NMPreps.com 2015-2016 Preseason Rankings
Today, we start to release our team capsules leading us to our NMPreps.com weekly Top-25 Team Rankings. The season officially starts on November 2nd 2015, less than a week away and we will continue to release our preseason look at all teams, players and coaches this preseason.
Rankings 72-51
With our opening team capsules, we will give a quick overview before we break down the top 50 teams in our countdown.
51. Pojoaque Valley Elks: Always one of the top 4A teams in the state, Pojoaque will look to reload off a 19-10, 3-3 season. The Elks reached the 4A Elite Eight season, falling to district foe Taos (46-35). Adding to that the Elks graduate 10-players from last seasons squad. How does a team with that much talent out the door return, ranked this high? Well, the Elks don't rebuild under Trujillo at the helm and they reload with a talented junior guard in 6'3" James Garcia who as a sophomore was one of the most talented players on the roster.
52. Shiprock Chieftains: The Chieftains are coming off a 14-15, 6-4 season. The Chieftains made the 2015 playoffs, falling in the first round to Pojoaque Valley (55-43). The Chieftains will graduate 7-players from last season and will replace some veteran players. The Chieftains can put up points, average is around 60 per game, but will look to a few new faces to take bigger roles.
53. Deming Wildcats: The first 6A team off the board at No. 53 for our preseason rankings. The Wildcats are coming off a down year at 8-20, 0-8 in which the lost 12 of their last 13 games. They were allowing teams to average 61 points per contest and struggled, and lost, several close contests but just couldn't find any rhythm on the year. This will be year three of the Juan Alvarado era the Wildcats are 21-33 during his two year stint.
54. Sandia Prep Sundevils: It's sort of strange ranking the Sundevils this far back, they are historically in or near the Top-25 as one of those little schools that hold their own. the Sundevils return one of the top players in the state in Dustin Gaddis (2016/F) who averaged 19 points a game, 7 rebounds a game. The Sundevils are coming off one of their lowest win totals in years at 5-22, 1-8 and missing the playoffs for the first time in years.
55. Lovington Wildcats: The Wildcats had a solid two year run but a 13-14 season falling under .500 was a step back for this program. The Wildcats graduate one of the best players in the state last season and will have huge shoes to fill. The last two years they have graduated some talented players and the leap into a higher classification is making the transition tough. They have some young players returning from last season that will look to lead them in 2015-2016. This will be year two under Casey Riddle.
56. Hatch Valley Bears: Another program on the rise and might be a bit high for what they will end up by seasons end. Head coach Derek Bean has done a tremendous job developing the Bears and after a .500 season at 14-14, 2-6 look for them to be a playoff team in 2016. 5-foot-11 Estevan Esparza returns this season and you will likely see a jump in his numbers. Esparza was second in points (8.8) per game. Senior Jared Garay also returns at point this season he lead the team in assists with 3.1.
57. Valencia Jaguars: The Jaguars are coming off a (9-18, 3-7) season in which they failed to reach the playoffs. Jake Herrin will enter his first season as the head coach and his first head coaching job. Herrin served as a lead assistant for the Volcano Vista Hawks the last four years. The Jaguars graduated Quentin Wanstall who went to play at the next level, leaving a void for the Jaguars to fill. Travis Lewis (2016/6'1) will look to take the lead for the Jaguars.
58. Cobre Indians: This program has been down for a few years but currently on the upswing with a 16-13, 7-1 season. The Indians also reached the state tournament along with winning a game and playing for the Elite Eight. The bad news is they graduate a top player in the state in Jordan Benfield along with 7-players. Andru Sanchez (2017) will look to carry the load for the Indians, he averaged 6.9 points per contest as a sophomore. After him though it will be players with limited experience having to fill big holes.
59. Aztec Tigers: The Tigers finished the 2014-2015 season at (10-18, 1-7) last under first year head coach Devon Lapahie. The Tigers found a late season win over Miyamura in back-to-back games but went 4-11 in 2015 (Jan-March) which led to them missing out on the 2015 post season. The Tigers graduate 7-players off last season and will look to one of the 6-returning players to take charge.
60. Ruidoso Warriors: Another team that will be improved drastically in year two (second stint) under head coach Billy Page. The Warriors went 11-17, 2-4 in Page's first season back with the Warriors but featured one of the younger rosters in 4A. They welcome back a future top guard in the classification in Randall Poor Thunder (2016/6'3) who came on strong near the end of the season and garnered all-district honors. A quiet kid that just played ball last season and did it well, he will be fun watch develop under Page.
61. Santa Fe Indian Braves: The Braves found success last season going 12-15 and making the 2015 state tournament falling to Taos in the opening round. They will start year two under head coach Ceci Moses who the Braves improved offensively under going from 49 points per game in 2013-2014 to 61 points per game last season. The Braves only graduate two players from last season and could be one of the dark horse teams in 2015. Francis Calabaza (2016), Job Schimmel (2016) will be some of the players to watch but they welcome back 11 class of 2016 members back.
