UPSET-MINDED (Most Likely to Upset): (7) Socorro vs. (10) Crownpoint
Crownpoint has had a better second half of the season than the first. Socorro has had a poor close out to the season with a loss to Cobre (twice). Now it'll take some gettin' from Crownpoint because this Socorro team is no slouch. But I think the match-up is favorable for Crownpoint. Socorro hasn't defended their home court well lately and Crownpoint probably knows they could've played better in that district championship game.
INTRIGUING MATCH-UP: (11) Sandia Prep vs. (6) Tularosa
Hey, look. Sandia Prep has to feel somewhat slighted that they have to go on the road as a district champion. Sure, I get it. I think they're well coached enough to channel that against a Tularosa team that has shown some inconsistencies all season long. I'm not saying Tulie is bad, but rather you don't know which Tulie team is going to show up. I think if there's a Sandia Prep team that could win on the road, it's this one. And if there's a Tulie team that could take this Sundevil team lightly, at least for a half, it's this Tularosa team.
FINAL FOUR SURPRISE (5-16 seeds): (5) Navajo Prep
Navajo Prep started the season 1-4 but then grinded out four straight into the end of December. Then won 7 of 11 games in January. They've got a fairly solid core that's driven most of the team from a mediocre district start that included an upset loss to Crownpoint to a dominant finish in the district championship game. I think they have the personel to make that run given their first round and potential quarterfinal opponents matchup-wise.
BEST GAME: (8) West Las Vegas vs. (9) Tohatchi
If you like up-and-down tempo basketball with plenty of shooting THIS is the game for you! Both teams can put up 50 points with relative ease. And I personally think this game could end up in the 60s. Fact of the matter is both teams are more than capable of winning this game, as are most 8-9 match-ups. But this one will definitely be a fun one. Especially if the Tohatchi faithful make the trip east to the West side.
TOP-FOUR OVER/UNDER: Those first four seeds are as good as it gets in 3A, but I'm curious which one will be closer than expected. I'm putting the line at 25.5 for each game in that top four.
Last edited:
