5A BASKETBALL
We are two weeks away from the announcement of the 2020 New Mexico high school state basketball brackets. Today, we put teams into tiers, which reflect their possible ceiling. Keep in mind we can only have two teams per group.
Group I: State Champion Favorites
1. Cleveland Storm (20-3 overall, 2-3 district)
Why: I could hear the doubters on this one, that is okay. I think the Storm took their losses at the start of district play but their current 3-game win streak should tell why we have the Storm as a state championship game favorite. They have plenty of talent to get there, a great coaching staff, and after years of knocking on the door - eventually it will open.
2. Volcano Vista Hawks (17-5 overall, 3-3 district)
Why: Again, we hear it all. Again, I will say that this match-up is our most likely championship game to happen. If the recent results in this growing rivalry shows anything it would be a classic. Team note, like Cleveland, Volcano Vista has a solid coaching staff, talented pieces and at moments look unbeatable.
Group II: Final Four Contenders
3. Capital Jaguars (20-3 overall, 6-1 district)
Why: Capital could be in the long shot for many but I like head coach Gomez and this could be the story-like season with a Final Four or even state championship. The odds against the Jaguars is great so, it would be worth taking the bet. TJ Sanchez has the opportunity to have an early-2000's Jaguar player recognition type post season.
4. Las Cruces Bulldawgs (22-1 overall, 9-0 district)
Why: The Bulldawgs experienced the upset that will be remembered for many years - the first 2-seed to lose to a 15-seed in the State tournament (13-year history of the bracket format; went to 16-teams in 2006). Well, the number one ranked Bulldawgs (NMPreps.com's Week 12 Power-16 Rankings) have everything you'd like in a championship type team. Gives the Virginia type feel.
Group III: Elite Eight Eyes
5. Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (15-7 overall, 5-1 district)
Why: The leader from district one, over the likes of VVHS and Cleveland, is our fifth most likely to win the state championship? The two-time defending championship is in group three of most likely to win the state championship? Is the magic out or will head coach Adrian Ortega and guard Joziah Ramos prove us wrong again?
6. Santa Fe Demons (19-3 overall, 7-0 district)
Why: The two teams that represented the 2019 state championship game lead group III. I feel Santa Fe would have many takers with odds this high. Yes, they have the top ranked prospect in the state. Yes, they are 19-3 on the season and made that magical/Cinderella run last season.
7. Clovis Wildcats (16-7 overall, 2-1 district)
Why: Maybe, the dark horse on our list of teams to make it to the PIT for the 2020 Elite Eight. Yes, the Wildcats have been all over the board from a possible threat to maybe a high seed without Something about the Wildcats has us taking them into the Elite Eight after being 'upset' in 2019 as an 8-seed. The big guy in the middle has left the stress of picking a college home and now can focus on making some history on the hardwood.
8. Eldorado Eagles (18-3 overall, 4-1 district)
Why: The Eagles might have the least believers of the top-ranked teams. They have become the forgotten 18-win team (likely 20-win team) when the brackets are released. The Eagles have one of the best big men in the state in Deraje Agbaosi who could have them as the sleeper in the state.
Group IV: First Round Squads
9. Onate Knights (20-4 overall, 7-3 district)
10. Hobbs Eagles (16-7 overall, 3-0 district)
11. La Cueva Bears (13-8 overall, 4-1 district)
12. Rio Rancho Rams (12-11 overall, 2-3 district)
We are two weeks away from the announcement of the 2020 New Mexico high school state basketball brackets. Today, we put teams into tiers, which reflect their possible ceiling. Keep in mind we can only have two teams per group.
Group I: State Champion Favorites
1. Cleveland Storm (20-3 overall, 2-3 district)
Why: I could hear the doubters on this one, that is okay. I think the Storm took their losses at the start of district play but their current 3-game win streak should tell why we have the Storm as a state championship game favorite. They have plenty of talent to get there, a great coaching staff, and after years of knocking on the door - eventually it will open.
2. Volcano Vista Hawks (17-5 overall, 3-3 district)
Why: Again, we hear it all. Again, I will say that this match-up is our most likely championship game to happen. If the recent results in this growing rivalry shows anything it would be a classic. Team note, like Cleveland, Volcano Vista has a solid coaching staff, talented pieces and at moments look unbeatable.
Group II: Final Four Contenders
3. Capital Jaguars (20-3 overall, 6-1 district)
Why: Capital could be in the long shot for many but I like head coach Gomez and this could be the story-like season with a Final Four or even state championship. The odds against the Jaguars is great so, it would be worth taking the bet. TJ Sanchez has the opportunity to have an early-2000's Jaguar player recognition type post season.
4. Las Cruces Bulldawgs (22-1 overall, 9-0 district)
Why: The Bulldawgs experienced the upset that will be remembered for many years - the first 2-seed to lose to a 15-seed in the State tournament (13-year history of the bracket format; went to 16-teams in 2006). Well, the number one ranked Bulldawgs (NMPreps.com's Week 12 Power-16 Rankings) have everything you'd like in a championship type team. Gives the Virginia type feel.
Group III: Elite Eight Eyes
5. Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (15-7 overall, 5-1 district)
Why: The leader from district one, over the likes of VVHS and Cleveland, is our fifth most likely to win the state championship? The two-time defending championship is in group three of most likely to win the state championship? Is the magic out or will head coach Adrian Ortega and guard Joziah Ramos prove us wrong again?
6. Santa Fe Demons (19-3 overall, 7-0 district)
Why: The two teams that represented the 2019 state championship game lead group III. I feel Santa Fe would have many takers with odds this high. Yes, they have the top ranked prospect in the state. Yes, they are 19-3 on the season and made that magical/Cinderella run last season.
7. Clovis Wildcats (16-7 overall, 2-1 district)
Why: Maybe, the dark horse on our list of teams to make it to the PIT for the 2020 Elite Eight. Yes, the Wildcats have been all over the board from a possible threat to maybe a high seed without Something about the Wildcats has us taking them into the Elite Eight after being 'upset' in 2019 as an 8-seed. The big guy in the middle has left the stress of picking a college home and now can focus on making some history on the hardwood.
8. Eldorado Eagles (18-3 overall, 4-1 district)
Why: The Eagles might have the least believers of the top-ranked teams. They have become the forgotten 18-win team (likely 20-win team) when the brackets are released. The Eagles have one of the best big men in the state in Deraje Agbaosi who could have them as the sleeper in the state.
Group IV: First Round Squads
9. Onate Knights (20-4 overall, 7-3 district)
10. Hobbs Eagles (16-7 overall, 3-0 district)
11. La Cueva Bears (13-8 overall, 4-1 district)
12. Rio Rancho Rams (12-11 overall, 2-3 district)