62. New Mexico Military Institute Colts: The Colts made a run that ended with a runner-up in District 4-4A last season at (10-14, 3-3). They graduate all-star game player Mack Brown but welcome back a big guard in Carlos Xibille (2016) who provided scoring. Xibile is a wing that also will bring up the ball if need but can make things happen off penetration, he has the body to bang when he gets into the paint. You will likely see an increase in his points per game of 10 (ppg) and 5 rebounds, 5 assists per game.
63. Thoreau Hawks: The Thoreau Hawks will also have a new head coach in 2015-2016 in former Grants head coach Ryan Walsh who went 9-18 in his lone season. The Hawks are coming off a 19-11 season and made the 2015 State Tournament, falling in the first round to Portales. The Hawks were able to put up points last season and will need to replace some guard play to duplicate the year they had. They will have a tough time to replace spot up shooter Alfred Smith.
64. Socorro Warriors: The Socorro Warriors finished last season at (11-16, 2-6) missing the 4A post season. They will have a new head coach in Chase Brownfield, who has never been head coach but spent time as an assistant coach for the Grants Pirates from 2008-2012 under former Grants head coach Marty Zeller. The Warriors allowed around 60 points per contest last season and averaged 54 on the offensive end. They will need to improve defensively this coming season. The Warriors graduate 5-players from last season.
65. Los Alamos Hilltoppers: Another program and team searching for some stability and direction. Head coach Mike Kluk enters his second season with the program as the head coach, previous assistant coach that will benefit this program. The Hilltoppers allowed 61 point a game last season and when you play in a district that teams are able to put in points it hurts. They also weren't able to match that by only scoring 39 points a game. Bright side of things is the Hilltoppers return 2018 class members Antonio Trujillo and Jack Stewart. Trujillo lead the team in points at 8.3 and also put in 2.5 rebounds a game. Stewart scored 7.9 points a game, behind Trujillo but had 2.9 rebounds a game. This two will be the face as this program develops.
66. Miyamura Patriots: The next team from 5A basketball is the Patriots of Miaymura. The Patriots are coming off a (6-21, 1-7) season and struggled last season. The program has gone through a plethora of head coaches since opening in 2009 and in our opinion has only hurt them developing a program. The good news for the Patriots fans is they welcome back 10 players from a young team last season and could be a wait and see on which direction they go. They allowed 59 points a game last season and only average around 46 points a game.
67. Bosque Bobcats: Entering the 2015-2016 with their third head coach in as many years. They are coming off a (12-15, 3-7) season and only graduate 4-players from last season. It is unclear the direction the Bobcats will go but they had some late additions to the squad last season that could prove to be a tough opponent this season. Losing a player like Gabe Chaves will hurt this team drastically and will need to find that go-to player early.
68. Wingate Bears: We find it hard to place the Bears this far up but after an (11-16, 4-6) season they could be at the back end again graduating 5-players. Al Martinez is arguable one of the best coaches in the state for doing more with the little that he does. Point guard Kyle Begay a tough guard will make this team go this season and is the type of player to change the outcome of any contest. Look for 6-1 post Logan Shaulis to contribute to the Bears. The Bears allowed more points last season in 62 up from 50 a game in 2013-2014.
69. Chaparral Lobos: The first 5A school on the list for us and some might argue that this team will be better for the 2015-2016 season. Our reason right now, is history hasn't been in favor the Lobos who are coming off a (0-27, 0-10) season but the losing streak is at 29 dating back to 2013-2014 (last win is February 18th, 2014, overtime against Deming - 62-57). The Lobos didn't put up many points last season averaging 34.7 points a game.
70. Hot Springs Tigers: The Tigers play in 4A basketball and will likely move up the rankings quickly but the uncertainty right now is who is going to play the entire season, who's the head coach? Plenty of internal questions from last season but will have talent coming back. Nick Moreno (6'1/Guard/2016) was solid last season and could be one of the top players in the class.
71. East Mountain Timberwolves: The Timberwolves lose their point guard a 2-time All-District player and will be one of the younger teams in 4A. A small school that will struggle but made a great hire this off-season to continue building a program. They will have a pair of junior guards in Isiah Padilla (5'8/PG/2017) and Darryl Pennington (5'7/Guard/2017) that bring leadership and heart to the table.
72. Zuni Thunderbirds: The Thunderbirds were the talk of 4A, even receiving top-10 votes in the early season but finished (9-16, 0-10) and missed the playoffs. They graduated 8-players off that team and could be a another under .500 season in store for the Thunderbirds. Matthew Tsabetsaye (5'9"/Forward/2016) will be the face of this team this season but will need help.
Today, we start to release our team capsules leading us to our NMPreps.com weekly Top-25 Team Rankings. The season officially starts on November 2nd 2015, less than a week away and we will continue to release our preseason look at all teams, players and coaches this preseason.
Rankings 72-51
With our opening team capsules, we will give a quick overview before we break down the top 50 teams in our countdown.
51. Pojoaque Valley Elks: Always one of the top 4A teams in the state, Pojoaque will look to reload off a 19-10, 3-3 season. The Elks reached the 4A Elite Eight season, falling to district foe Taos (46-35). Adding to that the Elks graduate 10-players from last seasons squad. How does a team with that much talent out the door return, ranked this high? Well, the Elks don't rebuild under Trujillo at the helm and they reload with a talented junior guard in 6'3" James Garcia who as a sophomore was one of the most talented players on the roster.
52. Shiprock Chieftains: The Chieftains are coming off a 14-15, 6-4 season. The Chieftains made the 2015 playoffs, falling in the first round to Pojoaque Valley (55-43). The Chieftains will graduate 7-players from last season and will replace some veteran players. The Chieftains can put up points, average is around 60 per game, but will look to a few new faces to take bigger roles.
53. Deming Wildcats: The first 6A team off the board at No. 53 for our preseason rankings. The Wildcats are coming off a down year at 8-20, 0-8 in which the lost 12 of their last 13 games. They were allowing teams to average 61 points per contest and struggled, and lost, several close contests but just couldn't find any rhythm on the year. This will be year three of the Juan Alvarado era the Wildcats are 21-33 during his two year stint.
54. Sandia Prep Sundevils: It's sort of strange ranking the Sundevils this far back, they are historically in or near the Top-25 as one of those little schools that hold their own. the Sundevils return one of the top players in the state in Dustin Gaddis (2016/F) who averaged 19 points a game, 7 rebounds a game. The Sundevils are coming off one of their lowest win totals in years at 5-22, 1-8 and missing the playoffs for the first time in years.
55. Lovington Wildcats: The Wildcats had a solid two year run but a 13-14 season falling under .500 was a step back for this program. The Wildcats graduate one of the best players in the state last season and will have huge shoes to fill. The last two years they have graduated some talented players and the leap into a higher classification is making the transition tough. They have some young players returning from last season that will look to lead them in 2015-2016. This will be year two under Casey Riddle.
56. Hatch Valley Bears: Another program on the rise and might be a bit high for what they will end up by seasons end. Head coach Derek Bean has done a tremendous job developing the Bears and after a .500 season at 14-14, 2-6 look for them to be a playoff team in 2016. 5-foot-11 Estevan Esparza returns this season and you will likely see a jump in his numbers. Esparza was second in points (8.8) per game. Senior Jared Garay also returns at point this season he lead the team in assists with 3.1.
57. Valencia Jaguars: The Jaguars are coming off a (9-18, 3-7) season in which they failed to reach the playoffs. Jake Herrin will enter his first season as the head coach and his first head coaching job. Herrin served as a lead assistant for the Volcano Vista Hawks the last four years. The Jaguars graduated Quentin Wanstall who went to play at the next level, leaving a void for the Jaguars to fill. Travis Lewis (2016/6'1) will look to take the lead for the Jaguars.
58. Cobre Indians: This program has been down for a few years but currently on the upswing with a 16-13, 7-1 season. The Indians also reached the state tournament along with winning a game and playing for the Elite Eight. The bad news is they graduate a top player in the state in Jordan Benfield along with 7-players. Andru Sanchez (2017) will look to carry the load for the Indians, he averaged 6.9 points per contest as a sophomore. After him though it will be players with limited experience having to fill big holes.
59. Aztec Tigers: The Tigers finished the 2014-2015 season at (10-18, 1-7) last under first year head coach Devon Lapahie. The Tigers found a late season win over Miyamura in back-to-back games but went 4-11 in 2015 (Jan-March) which led to them missing out on the 2015 post season. The Tigers graduate 7-players off last season and will look to one of the 6-returning players to take charge.
60. Ruidoso Warriors: Another team that will be improved drastically in year two (second stint) under head coach Billy Page. The Warriors went 11-17, 2-4 in Page's first season back with the Warriors but featured one of the younger rosters in 4A. They welcome back a future top guard in the classification in Randall Poor Thunder (2016/6'3) who came on strong near the end of the season and garnered all-district honors. A quiet kid that just played ball last season and did it well, he will be fun watch develop under Page.
61. Santa Fe Indian Braves: The Braves found success last season going 12-15 and making the 2015 state tournament falling to Taos in the opening round. They will start year two under head coach Ceci Moses who the Braves improved offensively under going from 49 points per game in 2013-2014 to 61 points per game last season. The Braves only graduate two players from last season and could be one of the dark horse teams in 2015. Francis Calabaza (2016), Job Schimmel (2016) will be some of the players to watch but they welcome back 11 class of 2016 members back.
