Grine: Is Carlsbad the 2017 Favorite To Win The Title?
Joshua J Grine
Today, we take a swirl around the off-season and what to look forward to next season. Please don't miss a beat this off-season as the NMPreps.com team will travel to Team Camps, release stories and have more rankings
Is Carlsbad The 2017 Favorite?
1. Carlsbad Cavemen (2016 6A Runner Up): What?! Yes, be patient as we discuss why they are our ranked number one on our 2017 Favorites.
We Like: Brenden Boatwright, Chris Johnson. This duo is dangerous in the paint and Boatwright, ranked as one of the top players in the state of New Mexico battled injury during the season. Could have been a small setback to his season but Boatwright you can bet will be a man on a mission his senior season. You have to like those stories and journeys that the Cavemen have been building. Elite Eight in 2015, State Title Game 2016, State Champ in 2017?
Head Coach: Jamaal Brown. We, I, likely sound like a broken record. However, since taking over the Cavemen program they have been one of the most improved programs. At one point we have a list (took into account record, post season, wins over higher seeds, etc) of top programs since 2006 and the Cavemen ranked dead last by a long shot.
Addition: Bryce McAlister. The guard sits 6'5 and was missed drastically this season. He will provide a 1-2 punch for the Cavemen that could create issues for opposing guards.
2. Rio Rancho (2016 Champs)
3. Cibola (Elite Eight)
4. Valley (Elite Eight)
5. Cleveland (Final Four)
2017 6A Player of the Year Could Be Just As Close
Clay Patterson of Rio Rancho High School, only a junior took home the award in a very close debate this season. Should be easy to duplicate, correct? Well, you would think so but he has some serious company of this award and one plays on this own team.
Five Players To Watch
Clay Patterson (Rio Rancho) - The winner is a close favorite but the roster returns in its entirety that could affect to some extent in the individual award part.
Brenden Boatwright (Carlsbad) - Battled injury but the double-double post has yet to show his best season yet in my opinion.
Desmond Carpenter (Cibola) - The point guard/combo is one to watch. He's seen what the target feels like and now could shake it off to make a stellar 2016-2017 set up.
Anthony Chavez (Valley) - Chavez, another player who is next level talent that will only be a junior when the season starts. Chavez, is a joy to watch and this team will rely more on him making plays without Saltes in the paint.
Juan Hurt (Rio Rancho) - Yup, another Ram tops the list. Hurt a First Squad All-NMPrpes.com 6A Team this season is a knock it down guard that plays with confidence through the roof. Also, have heard how humble and liked he is on campus - how can you not like a kid like that.
Who Will Have The Biggest Turn-around Season?
Up Trend - Teams that will improve
1. Manzano - Eric Orell has been building this program to fit his style. Well, this could be the breakout year they have been waiting for since his hiring. 6'6 Eric Sonnenberg (2018) and Dakota Powell (2019) are two players that we have an eye on. Won 6-games this season but we could see them as a 12-win team at the least in 2017 doubling their win total.
2. Eldorado - Another team from the "NEW" District 2-6A. The Eagles found themselves in the in the 2016 state tournament as a 17-seed. Well, I could see this 9-win team improve to 17-wins in 2017 nearly double their total from last season. Could see them as DC's.
Down Trend - Teams That Could Take A Step Back
1. Centennial - Welcome to 6A. Also, saying farewell to the only player committed from the 2016 class in Cesar Molina. The welcoming party could be a rough learning one.
2. Onate - Johnny McCants is difficult to replace...... Nothing more. Nothing against this staff or program but I think even they would tell you replacing such a talent is always difficult.
No Trend Is Good Trend..?
1. Santa Fe - Who will be the coach? New district is "better" situation. However, too much non-basketball still going on.
2. Hobbs - Was a bit alarming seeing the Eagles team this season. Did not look like any Hobbs teams I've ever seen.
3. Piedra Vista - The Panthers move to 6A basketball. No that's not a good thing. They should be 5A. They have a good coach but this could take sometime to develop the program as a 6A program.
