NMPreps early New Mexico high school basketball team rankings for the 2021/2022 season. The preseason rankings will still be on-going after we discuss and debate these early-first version look at the team rankings. #nmpreps
NMPREPS TOP 10
(1) Las Cruces Bulldawgs (last season: 14-1 overall): The Bulldawgs and head coach William Benjamin have solidified themselves as a basketball power. This season they return a serious duo in Duece Benjamin (2023) and Isaiah Carr (2024); Carr has committed to D-1 Grand Canyon University.
(2) Cleveland Storm (last season: 14-1 overall): The reigning 5A state champ Cleveland Storm look to a new wave of talent for head coach Sean Jimenez. They lose their top three scorers from last season and could look to the youth with guidance from seniors Antonio Avila and Cole Savage.
(3) Volcano Vista Hawks (last season: 5-5 overall): The Hawks look to a return as a top contender for the state championship in 5A basketball. This season they return two prospects ranked in the top ten with Ja'kwon Hill (2022) and Sean Alter (2023).
(4) Sandia Matadors (last season: 9-2 overall): It has been sometime since we've seen the Matadors as top-five contenders entering the season. This year head coach Danny Brown welcomes back two prospects ranked in the top of their class with Ely Lovato (2023) and Sean Johnson (2022). Johnson coming off a 23 ppg season during the Spring.
(5) La Cueva Bears (last season: 8-2 overall): Perhaps the most dangerous dark horse that we've seen entering a season. The La Cueva Bears welcome back serious talent behind the duo of Exodus Ayers (2023) and Cedarious Yates (2023). They are in the title conversation and what could mean more that winning a state championship as a high school ball player?
(6) Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (last season: 9-3 overall): The Jaguars create another team that deserves to sit at the table this preseason when discussing the state champion contenders. Colby Wade (2022) and Chris Parra (2023) look to guide the Jaguars at a return to the top of 5A basketball.
(7) Hobbs Eagles (last season: 6-4 overall): The Hobbs Eagles are chipping away at a return to the top of the 5A basketball world. They return Jalen Goar (2022) who led the team in scoring at 17 points per game. He recently committed to DII Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma.
(8) Los Lunas Tigers (last season: 10-3 overall): The Tigers did not disappoint last season, their first after returning to 5A basketball, and will look to continue their winning ways. They lose all state player Josiah Navarro but return the top ranked freshman Jalin Holland along with guard Ezra Guest (2023).
(9) Rio Rancho Rams (last season: 6-6 overall): The Rams take a big hit with the graduation of Junior Hodnett who led the team in scoring last season. 6-5 Keagon Caton (2022) returns this season after putting up 12.1 ppg and 3.5 rebounds as a junior.
(10) Eldorado Eagles (last season: 4-3 overall): The Eagles finished last season dropping the final two games and will look to regroup after losing some key prospects.
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10
(11) Santa Fe Demons (last season: 7-3 overall)
(12) Albuquerque Bulldogs (last season: 5-5 overall)
(13) Roswell Coyotes (last season: 10-3 overall)
(14) Clovis Wildcats (last season: 5-6 overall)
(15) Carlsbad Cavemen (last season: 8-4 overall)
(16) Capital Jaguars (last season: 7-3 overall)
Scoop: There will be teams that miss the state tournament in this group and then there are teams that could climb into the top-10 by the time March rolls around. The theme is unknown in New Mexico high school basketball entering this season. Paul Lovato (Santa Fe/2022) and Carlos Quintana (Santa Fe/2022) will look to guide the Demons into the 2021/2022 season.
JUST OUTSIDE THE 16
(17) West Mesa Mustangs (last season: 3-6 overall)
(18) Cibola Cougars (last season: 2-8 overall)
(19) Alamogordo Tigers (last season: 10-2 overall)
Scoop: 5A basketball, like most of the classifications, will be like starting all over with new teams and plenty of unknowns. Cibola lost a key player (like others are) to ABC Prep and that 2-8 season from the spring could carry over. 6-foot-7 Brady Arrenius is one to watch for the Cougars. West Mesa returns their top three scorers from last season in Brandon Lagunas (2023), Sonny Ortiz (2023) and 6-foot-7 senior Ty Barlow. Alamogordo is on to another head coach and will need to replace key players from last season. Seniors Scott Mullin played well last season for the Tigers.
BOTTOM NINE
(20) Mayfield Trojans (last season: 7-5)
(21) Centennial Hawks (last season: 3-9)
(22) Organ Mountain Knights (last season: 4-8)
(23) Farmington Scorpions (last season: 5-6)
(24) Deming Wildcats (last season: 4-8)
(25) Gadsden Panthers (last season: 2-8)
(26) Manzano Monarchs (last season: 2-8)
(27) Piedra Vista Panthers (last season 0-11)
(28) Rio Grande Ravens (last season: 0-10)
Grine Grind: We didn't learn much from a short Spring season. This season will bring plenty of surprises however, the bottom nine could be in for a build, re-build, or continued stay in the cellar of 5A basketball. We will have new head coaches in Mayfield, Organ Mountain, and Manzano. Prospects to watch in this group of teams include 2023 Jonah Lopez (Rio Grande), Anthony Lara (2022/Gadsden HS) along with the intriguing duo of 6-6 Tainui Taiaroa (2022) and Jalen Greene (2022) of Mayfield. Update: Tainui Taiaroa has opted to play for ABC Prep and will not play at Mayfield this season.
