District Preview - District 1-2A
With district action kicking off tonight for the big northwest-ish region, here's a preview of what to watch for.
PREDICTED FINISH
1st - Dulce
2nd - Newcomb
3rd - Rehoboth Christian
4th - Tse' Yi' Gai
T-5th - Navajo Pine
T-5th - Northwest
7th - Ramah
DULCE LADY HAWKS
Head Coach: Stanford Salazar (2nd Season)
Current Record: 8-5
Current Ranking: No. 7 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Durango (CO), at Cuba, Thoreau, at McCurdy, Mora, at Navajo Prep
Tough Losses: Farmington, at Shiprock, at Pojoaque, Santa Fe Indian, Penasco
Key Players: Brooke Vigil (Senior), Lauryn Vigil (Senior), Jasmine Salazar (Sophomore), Caitlin Duncan (Junior)
Rundown: They rank in the top five in Maxpreps and that includes a top four strength of schedule for Class 2A. Currently ranked at #7 in the NMpreps.com Class 2A rankings this week and have an unblemished home record at 3-0 so far this season. They play tempo and average nearly 48 points per game through half of their season. They have one of the easier districts, but did right to schedule a tough front-end to try to pay dividends before heading into a long district season.
Ceiling/Floor: First place finish overall/Tie for first place
Predicted Finish: First Place overall
NEWCOMB LADY SKYHAWKS
Head Coach: Bill McLaughlin (1st Season)
Current Record: 5-9
Current Ranking: No. 18 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Navajo Pine, Tularosa, Thoreau, Crownpoint
Tough Losses: Estancia, at Navajo Prep, St. Michael (AZ), at Shiprock
Key Players: Hanna Begay (Sophomore), Aaleigha Ashley (Junior), Shoshanna Begay (Junior) Zoey Natonabah (Sophomore)
Rundown: Don't overlook this team because of their record. Newcomb had the 5th strongest schedule in 2A right behind their new district rival, Dulce. Unfortunately, it didn't translate to as many wins as they would've liked, but it's a new season when district comes around. With a healthy mix of upper and lowerclassmen, Newcomb should be right in the mix and possibly contending for their district title this season.
Ceiling/Floor: Tie for first place / third place overall.
Predicted Finish: District Runnerup
REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN LYNX
Head Coach: Adrian Pete (3rd Season)
Current Record: 6-5
Current Ranking: No. 15 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: To'hajiilee, Reserve, Menaul, East Mountain
Tough Losses: Crownpoint, Tohatchi, Pine Hill, at Thoreau, Zuni
Key Players: Kennedi Chapman (Senior), Rachael Martin (Senior), Jayme Daniels (Senior), Wylencia Weaver (Senior)
Rundown: This Rehoboth team has had too many close wins to ignore. Now close wins don't count for much in the win column, but a one point loss at Pine Hill and at Thoreau should put this team at 8-3. Not to mention the disappointing home tournament championship lost to nearby rival Zuni. Disappointing as it may be to sit one game above .500 I believe this team has the best chance at surprising the likes of Newcomb, and Dulce. They have quality size upfront and experience in with a senior heavy lineup. They could play spoiler for the top teams in this district.
Ceiling/Floor: Second place overall / fourth place overall
Predicted Finish: Third Place overall
TSE' YI' GAI DINE WARRIORS
Head Coach: Anderson "A.D." Nezbegay (7th season)
Current Record: 7-3
Current Ranking: No. 19 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: NACA, Coronado, To'hajiilee
Tough Losses: Thoreau, Jemez Valley and Crownpoint
Key Players: Tianalee Jim (Sophomore), Kallie Trujillo (Freshman), Angel Toledo (Sophomore), and Lakoda Jim (Sophomore)
Rundown: Yes, they are young, but show a lot of potential and knack for playing hoops in the up-tempo "rez-ball" style. Still, their best offensive option has been Tianalee Jim, a 5'1" sophomore whose style of play shows how young and energetic this team is. They've got quite a ways to go. With only having two 5'8" players, they'll need every bit of defensive effort they can spare while also trying to keep with their scoring average of 54 points per game.
Ceiling/Floor: Tie for second place / fourth place overall.