62. New Mexico Military Institute Colts: The Colts made a run that ended with a runner-up in District 4-4A last season at (10-14, 3-3). They graduate all-star game player Mack Brown but welcome back a big guard in Carlos Xibille (2016) who provided scoring. Xibile is a wing that also will bring up the ball if need but can make things happen off penetration, he has the body to bang when he gets into the paint. You will likely see an increase in his points per game of 10 (ppg) and 5 rebounds, 5 assists per game.
63. Thoreau Hawks: The Thoreau Hawks will also have a new head coach in 2015-2016 in former Grants head coach Ryan Walsh who went 9-18 in his lone season. The Hawks are coming off a 19-11 season and made the 2015 State Tournament, falling in the first round to Portales. The Hawks were able to put up points last season and will need to replace some guard play to duplicate the year they had. They will have a tough time to replace spot up shooter Alfred Smith.
64. Socorro Warriors: The Socorro Warriors finished last season at (11-16, 2-6) missing the 4A post season. They will have a new head coach in Chase Brownfield, who has never been head coach but spent time as an assistant coach for the Grants Pirates from 2008-2012 under former Grants head coach Marty Zeller. The Warriors allowed around 60 points per contest last season and averaged 54 on the offensive end. They will need to improve defensively this coming season. The Warriors graduate 5-players from last season.
65. Los Alamos Hilltoppers: Another program and team searching for some stability and direction. Head coach Mike Kluk enters his second season with the program as the head coach, previous assistant coach that will benefit this program. The Hilltoppers allowed 61 point a game last season and when you play in a district that teams are able to put in points it hurts. They also weren't able to match that by only scoring 39 points a game. Bright side of things is the Hilltoppers return 2018 class members Antonio Trujillo and Jack Stewart. Trujillo lead the team in points at 8.3 and also put in 2.5 rebounds a game. Stewart scored 7.9 points a game, behind Trujillo but had 2.9 rebounds a game. This two will be the face as this program develops.
66. Miyamura Patriots: The next team from 5A basketball is the Patriots of Miaymura. The Patriots are coming off a (6-21, 1-7) season and struggled last season. The program has gone through a plethora of head coaches since opening in 2009 and in our opinion has only hurt them developing a program. The good news for the Patriots fans is they welcome back 10 players from a young team last season and could be a wait and see on which direction they go. They allowed 59 points a game last season and only average around 46 points a game.
67. Bosque Bobcats: Entering the 2015-2016 with their third head coach in as many years. They are coming off a (12-15, 3-7) season and only graduate 4-players from last season. It is unclear the direction the Bobcats will go but they had some late additions to the squad last season that could prove to be a tough opponent this season. Losing a player like Gabe Chaves will hurt this team drastically and will need to find that go-to player early.
68. Wingate Bears: We find it hard to place the Bears this far up but after an (11-16, 4-6) season they could be at the back end again graduating 5-players. Al Martinez is arguable one of the best coaches in the state for doing more with the little that he does. Point guard Kyle Begay a tough guard will make this team go this season and is the type of player to change the outcome of any contest. Look for 6-1 post Logan Shaulis to contribute to the Bears. The Bears allowed more points last season in 62 up from 50 a game in 2013-2014.
69. Chaparral Lobos: The first 5A school on the list for us and some might argue that this team will be better for the 2015-2016 season. Our reason right now, is history hasn't been in favor the Lobos who are coming off a (0-27, 0-10) season but the losing streak is at 29 dating back to 2013-2014 (last win is February 18th, 2014, overtime against Deming - 62-57). The Lobos didn't put up many points last season averaging 34.7 points a game.
70. Hot Springs Tigers: The Tigers play in 4A basketball and will likely move up the rankings quickly but the uncertainty right now is who is going to play the entire season, who's the head coach? Plenty of internal questions from last season but will have talent coming back. Nick Moreno (6'1/Guard/2016) was solid last season and could be one of the top players in the class.
71. East Mountain Timberwolves: The Timberwolves lose their point guard a 2-time All-District player and will be one of the younger teams in 4A. A small school that will struggle but made a great hire this off-season to continue building a program. They will have a pair of junior guards in Isiah Padilla (5'8/PG/2017) and Darryl Pennington (5'7/Guard/2017) that bring leadership and heart to the table.
72. Zuni Thunderbirds: The Thunderbirds were the talk of 4A, even receiving top-10 votes in the early season but finished (9-16, 0-10) and missed the playoffs. They graduated 8-players off that team and could be a another under .500 season in store for the Thunderbirds. Matthew Tsabetsaye (5'9"/Forward/2016) will be the face of this team this season but will need help.
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