Grine's 'Mohs Hardness Scale' of favorites to win the state championship.
As we dive into Week 14, also known as District Tournament Week, and with one-game playoffs set for Monday evening, we present Grine's 'Mohs Hardness Scale' of favorites to win the state championship. This feature offers a unique take on the traditional 'contenders/pretenders' analysis. While others will regurgitate grades or tiers, we've opted for our annual mineral hardness scale, measuring relative resistance to scratching. In this context, it represents our favorites to win the title, comparing them against all teams in each class, and how we rank the most likely to win the state championship. #nmpreps
Talc (Scale Number 1)
Hardness: Talc, rated as the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is commonly used in various industrial applications.
Teams: (15) Roswell, (16) Las Cruces, (17) Rio Rancho, (18) Capital - Two of these teams will secure a spot in the tournament, while the other two will be left out. However, this season isn't likely to see a 15 or 16 seed upset a 1 or 2 seed. It's probable that one of these teams will occupy the 15th or 16th slot.
Gypsum (Scale Number 2)
Hardness: Gypsum, with a rating of 2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a soft mineral commonly used in construction materials.
Teams: (13) Albuquerque, (14) Farmington - These teams have had solid seasons, akin to those in Calcite, but their journey is likely to end in the first round.
Calcite (Scale Number 3)
Hardness: Calcite, rated 3 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a mineral known for its variety of colors and crystal forms.
Teams: (11) Alamogordo, (12) Clovis - Both teams have exceeded preseason expectations, but they're unlikely to advance past the first round at state.
Fluorite (Scale Number 4)
Hardness: Fluorite, with a rating of 4 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a colorful mineral known for its fluorescent glow under ultraviolet light.
Teams: (10) Sandia - The young Matadors have shown promise, but they're likely a year away from reaching the PIT and Elite Eight. However, an upset wouldn't be out of the question, explaining their placement in this group.
Apatite (Scale Number 5)
Hardness: Apatite, rated 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a phosphate mineral known for its moderate hardness and wide variety of colors.
Teams: (8) Eldorado, (9) Santa Fe - Both teams have shown strong performances, but it's unlikely that both will advance to the Elite Eight. Expect one to lose in the opening round.
Orthoclase (Scale Number 6)
Hardness: Orthoclase, rated 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a common mineral known for its moderate durability.
Teams: (7) Los Lunas - While boasting the top-ranked player in Jalin Holland, they may struggle to advance beyond the Elite Eight.
Quartz (Scale Number 7)
Hardness: Quartz, with a rating of 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is known for its toughness and durability.
Teams: (6) West Mesa - The talent is undoubtedly present, but West Mesa didn't finish February on a high note, and their historical performance doesn't favor them. Can the Mustangs make it to the Final Four? It's been quite a while since they last did - perhaps not since the 90s.
Topaz (Scale Number 8)
Hardness: Topaz is a durable gemstone known for its brilliance and clarity
Teams: (4) Organ Mountain, (5) La Cueva - While La Cueva possesses the talent to contend with Atrisco and Cleveland, I lean towards Organ Mountain due to their March performance and Coach Rocky Gonzales' ability to instill determination in the Knights despite their talent gap with La Cueva or our #1-#3 teams, Brandon Kehres adds strength to their lineup as a top five player in New Mexico.
Corundum (Scale Number 9)
Hardness: Corundum is renowned for its durability and is second only to diamond on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Teams: (2) Atrisco Heritage, (3) Cleveland - While some may argue for Organ Mountain's inclusion here, the talent depth disparity between these two teams is notable. If they end up on opposite sides of Volcano Vista, one of them could face off against the Hawks in the title game.
Diamond (Scale Number 10)
Hardness: This mineral is known for its exceptional resistance to scratching.
