BRACKET
#1 Highland vs #8 Artesia - 6PM
#2 Taos vs #7 Belen - 6PM
#3 Espanola Valley vs #11 Del Norte - 6PM
#4 St. Pius X vs #5 Albuquerque Academy - 6PM
PREDICTIONS
Highland 51, Artesia 44 - F
Taos 55, Belen 52 - F
Espanola Valley 63, Del Norte 60 - F/OT
Albuquerque Academy 66, St. Pius X 61 - F
LINES
Highland -8.5
Taos -2.5
Espanola Valley -1.5
Academy -3.5
PREVIEWS
#1 Highland Hornets (23-3) vs #8 Artesia Bulldogs (17-11): The Highland Hornets will have the duo of Alexis Dominguez (2022) and Jose Murillo (2022). Artesia features guard Nick Sanchez (2023) but don't forget the shooting of Jake Barrera (2022) and Cameron Thorp (2022). This will be a game won in the third quarter and who breaks free from a tight shooting game. Who gets hot and on a run heading into the fourth quarter could find themselves heading to the PIT on Friday.
#2 Taos Tigers (22-6) vs #7 Belen Eagles (17-11): The Taos Tigers play host to the Belen Eagles as they square off for the second time this season. Belen took the first meeting at a neutral site - Stu Clark Tournament held at New Mexico Highlands University. Who will jump out early and adjust throughout the contest could head to the Final Four. Both teams feature big men in 6-6 Daemon Ely (Taos/2023) against 6-5 Daniel Corrales (Belen/2022).
#3 Espanola Valley Sundevils (21-7) vs #11 Del Norte Knights (13-14): The two programs are very familiar with each other during the post season. Del Norte first upset the Sundevils in the first round (5-12 game) back in 2019 on their way to the Final Four. Then again the Knights beat them last season in the Final Four (58-51) on their way to the state championship. Del Norte features a talented squad of Harrison Frank (2023), Shane Douma-Sanchez (2023), and Judah Casaus (2023). Espanola will look to the solid outside shooting of Marin Rodriguez (2022) and Ricky Padilla (2022), both will need to be hot and not allow this game to become a possession for possession game.
#4 St. Pius X Sartans (18-8) vs #5 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (18-7): Nothing like an old rivalry to meet in the state tournament. I still feel that it's a shame that these two are not district opponents, it should be written in district alignment bylaws to play in the same district. Okay back to the game. St. Pius X is one of those teams that have found ways to win games. They won't make mistakes and they'll capitalize on the little things. Chris Coash (2023) and Tanner Davis (2022) will guide the Sartans in this contest. It doesn't get hotter than the Chargers right now as they went from bubble, to next four to a district championship and 5-seed. After 9-straight wins the Chargers are playing well right now and turn to the talents of Kellen Gehres (2023) and Joe Jack (2024) as they head into the quarterfinal game. Yes, this is our upset alert game.
#1 Highland vs #8 Artesia - 6PM
#2 Taos vs #7 Belen - 6PM
#3 Espanola Valley vs #11 Del Norte - 6PM
#4 St. Pius X vs #5 Albuquerque Academy - 6PM
PREDICTIONS
Highland 51, Artesia 44 - F
Taos 55, Belen 52 - F
Espanola Valley 63, Del Norte 60 - F/OT
Albuquerque Academy 66, St. Pius X 61 - F
LINES
Highland -8.5
Taos -2.5
Espanola Valley -1.5
Academy -3.5
PREVIEWS
#1 Highland Hornets (23-3) vs #8 Artesia Bulldogs (17-11): The Highland Hornets will have the duo of Alexis Dominguez (2022) and Jose Murillo (2022). Artesia features guard Nick Sanchez (2023) but don't forget the shooting of Jake Barrera (2022) and Cameron Thorp (2022). This will be a game won in the third quarter and who breaks free from a tight shooting game. Who gets hot and on a run heading into the fourth quarter could find themselves heading to the PIT on Friday.
#2 Taos Tigers (22-6) vs #7 Belen Eagles (17-11): The Taos Tigers play host to the Belen Eagles as they square off for the second time this season. Belen took the first meeting at a neutral site - Stu Clark Tournament held at New Mexico Highlands University. Who will jump out early and adjust throughout the contest could head to the Final Four. Both teams feature big men in 6-6 Daemon Ely (Taos/2023) against 6-5 Daniel Corrales (Belen/2022).
#3 Espanola Valley Sundevils (21-7) vs #11 Del Norte Knights (13-14): The two programs are very familiar with each other during the post season. Del Norte first upset the Sundevils in the first round (5-12 game) back in 2019 on their way to the Final Four. Then again the Knights beat them last season in the Final Four (58-51) on their way to the state championship. Del Norte features a talented squad of Harrison Frank (2023), Shane Douma-Sanchez (2023), and Judah Casaus (2023). Espanola will look to the solid outside shooting of Marin Rodriguez (2022) and Ricky Padilla (2022), both will need to be hot and not allow this game to become a possession for possession game.
#4 St. Pius X Sartans (18-8) vs #5 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (18-7): Nothing like an old rivalry to meet in the state tournament. I still feel that it's a shame that these two are not district opponents, it should be written in district alignment bylaws to play in the same district. Okay back to the game. St. Pius X is one of those teams that have found ways to win games. They won't make mistakes and they'll capitalize on the little things. Chris Coash (2023) and Tanner Davis (2022) will guide the Sartans in this contest. It doesn't get hotter than the Chargers right now as they went from bubble, to next four to a district championship and 5-seed. After 9-straight wins the Chargers are playing well right now and turn to the talents of Kellen Gehres (2023) and Joe Jack (2024) as they head into the quarterfinal game. Yes, this is our upset alert game.
