District Preview: Farmington Remain The Favorite
Today, we take a quick look at District 1-5A. The basketball season officially started on October 31st, 2016 and we continue to look at each team/program.
Overview
The northwest district could be one of the strongest districts in terms of atmosphere, dark horse teams and fan bases in the classification. Will it translate to a deeper showing in the state tournament? That is yet to be seen but you have to like Final Four contenders in Farmington who were upset in the opening round as a 5-seed but return one of the players who seem ready for the next level. Gallup welcomes head coach James Voight who is one of the top rising coaches and have been praised for the splash of a hire.
Predicted Finish
1. Farmington Scorpions (Last Season: 23-5, 8-0)
Why: The Scorpions went 8-0 in district play last season and could be an arms length ahead of the rest. However, you have to like other programs this season we settle on the Scorpions feature 6-foot-7 power forward David Riley, who has the old school brute force to dominate near the rim. Two others to keep an eye on is Sol Rascon, also in the front court, along with Nick Granger in the backcourt.
2. Gallup Bengals (22-8, 6-2)
Why: If you watch the northwest district in 5A basketball you might be quick to respond and debate why we are wrong with our prediction of the Gallup Bengals being runner up in 1-5A. Here is why we believe in the Bengals. For one, the hire of James Voight was A+. He is a proven winner any place he goes (title at Dexter High School in 2013 and 20 plus wins in one season at Hondo Valley). Second, can you ever count out a program like Gallup? They take a hit to graduation but a couple names that could thrive in a backcourt heavy philosophy of Voights' in Nate John or Cyrus John.
3. Kirtland Central Broncos (12-16, 8-2) *4A
Why: It is hard to predict how the Broncos will do moving into 5A basketball. Last season they went 1-2 against 1-5A opponents. So why do we like the Broncos so much? Leading scorer Bryson Dowdy returns for his junior season, Dowdy was a Top 100 player last season in our player rankings. Another player on the rise could be junior Jariah Setzer who will see his minutes improve along with his numbers.
4. Bloomfield Bobcats (20-8, 10-0) *4A
Why: The Bobcats won District 1-4A last season going 10-0 and also playing in the 4A Elite Eight. However, the move to 5A will be a tough transition, especially with a new head coach. Former coach Devon Manning has since been hired by Piedra Vista, this could be a reason for the step back this season along with the graduation to key players. However, the big mystery in this team is they return three players that could really create a trio of wealth in Brendan Charley, Ty Padilla, and Adriano Stevenson.
5. Miyamura Patriots (10-17, 3-5)
Why: The Patriots could be the team that "should" be predicted a tad higher at the 2/3 slot. They graduated four players from last season but return a player we really like in Jason Upshaw who could be considered among the best in the district. Could this be the year the Patriots go dancing for the first time in program history?
6. Aztec Tigers (1-24, 0-8)
Why: The Aztec Tigers will have a new head coach this season (even though he is still coaching the football team). The Tigers are currently riding a 17-game losing streak and could be in for more building. Adding fuel to this fire is the graduation of top three scorers and will rely on a young roster.
Questions That Will Shape This District
1. How Will Farmington Respond Replacing Their Backcourt? The Farmington Scorpions return a solid foundation in the frontcourt as mentioned above. However, they lose some of the guard play that they relied on last season. This could be detrimental to the team on their quest to repeat as teams like Gallup will place pressure on them, Bernalillo found holes in the first round of the playoffs against a veteran Scorpions team last season.
2. First Year Coach That Will Thrive? I mentioned this above in our quick hit view of the Bengals but the hiring of James Voight is major. The reason we like it so much is the philosophy similarities between Voight and Gallup. The Bengals press - Voight's previous programs press with the best of them. Next, he inherits a program that has been successful and will be successful.
3. How many teams will get a State Tournament bid? Right now I could predict 3/4 teams earning a bid. That might seem high for this district and plenty will come down to non-district play but you have to like the make up of some rosters. Miyamura could turn a quality corner, Kirtland Central will be sound and Farmington-Gallup are nearly automatics each season.
Preseason NMPreps.com All-District Team
(Ten Players)
1. David Riley - Farmington
2. Brendon Charley - Bloomfield
2. Bryson Dowdy - Kirtland Central
3. Cyrus John - Gallup
4. Jason Upshaw - Miyamura
5. Nick Granger - Farmington
6. Nate John - Gallup
7. Sol Rascon - Farmington
8. Jacob Fiel - Aztec
9. Adriano Stevenson - Bloomfield
10. Ty Padilla - Bloomfield
Today, we take a quick look at District 1-5A. The basketball season officially started on October 31st, 2016 and we continue to look at each team/program.
Overview
The northwest district could be one of the strongest districts in terms of atmosphere, dark horse teams and fan bases in the classification. Will it translate to a deeper showing in the state tournament? That is yet to be seen but you have to like Final Four contenders in Farmington who were upset in the opening round as a 5-seed but return one of the players who seem ready for the next level. Gallup welcomes head coach James Voight who is one of the top rising coaches and have been praised for the splash of a hire.
Predicted Finish
1. Farmington Scorpions (Last Season: 23-5, 8-0)
Why: The Scorpions went 8-0 in district play last season and could be an arms length ahead of the rest. However, you have to like other programs this season we settle on the Scorpions feature 6-foot-7 power forward David Riley, who has the old school brute force to dominate near the rim. Two others to keep an eye on is Sol Rascon, also in the front court, along with Nick Granger in the backcourt.
2. Gallup Bengals (22-8, 6-2)
Why: If you watch the northwest district in 5A basketball you might be quick to respond and debate why we are wrong with our prediction of the Gallup Bengals being runner up in 1-5A. Here is why we believe in the Bengals. For one, the hire of James Voight was A+. He is a proven winner any place he goes (title at Dexter High School in 2013 and 20 plus wins in one season at Hondo Valley). Second, can you ever count out a program like Gallup? They take a hit to graduation but a couple names that could thrive in a backcourt heavy philosophy of Voights' in Nate John or Cyrus John.
3. Kirtland Central Broncos (12-16, 8-2) *4A
Why: It is hard to predict how the Broncos will do moving into 5A basketball. Last season they went 1-2 against 1-5A opponents. So why do we like the Broncos so much? Leading scorer Bryson Dowdy returns for his junior season, Dowdy was a Top 100 player last season in our player rankings. Another player on the rise could be junior Jariah Setzer who will see his minutes improve along with his numbers.
4. Bloomfield Bobcats (20-8, 10-0) *4A
Why: The Bobcats won District 1-4A last season going 10-0 and also playing in the 4A Elite Eight. However, the move to 5A will be a tough transition, especially with a new head coach. Former coach Devon Manning has since been hired by Piedra Vista, this could be a reason for the step back this season along with the graduation to key players. However, the big mystery in this team is they return three players that could really create a trio of wealth in Brendan Charley, Ty Padilla, and Adriano Stevenson.
5. Miyamura Patriots (10-17, 3-5)
Why: The Patriots could be the team that "should" be predicted a tad higher at the 2/3 slot. They graduated four players from last season but return a player we really like in Jason Upshaw who could be considered among the best in the district. Could this be the year the Patriots go dancing for the first time in program history?
6. Aztec Tigers (1-24, 0-8)
Why: The Aztec Tigers will have a new head coach this season (even though he is still coaching the football team). The Tigers are currently riding a 17-game losing streak and could be in for more building. Adding fuel to this fire is the graduation of top three scorers and will rely on a young roster.
Questions That Will Shape This District
1. How Will Farmington Respond Replacing Their Backcourt? The Farmington Scorpions return a solid foundation in the frontcourt as mentioned above. However, they lose some of the guard play that they relied on last season. This could be detrimental to the team on their quest to repeat as teams like Gallup will place pressure on them, Bernalillo found holes in the first round of the playoffs against a veteran Scorpions team last season.
2. First Year Coach That Will Thrive? I mentioned this above in our quick hit view of the Bengals but the hiring of James Voight is major. The reason we like it so much is the philosophy similarities between Voight and Gallup. The Bengals press - Voight's previous programs press with the best of them. Next, he inherits a program that has been successful and will be successful.
3. How many teams will get a State Tournament bid? Right now I could predict 3/4 teams earning a bid. That might seem high for this district and plenty will come down to non-district play but you have to like the make up of some rosters. Miyamura could turn a quality corner, Kirtland Central will be sound and Farmington-Gallup are nearly automatics each season.
Preseason NMPreps.com All-District Team
(Ten Players)
1. David Riley - Farmington
2. Brendon Charley - Bloomfield
2. Bryson Dowdy - Kirtland Central
3. Cyrus John - Gallup
4. Jason Upshaw - Miyamura
5. Nick Granger - Farmington
6. Nate John - Gallup
7. Sol Rascon - Farmington
8. Jacob Fiel - Aztec
9. Adriano Stevenson - Bloomfield
10. Ty Padilla - Bloomfield
