NMPreps.com's recap from the first day of the 2021 New Mexico high school basketball state tournament. #nmpreps
BOYS BASKETBALL
3A - (1) Robertson over (8) Cobre, 64-46. The Cardinals came out a bit sluggish while the Cobre Indians had upset on their mind. They had more energy and were knocking down shots and kept things close throughout the first half, trailing the top seed 23-21 heading into the locker room. The second half was a different story as the Cardinals and top guard Matthew Gonzales came out firing as the Cardinals jumped to a 10-0 run out of the half. The Cardinals had all of the momenta to take the opening round by the score of 64-46.
3A - (2) Hot Springs over (7) Thoreau, 70-43. It was a slow start to the game for both teams as neither could hit anything outside of the paint. However, it would be the Tigers trio of Verrels Lukman (2021), Nathan Salcido (2021), and Randin Gossett (2022) to get this engine moving. Salcido a sound all-around guard was dishing out passes but also knocking down from the outside with Lukman. Gossett, a utility type of player was scoring in transition but on boards in the paint.
3A - (4) Sandia Prep over (5) St. Michael's, 43-42 (OT). The Horsemen came out with all of the energy on both sides of the ball. They were creating turnovers, scoring in transition, and looking like the better seed throughout the opening two quarters. The Horsemen failed to capitalize on easy scores and although they looked in full control only led 15-9 at the half. Both teams came out ready to score in the third quarter and after a Sandia Prep early run the Horsemen fought back to give us a 35-35 tie at the end of four quarters. St. Mikes had the ball for the final 16 seconds but failed to make anything happen and lost 43-42 in overtime to the Sundevils.
2A - (1) Rehoboth Christian over (8) Monte Del Sol, 45-32. The Rehoboth fanbase was alive and loud to witness the Lynx with their first-ever 1-seed at the state tournament. The Lynx used a press and pressure defense to continue forcing turnovers on Monte Del Sol. The Lynx just had too much for Monte Del Sol from the start of this contest. Unfortunately, we were only able to see a little of this one.
2A - (2) Jal over (7) Texico, 47-40. Honestly, this game felt like it could have been a state championship and maybe in a regular non-covid season they would have been a 1-seed and maybe 2/3-seed and would have met in the state championship. Jal was as-advertised with weapons in both the frontcourt and backcourt. They press you and rattle you at every corner of the gym. They might have been one of the best teams that I watched all day and liked the guard play and with Carreon inside they have great make-up. I'll stand by my statement that the winner of this game would win it all.
3A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Robertson 64, No. 8 Cobre 46 - F
No. 2 Hot Springs 70, No. 7 Thoreau 43 - F
No. 3 Navajo Prep 48, No. 6 NMMI 47 - F
No. 4 Sandia Prep 43, No. 5 St. Michael's 42 - F/OT
2A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Rehoboth Christian 45, No. 8 Monte Del Sol 32 - F
No. 2 Jal 47, No. 7 Texico 40 - F
No. 3 Pecos 73, No. 6 Escalante 57 - F
No. 4 Mescalero Apache 68, No. 5 Tularosa 40 - F
1A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Magdalena 2, No. 8 Pine Hill 0 - FF
No. 2 Melrose 45, No. 7 Springer 45 - F
No. 3 Elida 78, No. 6 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove 69 - F
No. 4 Fort Sumner 63, No. 5 Mesilla Valley 20 - F
BOYS BASKETBALL
3A - (1) Robertson over (8) Cobre, 64-46. The Cardinals came out a bit sluggish while the Cobre Indians had upset on their mind. They had more energy and were knocking down shots and kept things close throughout the first half, trailing the top seed 23-21 heading into the locker room. The second half was a different story as the Cardinals and top guard Matthew Gonzales came out firing as the Cardinals jumped to a 10-0 run out of the half. The Cardinals had all of the momenta to take the opening round by the score of 64-46.
3A - (2) Hot Springs over (7) Thoreau, 70-43. It was a slow start to the game for both teams as neither could hit anything outside of the paint. However, it would be the Tigers trio of Verrels Lukman (2021), Nathan Salcido (2021), and Randin Gossett (2022) to get this engine moving. Salcido a sound all-around guard was dishing out passes but also knocking down from the outside with Lukman. Gossett, a utility type of player was scoring in transition but on boards in the paint.
3A - (4) Sandia Prep over (5) St. Michael's, 43-42 (OT). The Horsemen came out with all of the energy on both sides of the ball. They were creating turnovers, scoring in transition, and looking like the better seed throughout the opening two quarters. The Horsemen failed to capitalize on easy scores and although they looked in full control only led 15-9 at the half. Both teams came out ready to score in the third quarter and after a Sandia Prep early run the Horsemen fought back to give us a 35-35 tie at the end of four quarters. St. Mikes had the ball for the final 16 seconds but failed to make anything happen and lost 43-42 in overtime to the Sundevils.
2A - (1) Rehoboth Christian over (8) Monte Del Sol, 45-32. The Rehoboth fanbase was alive and loud to witness the Lynx with their first-ever 1-seed at the state tournament. The Lynx used a press and pressure defense to continue forcing turnovers on Monte Del Sol. The Lynx just had too much for Monte Del Sol from the start of this contest. Unfortunately, we were only able to see a little of this one.
2A - (2) Jal over (7) Texico, 47-40. Honestly, this game felt like it could have been a state championship and maybe in a regular non-covid season they would have been a 1-seed and maybe 2/3-seed and would have met in the state championship. Jal was as-advertised with weapons in both the frontcourt and backcourt. They press you and rattle you at every corner of the gym. They might have been one of the best teams that I watched all day and liked the guard play and with Carreon inside they have great make-up. I'll stand by my statement that the winner of this game would win it all.
3A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Robertson 64, No. 8 Cobre 46 - F
No. 2 Hot Springs 70, No. 7 Thoreau 43 - F
No. 3 Navajo Prep 48, No. 6 NMMI 47 - F
No. 4 Sandia Prep 43, No. 5 St. Michael's 42 - F/OT
2A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Rehoboth Christian 45, No. 8 Monte Del Sol 32 - F
No. 2 Jal 47, No. 7 Texico 40 - F
No. 3 Pecos 73, No. 6 Escalante 57 - F
No. 4 Mescalero Apache 68, No. 5 Tularosa 40 - F
1A BOYS BASKETBALL
First Round - Monday, May 3rd
No. 1 Magdalena 2, No. 8 Pine Hill 0 - FF
No. 2 Melrose 45, No. 7 Springer 45 - F
No. 3 Elida 78, No. 6 Evangel Christian/Oak Grove 69 - F
No. 4 Fort Sumner 63, No. 5 Mesilla Valley 20 - F