Joshua J Grine
Today, we take a swirl around the off-season and what to look forward to next season. Please don't miss a beat this off-season as the NMPreps.com team will travel to Team Camps, release stories and have more rankings
Is Carlsbad The 2017 Favorite?
1. Carlsbad Cavemen (2016 6A Runner Up): What?! Yes, be patient as we discuss why they are our ranked number one on our 2017 Favorites.
We Like: Brenden Boatwright, Chris Johnson. This duo is dangerous in the paint and Boatwright, ranked as one of the top players in the state of New Mexico battled injury during the season. Could have been a small setback to his season but Boatwright you can bet will be a man on a mission his senior season. You have to like those stories and journeys that the Cavemen have been building. Elite Eight in 2015, State Title Game 2016, State Champ in 2017?
Head Coach: Jamaal Brown. We, I, likely sound like a broken record. However, since taking over the Cavemen program they have been one of the most improved programs. At one point we have a list (took into account record, post season, wins over higher seeds, etc) of top programs since 2006 and the Cavemen ranked dead last by a long shot.
Addition: Bryce McAlister. The guard sits 6'5 and was missed drastically this season. He will provide a 1-2 punch for the Cavemen that could create issues for opposing guards.
2. Rio Rancho (2016 Champs)
3. Cibola (Elite Eight)
4. Valley (Elite Eight)
5. Cleveland (Final Four)
2017 6A Player of the Year Could Be Just As Close
Clay Patterson of Rio Rancho High School, only a junior took home the award in a very close debate this season. Should be easy to duplicate, correct? Well, you would think so but he has some serious company of this award and one plays on this own team.
Five Players To Watch
Clay Patterson (Rio Rancho) - The winner is a close favorite but the roster returns in its entirety that could affect to some extent in the individual award part.
Brenden Boatwright (Carlsbad) - Battled injury but the double-double post has yet to show his best season yet in my opinion.
Desmond Carpenter (Cibola) - The point guard/combo is one to watch. He's seen what the target feels like and now could shake it off to make a stellar 2016-2017 set up.
Anthony Chavez (Valley) - Chavez, another player who is next level talent that will only be a junior when the season starts. Chavez, is a joy to watch and this team will rely more on him making plays without Saltes in the paint.
Juan Hurt (Rio Rancho) - Yup, another Ram tops the list. Hurt a First Squad All-NMPrpes.com 6A Team this season is a knock it down guard that plays with confidence through the roof. Also, have heard how humble and liked he is on campus - how can you not like a kid like that.
Who Will Have The Biggest Turn-around Season?
Up Trend - Teams that will improve
1. Manzano - Eric Orell has been building this program to fit his style. Well, this could be the breakout year they have been waiting for since his hiring. 6'6 Eric Sonnenberg (2018) and Dakota Powell (2019) are two players that we have an eye on. Won 6-games this season but we could see them as a 12-win team at the least in 2017 doubling their win total.
2. Eldorado - Another team from the "NEW" District 2-6A. The Eagles found themselves in the in the 2016 state tournament as a 17-seed. Well, I could see this 9-win team improve to 17-wins in 2017 nearly double their total from last season. Could see them as DC's.
Down Trend - Teams That Could Take A Step Back
1. Centennial - Welcome to 6A. Also, saying farewell to the only player committed from the 2016 class in Cesar Molina. The welcoming party could be a rough learning one.
2. Onate - Johnny McCants is difficult to replace...... Nothing more. Nothing against this staff or program but I think even they would tell you replacing such a talent is always difficult.
No Trend Is Good Trend..?
1. Santa Fe - Who will be the coach? New district is "better" situation. However, too much non-basketball still going on.
2. Hobbs - Was a bit alarming seeing the Eagles team this season. Did not look like any Hobbs teams I've ever seen.
3. Piedra Vista - The Panthers move to 6A basketball. No that's not a good thing. They should be 5A. They have a good coach but this could take sometime to develop the program as a 6A program.
Last edited:
