Daily Dimes - Thursday, January 2nd
NMPreps presents a daily preview of high school basketball games taking place across New Mexico.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cibola (3-2) vs. St. Pius X (7-2), 9:45 AM
At the Terry Darnell Tournament (Bernalillo HS), the unranked 5A Cibola Cougars aim to start the new year with a fresh slate and secure a much-needed resume win after a quiet December featuring only five games. St. Pius X, ranked No. 1 in the NMPreps 4A Rankings, looks to carry its momentum from 2024 into 2025, riding a key win over Hope. This game serves as a quality measuring stick for both teams. Prediction: Cibola pulls the "upset", 58-51.
Roswell (8-3) at Organ Mountain (6-3), 6 PM
Roswell, ranked No. 12 in the NMPreps 5A Rankings, faces Organ Mountain, ranked No. 4, in what is likely the must-see game of the day. Both teams are looking to build their state tournament résumés as we head into 2025. Organ Mountain features standout seniors Lenny Washington (13 PPG), Ray Venegas (12 PPG), and Ethan Pack (11 PPG). Meanwhile, Roswell boasts serious depth with seniors Rylan Sarracino, Jacob Palomino, Xai Carrasco, and Jaylon Cloud leading the way. Prediction: Roswell's style of play pulls an upset, 67-62.
Silver (7-2) at Centennial (3-7), 7 PM
Why does this game pique our interest? It provides a gauge for the Silver Colts (No. 12 4A). Facing unranked 5A Centennial offers insight into the Colts, whom we currently project as the No. 3 seed in our Week 6 NMPreps PIT Stop Bracketology. Prediction: Silver proves their mettle, winning 57-53.
Del Norte (4-3) at Grants (4-2), 1 PM
An intriguing matchup for early risers. Both teams are in desperate need of building their resumes. Grants, once ranked No. 5, has fallen out of the top 12 after losing two of its final three games to end 2024 and has been idle for 14 days. Meanwhile, Del Norte entered the season unranked but has made a strong impression early on. This game could tell us a lot about both squads. Prediction: Grants turns the tide, winning a close battle, 50-48.
Escalante (5-2) vs. Pecos (2-6), 1 PM
The Northern Rio Grande (NRG) Tournament kicks off today, featuring some of the best small-school basketball teams in Northern New Mexico. Although the tournament seeds teams beforehand, we feel Escalante drew a tough matchup against the Pecos Panthers. Pecos, whose 2-6 record is misleading, averages 57 points per game mostly featuring 3A and 4A teams and is steadily improving. Prediction: Pecos upsets Escalante, 59-54.
These are our top five must-see games for Thursday, January 2nd. Submit scores and stats to 505-414-4313. What games are on your list today?
BRACKETS
NMPreps presents a daily preview of high school basketball games taking place across New Mexico.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cibola (3-2) vs. St. Pius X (7-2), 9:45 AM
At the Terry Darnell Tournament (Bernalillo HS), the unranked 5A Cibola Cougars aim to start the new year with a fresh slate and secure a much-needed resume win after a quiet December featuring only five games. St. Pius X, ranked No. 1 in the NMPreps 4A Rankings, looks to carry its momentum from 2024 into 2025, riding a key win over Hope. This game serves as a quality measuring stick for both teams. Prediction: Cibola pulls the "upset", 58-51.
Roswell (8-3) at Organ Mountain (6-3), 6 PM
Roswell, ranked No. 12 in the NMPreps 5A Rankings, faces Organ Mountain, ranked No. 4, in what is likely the must-see game of the day. Both teams are looking to build their state tournament résumés as we head into 2025. Organ Mountain features standout seniors Lenny Washington (13 PPG), Ray Venegas (12 PPG), and Ethan Pack (11 PPG). Meanwhile, Roswell boasts serious depth with seniors Rylan Sarracino, Jacob Palomino, Xai Carrasco, and Jaylon Cloud leading the way. Prediction: Roswell's style of play pulls an upset, 67-62.
Silver (7-2) at Centennial (3-7), 7 PM
Why does this game pique our interest? It provides a gauge for the Silver Colts (No. 12 4A). Facing unranked 5A Centennial offers insight into the Colts, whom we currently project as the No. 3 seed in our Week 6 NMPreps PIT Stop Bracketology. Prediction: Silver proves their mettle, winning 57-53.
Del Norte (4-3) at Grants (4-2), 1 PM
An intriguing matchup for early risers. Both teams are in desperate need of building their resumes. Grants, once ranked No. 5, has fallen out of the top 12 after losing two of its final three games to end 2024 and has been idle for 14 days. Meanwhile, Del Norte entered the season unranked but has made a strong impression early on. This game could tell us a lot about both squads. Prediction: Grants turns the tide, winning a close battle, 50-48.
Escalante (5-2) vs. Pecos (2-6), 1 PM
The Northern Rio Grande (NRG) Tournament kicks off today, featuring some of the best small-school basketball teams in Northern New Mexico. Although the tournament seeds teams beforehand, we feel Escalante drew a tough matchup against the Pecos Panthers. Pecos, whose 2-6 record is misleading, averages 57 points per game mostly featuring 3A and 4A teams and is steadily improving. Prediction: Pecos upsets Escalante, 59-54.
These are our top five must-see games for Thursday, January 2nd. Submit scores and stats to 505-414-4313. What games are on your list today?
BRACKETS