Teams: (1) Volcano Vista - The Hawks are undoubtedly the cream of the crop in New Mexico. Barring a catastrophic collapse, they are poised to secure their third consecutive title. With an abundance of talent and Greg Brown's coaching prowess, they are on track to etch their names in history alongside the best of the best
As we dive into Week 14, also known as District Tournament Week, and with one-game playoffs set for Monday evening, we present Grine's 'Mohs Hardness Scale' of favorites to win the state championship. This feature offers a unique take on the traditional 'contenders/pretenders' analysis. While others will regurgitate grades or tiers, we've opted for our annual mineral hardness scale, measuring relative resistance to scratching. In this context, it represents our favorites to win the title, comparing them against all teams in each class, and how we rank the most likely to win the state championship. #nmpreps
Talc (Scale Number 1)
Hardness: Talc, rated as the softest mineral on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is commonly used in various industrial applications.
Teams: (15) Roswell, (16) Las Cruces, (17) Rio Rancho, (18) Capital - Two of these teams will secure a spot in the tournament, while the other two will be left out. However, this season isn't likely to see a 15 or 16 seed upset a 1 or 2 seed. It's probable that one of these teams will occupy the 15th or 16th slot.
Gypsum (Scale Number 2)
Hardness: Gypsum, with a rating of 2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a soft mineral commonly used in construction materials.
Teams: (13) Albuquerque, (14) Farmington - These teams have had solid seasons, akin to those in Calcite, but their journey is likely to end in the first round.
Calcite (Scale Number 3)
Hardness: Calcite, rated 3 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a mineral known for its variety of colors and crystal forms.
Teams: (11) Alamogordo, (12) Clovis - Both teams have exceeded preseason expectations, but they're unlikely to advance past the first round at state.
Fluorite (Scale Number 4)
Hardness: Fluorite, with a rating of 4 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a colorful mineral known for its fluorescent glow under ultraviolet light.
Teams: (10) Sandia - The young Matadors have shown promise, but they're likely a year away from reaching the PIT and Elite Eight. However, an upset wouldn't be out of the question, explaining their placement in this group.
Apatite (Scale Number 5)
Hardness: Apatite, rated 5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a phosphate mineral known for its moderate hardness and wide variety of colors.
Teams: (8) Eldorado, (9) Santa Fe - Both teams have shown strong performances, but it's unlikely that both will advance to the Elite Eight. Expect one to lose in the opening round.
Orthoclase (Scale Number 6)
Hardness: Orthoclase, rated 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is a common mineral known for its moderate durability.
Teams: (7) Los Lunas - While boasting the top-ranked player in Jalin Holland, they may struggle to advance beyond the Elite Eight.
Quartz (Scale Number 7)
Hardness: Quartz, with a rating of 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, is known for its toughness and durability.
Teams: (6) West Mesa - The talent is undoubtedly present, but West Mesa didn't finish February on a high note, and their historical performance doesn't favor them. Can the Mustangs make it to the Final Four? It's been quite a while since they last did - perhaps not since the 90s.
Topaz (Scale Number 8)
Hardness: Topaz is a durable gemstone known for its brilliance and clarity
Teams: (4) Organ Mountain, (5) La Cueva - While La Cueva possesses the talent to contend with Atrisco and Cleveland, I lean towards Organ Mountain due to their March performance and Coach Rocky Gonzales' ability to instill determination in the Knights despite their talent gap with La Cueva or our #1-#3 teams, Brandon Kehres adds strength to their lineup as a top five player in New Mexico.
Corundum (Scale Number 9)
Hardness: Corundum is renowned for its durability and is second only to diamond on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
Teams: (2) Atrisco Heritage, (3) Cleveland - While some may argue for Organ Mountain's inclusion here, the talent depth disparity between these two teams is notable. If they end up on opposite sides of Volcano Vista, one of them could face off against the Hawks in the title game.
Diamond (Scale Number 10)
Hardness: This mineral is known for its exceptional resistance to scratching.
Teams: (1) Volcano Vista - The Hawks are undoubtedly the cream of the crop in New Mexico. Barring a catastrophic collapse, they are poised to secure their third consecutive title. With an abundance of talent and Greg Brown's coaching prowess, they are on track to etch their names in history alongside the best of the best