NMPREPS TOP 10
(1) Las Cruces Bulldawgs (last season: 14-1 overall): The Bulldawgs and head coach William Benjamin have solidified themselves as a basketball power. This season they return a serious duo in Duece Benjamin (2023) and Isaiah Carr (2024); Carr has committed to D-1 Grand Canyon University.
(2) Cleveland Storm (last season: 14-1 overall): The reigning 5A state champ Cleveland Storm look to a new wave of talent for head coach Sean Jimenez. They lose their top three scorers from last season and could look to the youth with guidance from seniors Antonio Avila and Cole Savage.
(3) Volcano Vista Hawks (last season: 5-5 overall): The Hawks look to a return as a top contender for the state championship in 5A basketball. This season they return two prospects ranked in the top ten with Ja'kwon Hill (2022) and Sean Alter (2023).
(4) Sandia Matadors (last season: 9-2 overall): It has been sometime since we've seen the Matadors as top-five contenders entering the season. This year head coach Danny Brown welcomes back two prospects ranked in the top of their class with Ely Lovato (2023) and Sean Johnson (2022). Johnson coming off a 23 ppg season during the Spring.
(5) La Cueva Bears (last season: 8-2 overall): Perhaps the most dangerous dark horse that we've seen entering a season. The La Cueva Bears welcome back serious talent behind the duo of Exodus Ayers (2023) and Cedarious Yates (2023). They are in the title conversation and what could mean more that winning a state championship as a high school ball player?
(6) Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (last season: 9-3 overall): The Jaguars create another team that deserves to sit at the table this preseason when discussing the state champion contenders. Colby Wade (2022) and Chris Parra (2023) look to guide the Jaguars at a return to the top of 5A basketball.
(7) Hobbs Eagles (last season: 6-4 overall): The Hobbs Eagles are chipping away at a return to the top of the 5A basketball world. They return Jalen Goar (2022) who led the team in scoring at 17 points per game. He recently committed to DII Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma.
(8) Los Lunas Tigers (last season: 10-3 overall): The Tigers did not disappoint last season, their first after returning to 5A basketball, and will look to continue their winning ways. They lose all state player Josiah Navarro but return the top ranked freshman Jalin Holland along with guard Ezra Guest (2023).
(9) Rio Rancho Rams (last season: 6-6 overall): The Rams take a big hit with the graduation of Junior Hodnett who led the team in scoring last season. 6-5 Keagon Caton (2022) returns this season after putting up 12.1 ppg and 3.5 rebounds as a junior.
(10) Eldorado Eagles (last season: 4-3 overall): The Eagles finished last season dropping the final two games and will look to regroup after losing some key prospects.
OUTSIDE THE TOP 10
(11) Santa Fe Demons (last season: 7-3 overall)
(12) Albuquerque Bulldogs (last season: 5-5 overall)
(13) Roswell Coyotes (last season: 10-3 overall)
(14) Clovis Wildcats (last season: 5-6 overall)
(15) Carlsbad Cavemen (last season: 8-4 overall)
(16) Capital Jaguars (last season: 7-3 overall)
Scoop: There will be teams that miss the state tournament in this group and then there are teams that could climb into the top-10 by the time March rolls around. The theme is unknown in New Mexico high school basketball entering this season. Paul Lovato (Santa Fe/2022) and Carlos Quintana (Santa Fe/2022) will look to guide the Demons into the 2021/2022 season.
JUST OUTSIDE THE 16
(17) West Mesa Mustangs (last season: 3-6 overall)
(18) Cibola Cougars (last season: 2-8 overall)
(19) Alamogordo Tigers (last season: 10-2 overall)
Scoop: 5A basketball, like most of the classifications, will be like starting all over with new teams and plenty of unknowns. Cibola lost a key player (like others are) to ABC Prep and that 2-8 season from the spring could carry over. 6-foot-7 Brady Arrenius is one to watch for the Cougars. West Mesa returns their top three scorers from last season in Brandon Lagunas (2023), Sonny Ortiz (2023) and 6-foot-7 senior Ty Barlow. Alamogordo is on to another head coach and will need to replace key players from last season. Seniors Scott Mullin played well last season for the Tigers.
BOTTOM NINE
(20) Mayfield Trojans (last season: 7-5)
(21) Centennial Hawks (last season: 3-9)
(22) Organ Mountain Knights (last season: 4-8)
(23) Farmington Scorpions (last season: 5-6)
(24) Deming Wildcats (last season: 4-8)
(25) Gadsden Panthers (last season: 2-8)
(26) Manzano Monarchs (last season: 2-8)
(27) Piedra Vista Panthers (last season 0-11)
(28) Rio Grande Ravens (last season: 0-10)
Grine Grind: We didn't learn much from a short Spring season. This season will bring plenty of surprises however, the bottom nine could be in for a build, re-build, or continued stay in the cellar of 5A basketball. We will have new head coaches in Mayfield, Organ Mountain, and Manzano. Prospects to watch in this group of teams include 2023 Jonah Lopez (Rio Grande), Anthony Lara (2022/Gadsden HS) along with the intriguing duo of 6-6 Tainui Taiaroa (2022) and Jalen Greene (2022) of Mayfield. Update: Tainui Taiaroa has opted to play for ABC Prep and will not play at Mayfield this season.
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