5A: I'm Buying Final Four Stock
Joshua J Grine of NMPreps
We hit on this topic when we took a look at our 6A Road to The PIT teams. Today, we take a stab at the four teams we are buying to making the 5A Final Four. Is it too early? Yes, it is far too early to predict teams but what fun would it be if we didn't.
Grants Pirates
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #7
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #1
Record: 2-0
Why: Currently this is not a reach and we won't make millions on this pick as it could be one of the buys that will happen. The Pirates will lose a game or two along the way as they have a difficult schedule but for a team that was missing a next level player, Richie Lucero (2016/W) during the 2015 State Tournament, and they still made their way to the Final Four we like the pick. They are one of the deepest teams in 5A this season with the likes of Lucero, Matt Vail (2017/Guard) and Michael Chambers (2016/Guard).
Seed Predictions: 1-2
Roswell Coyotes
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #10
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #2
Record: 2-0
Why: Okay, many of us have this pick at this point as well and nothing too exciting about this choice. Who knows, maybe you do have another team besides the Coyotes. The reason we go with the Coyotes is that a year after they fall short (upset last season as a 3-seed) they return to the PIT (WisePies) and go deep into March. This team again brings talent, head coach Cooper has placed himself among the best in 5A basketball and come March teams that create pressure and run go far in March.
Seed Predictions: 1-3
St. Pius X Sartans
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #24
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #7
Record: 3-0
Why: This could look like a reach of a pick as the Sartans are ranked 7th in the classification. However, this might be a common pick among NMPreps Nation members. The Sartans are off and running to a 3-0 start this season and won a huge resume boosting game over Los Lunas High School (57-55 OT) during week four of the season.
Seed Predictions: 5-8
Belen Eagles
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #25
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #8
Record: 3-0
Why: We had to go with a team not on the favorites list (and we missed a few teams that are favorites; I'm sure you will let me know which ones). The Eagles however are that upset team that could be the dark horse among the likely picks above. They have been impressive in their opening games and might be similar to a St. Pius team that will not be as up and down as Roswell or Grants.
Seed Prediction: 6-10
Who's Your Picks?
Joshua J Grine of NMPreps
We hit on this topic when we took a look at our 6A Road to The PIT teams. Today, we take a stab at the four teams we are buying to making the 5A Final Four. Is it too early? Yes, it is far too early to predict teams but what fun would it be if we didn't.
Grants Pirates
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #7
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #1
Record: 2-0
Why: Currently this is not a reach and we won't make millions on this pick as it could be one of the buys that will happen. The Pirates will lose a game or two along the way as they have a difficult schedule but for a team that was missing a next level player, Richie Lucero (2016/W) during the 2015 State Tournament, and they still made their way to the Final Four we like the pick. They are one of the deepest teams in 5A this season with the likes of Lucero, Matt Vail (2017/Guard) and Michael Chambers (2016/Guard).
Seed Predictions: 1-2
Roswell Coyotes
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #10
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #2
Record: 2-0
Why: Okay, many of us have this pick at this point as well and nothing too exciting about this choice. Who knows, maybe you do have another team besides the Coyotes. The reason we go with the Coyotes is that a year after they fall short (upset last season as a 3-seed) they return to the PIT (WisePies) and go deep into March. This team again brings talent, head coach Cooper has placed himself among the best in 5A basketball and come March teams that create pressure and run go far in March.
Seed Predictions: 1-3
St. Pius X Sartans
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #24
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #7
Record: 3-0
Why: This could look like a reach of a pick as the Sartans are ranked 7th in the classification. However, this might be a common pick among NMPreps Nation members. The Sartans are off and running to a 3-0 start this season and won a huge resume boosting game over Los Lunas High School (57-55 OT) during week four of the season.
Seed Predictions: 5-8
Belen Eagles
NMPreps.com Top-25 Rank: #25
NMPreps.com 5A Ranking: #8
Record: 3-0
Why: We had to go with a team not on the favorites list (and we missed a few teams that are favorites; I'm sure you will let me know which ones). The Eagles however are that upset team that could be the dark horse among the likely picks above. They have been impressive in their opening games and might be similar to a St. Pius team that will not be as up and down as Roswell or Grants.
Seed Prediction: 6-10
Who's Your Picks?
