class guy who always takes the time to help his team out and help the media out. I really like coaches who you know love coaching (all that is involved in it). He has a talented roster, maybe a couple new transfers (Saterfield's) and we all remember what the last talented team did, 2011 anyone?
13. Roswell basketball. Both programs. Coach Cooper is another coach that I have nothing but great things to say. You just know when a coach cares about what he does. I think it shows with his program being one of the top in the state. Well, I always want to say that it might not be a one horse town for hoops as the Rockets of Goddard have a trio of guards that make both teams final four worthy.
12. John Paul Garcia, Tucumcari. Yes, we have all heard the name before and I love this kid, because you know he lives in the Snake Pit (I believe that's what its called). Okay, when I compare it's to give a visual but the youngster has that Curry confidence. He stops, pops and has killer range. He might be one of the few NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Candidates that become a top-10 finalist. I'll have to look back if we had a finalist from the small school division.
11. Four Corners hoops and concession stands. Okay, you know I had to throw that in for a 28 things that I can't wait for. First, the four corners area love their hoops, they have amazing facilities (Shiprock, KC are top notch) but they also have some nice fry bread on the way in, and I load up for the ride home (haha). The four corners area should have some contenders with Corley having Farmington playing well again, Piedra Vista will be a threat and Kirtland Central will be a top team in 4A.
10. Hobbs vs. Clovis: No other rivalry out there brings the excitement like this one. Maybe not the highlight is was when both teams are ranked 1-2 or any place in the top-10 but will still have a packed house.
9. NMPreps Nation: We had a solid basketball board the last year I was here but this summer (my return) it has a different feel. Very knowledgeable and can tell the junkies are here, where they should be talking hoops. I look forward to the conversations on here. I can tell by the posts we have dudes who love their basketball. 9 b. thanks to the coaches and media personnel who have called and reached out lately, to talk hoops, just talk and kind words. New Mexico is a great distance but plenty of good people, media and coaches out there. Glad to be back on the media side but glad to be apart of both fraternities. Thanks again.
8. Marcus Williams, Cleveland HS: The forward has been on our radar since his freshman campaign when he was a pup hitting treys from outside. He will be an early candidate for the NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball as the keys are his now.
7. Can the Hawks of Centennial Repeat? They lost some players, have one of the top guards and 5A will be deep this season. They were fun to watch last season and I can't wait to see this team with a deadly halfcourt trap/pressure look to repeat.
6. Shot clock, refs and the rest. Every year we debate the shot clock. Should be taken more serious? Refs we all have our thoughts on the regions. District realignment is back and who goes up and down.
5. 3-year old, late nights on the computer and road trips. Nothing more important in this world to me than my little man (son Parker Grine) and many of you might see him going along with me this season. When he was born I would write features until midnight or early AM and he was in my lap as I wrote. Well, glad to take him with me to games this season (the kid that is under the bleachers, throwing a ball on the court or running on the court himself) that will be him. I love talking hoops or just talking up our kids in New Mexico and hope you will see that this season.
4. NMPreps.com Top 100 Players: I know one year we had to add 50 players making it a Top 150 and this year we have some of the most talent we have had in sometime. Plenty of players putting in work and it will hopefully bring a debate to last months on who we missed, who we got right and just the Top 100 in general.
3. Amaya Brown, Cibola: Thought I mentioned this already but how can we not be excited to watch a player of this caliber. UCONN has taken a look at her and we all should. Girl is a stud and if you didn't see my interview with her, she is a great kid with a great head on her shoulders. She plays for one of my favorite metro area coaches as well.
2. Jim Muprhy at Hope Christian: I like being able to witness a legend. I like that teams go on streaks and saying that I was able to see when he won all those titles. The Huskies are doing something special and yes many of us have our feelings towards this program but you have to appreciate what they are doing. I know I do. I can't wait to get out and see another Hope game maybe win another title (13th right?)
1. 2016 State Tournament. My last one I covered I went 5 days and didn't miss one single game 7AM to midnight some nights. No sleep, over priced Lobo dogs and getting to chat with buddies on the media row. In 2012 sitting next to Buzz Williams (Virginia Tech head coach) was something I will remember. Good times down there.
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