Predicted Finish: Fourth place overall
NAVAJO PINE LADY WARRIORS
Head Coach: Lindsey Brown (1st Season)
Current Record: 2-10
Current Ranking: Unranked in Top 20 for 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Menaul, Thoreau JV
Tough Losses: at Thoreau, at Wingate,
Key Players: Jordan Louis (Sophomore), Kalika Bryant (Senior)
Rundown: Far removed from their 2013 state championship, Navajo Pine has some potential but too much youth and lack of defense to save the season. The Lady Warriors have had a dismal time keeping in games despite their star player, Jordan Louis (no relation; different spelling) averaging 25 points per game through the first ten games of the season. The sophomore can't handle the scoring burden herself, but the defense is giving up 63 points per game. Not nearly enough to make them serious district contenders.
Ceiling/Floor: Fourth place overall / 7th Place
Predicted Finish: Tied for fifth place
NORTHWEST LADY FALCONS
Head Coach: Leon Wheeler (First season return since 2013-14 season)
Current Record: 4-5
Current Ranking: Unranked in Top 20 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Red Valley/Cove (AZ) twice, Norwood (CO), NACA
Tough Losses: Whitehorse (UT) twice, Alamo Navajo
Key Players: Kylee DeNoyer (Senior), Jerilyn Begay (Senior)
Rundown: The roster only has three listed seniors with five freshmen, two sophomores, and an 8th grader to round out the young bunch. They're probably one if not the youngest team in the district. Despite that, they're hanging around at 4-5 which is not that bad considering where we are in the season and where they could end up. Still, the lack of any big win that catches my eye and the margin of losses show that maybe they're not ready for a run THIS season.
Ceiling/Floor: Tied for fourth place / 7th Place overall
Predicted Finish: Tied for fifth place
RAMAH LADY MUSTANGS
Head Coach: Alberta Curley (1st Season)
Current Record: 1-10
Current Ranking: Unranked in the top 20 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Menaul
Tough Losses: Zuni (by two), Reserve (twice), at East Mountain (by three)
Key Players: Kari Kallestewa (Freshman), Shamika Maria (Sophomore)
Rundown: Remember when I said Northwest was in the running for youngest? Well if your team only lists eight players and two of them are 8th graders, I think you win that competition. It's been a rough season, but Ramah at the very least got a win on the season against Menaul at the Rehoboth Tournament. They'll be struggling for most of the season, but you never know in this district.
Ceiling/Floor: Tied for sixth place / 7th Place overall
Predicted Finish: 7th Place overall
With district action kicking off tonight for the big northwest-ish region, here's a preview of what to watch for.
PREDICTED FINISH
1st - Dulce
2nd - Newcomb
3rd - Rehoboth Christian
4th - Tse' Yi' Gai
T-5th - Navajo Pine
T-5th - Northwest
7th - Ramah
DULCE LADY HAWKS
Head Coach: Stanford Salazar (2nd Season)
Current Record: 8-5
Current Ranking: No. 7 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Durango (CO), at Cuba, Thoreau, at McCurdy, Mora, at Navajo Prep
Tough Losses: Farmington, at Shiprock, at Pojoaque, Santa Fe Indian, Penasco
Key Players: Brooke Vigil (Senior), Lauryn Vigil (Senior), Jasmine Salazar (Sophomore), Caitlin Duncan (Junior)
Rundown: They rank in the top five in Maxpreps and that includes a top four strength of schedule for Class 2A. Currently ranked at #7 in the NMpreps.com Class 2A rankings this week and have an unblemished home record at 3-0 so far this season. They play tempo and average nearly 48 points per game through half of their season. They have one of the easier districts, but did right to schedule a tough front-end to try to pay dividends before heading into a long district season.
Ceiling/Floor: First place finish overall/Tie for first place
Predicted Finish: First Place overall
NEWCOMB LADY SKYHAWKS
Head Coach: Bill McLaughlin (1st Season)
Current Record: 5-9
Current Ranking: No. 18 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Navajo Pine, Tularosa, Thoreau, Crownpoint
Tough Losses: Estancia, at Navajo Prep, St. Michael (AZ), at Shiprock
Key Players: Hanna Begay (Sophomore), Aaleigha Ashley (Junior), Shoshanna Begay (Junior) Zoey Natonabah (Sophomore)
Rundown: Don't overlook this team because of their record. Newcomb had the 5th strongest schedule in 2A right behind their new district rival, Dulce. Unfortunately, it didn't translate to as many wins as they would've liked, but it's a new season when district comes around. With a healthy mix of upper and lowerclassmen, Newcomb should be right in the mix and possibly contending for their district title this season.
Ceiling/Floor: Tie for first place / third place overall.
