NO. 6 LA CUEVA BEARS
2018 Season: 16-11 overall, 7-1 district Head Coach: Frank Castillo
Scoop: The La Cueva Bears seem to be ready to move back into the next tier of teams in 5A basketball. The Bears return one of the top players in the state in 2020 Derek Aeilts who is having a solid summer on the club ball scene. Aeilts has made a name for himself the last two years with last seasons 21 points per game being the highlight. The 1-2 punch for the Bears will be with Ja'Shon Lowery (2021) returning after a productive sophomore season and sure to see his 9 points/5 rebounds per game to improve.
Ceiling: (5-8 range). I think the Bears are exactly where their ceiling is set, 5-8 range, by the time they release the brackets in March. The Bears are good, Derek Aeilts will argue to be in the Mr. Basketball conversation, but the Bears are going to have to be better than their best each night with the likes of Cleveland, Atrisco Heritage, Santa Fe, Clovis, Volcano Vista all in the mix for a State Championship.
Floor: (10-14 Seed Range). This is a big range for the Bears as we are talking 5-14 altogether between the two conversations. The Bears have their go-to player in Derek, Lowery is projected to be a force, but the overall depth will come into play. As mentioned there will be a handful of teams looking to make claim for a title and you just hope you don't fall in the cracks.
Quick Prediction: 18 wins. I do think the Bears will be two games better this coming season. The Bears will have one of their better teams in the last 5-years.
Continued Rankings
#7 Clovis Wildcats
#8 Volcano Vista Hawks
#9 Onate Knights
#10 Rio Rancho Rams
#11 Albuquerque Bulldogs
#12 Eldorado Eagles
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens
2018 Season: 16-11 overall, 7-1 district Head Coach: Frank Castillo
Scoop: The La Cueva Bears seem to be ready to move back into the next tier of teams in 5A basketball. The Bears return one of the top players in the state in 2020 Derek Aeilts who is having a solid summer on the club ball scene. Aeilts has made a name for himself the last two years with last seasons 21 points per game being the highlight. The 1-2 punch for the Bears will be with Ja'Shon Lowery (2021) returning after a productive sophomore season and sure to see his 9 points/5 rebounds per game to improve.
Ceiling: (5-8 range). I think the Bears are exactly where their ceiling is set, 5-8 range, by the time they release the brackets in March. The Bears are good, Derek Aeilts will argue to be in the Mr. Basketball conversation, but the Bears are going to have to be better than their best each night with the likes of Cleveland, Atrisco Heritage, Santa Fe, Clovis, Volcano Vista all in the mix for a State Championship.
Floor: (10-14 Seed Range). This is a big range for the Bears as we are talking 5-14 altogether between the two conversations. The Bears have their go-to player in Derek, Lowery is projected to be a force, but the overall depth will come into play. As mentioned there will be a handful of teams looking to make claim for a title and you just hope you don't fall in the cracks.
Quick Prediction: 18 wins. I do think the Bears will be two games better this coming season. The Bears will have one of their better teams in the last 5-years.
Continued Rankings
#7 Clovis Wildcats
#8 Volcano Vista Hawks
#9 Onate Knights
#10 Rio Rancho Rams
#11 Albuquerque Bulldogs
#12 Eldorado Eagles
#13 Gadsden Panthers
#14 Capital Jaguars
#15 Roswell Coyotes
#16 Carlsbad Cavemen
#17 Sandia Matadors
#18 Manzano Monarchs
#19 West Mesa Mustangs
#20 Mayfield Trojans
#21 Centennial Hawks
#22 Piedra Vista Panthers
#23 Farmington Scorpions
#24 Alamogordo Tigers
#25 Deming Wildcats
#26 Cibola Cougars
#27 Rio Grande Ravens