Predicted Finish: District Runnerup
REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN LYNX
Head Coach: Adrian Pete (3rd Season)
Current Record: 6-5
Current Ranking: No. 15 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: To'hajiilee, Reserve, Menaul, East Mountain
Tough Losses: Crownpoint, Tohatchi, Pine Hill, at Thoreau, Zuni
Key Players: Kennedi Chapman (Senior), Rachael Martin (Senior), Jayme Daniels (Senior), Wylencia Weaver (Senior)
Rundown: This Rehoboth team has had too many close wins to ignore. Now close wins don't count for much in the win column, but a one point loss at Pine Hill and at Thoreau should put this team at 8-3. Not to mention the disappointing home tournament championship lost to nearby rival Zuni. Disappointing as it may be to sit one game above .500 I believe this team has the best chance at surprising the likes of Newcomb, and Dulce. They have quality size upfront and experience in with a senior heavy lineup. They could play spoiler for the top teams in this district.
Ceiling/Floor: Second place overall / fourth place overall
Predicted Finish: Third Place overall
TSE' YI' GAI DINE WARRIORS
Head Coach: Anderson "A.D." Nezbegay (7th season)
Current Record: 7-3
Current Ranking: No. 19 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: NACA, Coronado, To'hajiilee
Tough Losses: Thoreau, Jemez Valley and Crownpoint
Key Players: Tianalee Jim (Sophomore), Kallie Trujillo (Freshman), Angel Toledo (Sophomore), and Lakoda Jim (Sophomore)
Rundown: Yes, they are young, but show a lot of potential and knack for playing hoops in the up-tempo "rez-ball" style. Still, their best offensive option has been Tianalee Jim, a 5'1" sophomore whose style of play shows how young and energetic this team is. They've got quite a ways to go. With only having two 5'8" players, they'll need every bit of defensive effort they can spare while also trying to keep with their scoring average of 54 points per game.
Ceiling/Floor: Tie for second place / fourth place overall.
Predicted Finish: Fourth place overall
NAVAJO PINE LADY WARRIORS
Head Coach: Lindsey Brown (1st Season)
Current Record: 2-10
Current Ranking: Unranked in Top 20 for 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Menaul, Thoreau JV
Tough Losses: at Thoreau, at Wingate,
Key Players: Jordan Louis (Sophomore), Kalika Bryant (Senior)
Rundown: Far removed from their 2013 state championship, Navajo Pine has some potential but too much youth and lack of defense to save the season. The Lady Warriors have had a dismal time keeping in games despite their star player, Jordan Louis (no relation; different spelling) averaging 25 points per game through the first ten games of the season. The sophomore can't handle the scoring burden herself, but the defense is giving up 63 points per game. Not nearly enough to make them serious district contenders.
Ceiling/Floor: Fourth place overall / 7th Place
Predicted Finish: Tied for fifth place
NORTHWEST LADY FALCONS
Head Coach: Leon Wheeler (First season return since 2013-14 season)
Current Record: 4-5
Current Ranking: Unranked in Top 20 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Red Valley/Cove (AZ) twice, Norwood (CO), NACA
Tough Losses: Whitehorse (UT) twice, Alamo Navajo
Key Players: Kylee DeNoyer (Senior), Jerilyn Begay (Senior)
Rundown: The roster only has three listed seniors with five freshmen, two sophomores, and an 8th grader to round out the young bunch. They're probably one if not the youngest team in the district. Despite that, they're hanging around at 4-5 which is not that bad considering where we are in the season and where they could end up. Still, the lack of any big win that catches my eye and the margin of losses show that maybe they're not ready for a run THIS season.
Ceiling/Floor: Tied for fourth place / 7th Place overall
Predicted Finish: Tied for fifth place
RAMAH LADY MUSTANGS
Head Coach: Alberta Curley (1st Season)
Current Record: 1-10
Current Ranking: Unranked in the top 20 in 2A (Week 8)
Notable Wins: Menaul
Tough Losses: Zuni (by two), Reserve (twice), at East Mountain (by three)
Key Players: Kari Kallestewa (Freshman), Shamika Maria (Sophomore)
Rundown: Remember when I said Northwest was in the running for youngest? Well if your team only lists eight players and two of them are 8th graders, I think you win that competition. It's been a rough season, but Ramah at the very least got a win on the season against Menaul at the Rehoboth Tournament. They'll be struggling for most of the season, but you never know in this district.
Ceiling/Floor: Tied for sixth place / 7th Place overall
Predicted Finish: 7th Place overall
