Preseason Rankings: No. 45 Kirtland Central Broncos
The 2015-2016 season has officially started and today we start our countdown of the top 50 programs in New Mexico Big School Division (6A-4A).
More: Preseason Rankings Home | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Broncos return for the 2015-2016 off a promising campaign in 2014-2015 going 11-18, 8-2 in 4A basketball under first year head coach Brian Dowdy.
Overview: The Broncos struggled to start of the season in 2014-2015 going 2-13 in their pre-district schedule but went 8-2 in District making the state tournament. This year the Broncos return with the ability to take off where they left off at the end of last season. They graduate only five players from the 2015 Elite Eight team and have some promising returners that gained experience last season. The Broncos look to point guard and capitan Ty Yellowman (2016) to again lead on the court. Also, Bryson Dowdy (2018) who averaged 8.3 points per contest (second on the team) returns for what could make him one of the top sophomores to watch in the state.
Last Season
Record: 11-18, 8-2
Home Record: 5-5
Away Record: 4-5
Post Season: Made playoffs; Elite Eight loss to Hope Christian.
Points per game: 60.7 (1763)
Points against: 67.72 (1964)
Realistic Prediction: The Broncos will be one of the best teams in 4A basketball with the returning lettermen that they have. Head coach Brian Dowdy had one of the strongest pre-district schedules last season and the experience prepared, developed and got this team ready. This could be a team that will likely be another Elite Eight team and the potential to be a Final Four team. They like to put points up and make the tempo high, which caused problems for some teams. Depending on what their 2015-2016 schedule looks like they could be a .500 team and look to get close to a 20-win season.
District Champ: 90.1%: District will be tough and they will again battle Bloomfield but this might be the best team.
Playoff Team: 99.9%: Playing for a DC could be a reality.
Elite Eight: 76.2%
Final Four: 52%
Title Game: 21%
Returning Players: The Broncos return 10-players and will have six seniors this season along with a stud freshmen that started for the Broncos last season. The Broncos have depth, experience and an overall talented roster at the 4A level, making them a dangerous team that will upset you if you let them get going.
Roster
Riley Hamblin (2016)
Antonie Harry (2016)
Noah Lee (2016)
Ty Yellowman (2016)
Kris Harris-Smith (2016)
Bernel Miller (2016)
Eric Foutz (2017)
Jimmy Nez (2017)
Brian Dowdy (2018)
Jariah Setzer (2018)
The 2015-2016 season has officially started and today we start our countdown of the top 50 programs in New Mexico Big School Division (6A-4A).
More: Preseason Rankings Home | Rankings 72-51 | Preseason Preview Page
The Broncos return for the 2015-2016 off a promising campaign in 2014-2015 going 11-18, 8-2 in 4A basketball under first year head coach Brian Dowdy.
Overview: The Broncos struggled to start of the season in 2014-2015 going 2-13 in their pre-district schedule but went 8-2 in District making the state tournament. This year the Broncos return with the ability to take off where they left off at the end of last season. They graduate only five players from the 2015 Elite Eight team and have some promising returners that gained experience last season. The Broncos look to point guard and capitan Ty Yellowman (2016) to again lead on the court. Also, Bryson Dowdy (2018) who averaged 8.3 points per contest (second on the team) returns for what could make him one of the top sophomores to watch in the state.
Last Season
Record: 11-18, 8-2
Home Record: 5-5
Away Record: 4-5
Post Season: Made playoffs; Elite Eight loss to Hope Christian.
Points per game: 60.7 (1763)
Points against: 67.72 (1964)
Realistic Prediction: The Broncos will be one of the best teams in 4A basketball with the returning lettermen that they have. Head coach Brian Dowdy had one of the strongest pre-district schedules last season and the experience prepared, developed and got this team ready. This could be a team that will likely be another Elite Eight team and the potential to be a Final Four team. They like to put points up and make the tempo high, which caused problems for some teams. Depending on what their 2015-2016 schedule looks like they could be a .500 team and look to get close to a 20-win season.
District Champ: 90.1%: District will be tough and they will again battle Bloomfield but this might be the best team.
Playoff Team: 99.9%: Playing for a DC could be a reality.
Elite Eight: 76.2%
Final Four: 52%
Title Game: 21%
Returning Players: The Broncos return 10-players and will have six seniors this season along with a stud freshmen that started for the Broncos last season. The Broncos have depth, experience and an overall talented roster at the 4A level, making them a dangerous team that will upset you if you let them get going.
Roster
Riley Hamblin (2016)
Antonie Harry (2016)
Noah Lee (2016)
Ty Yellowman (2016)
Kris Harris-Smith (2016)
Bernel Miller (2016)
Eric Foutz (2017)
Jimmy Nez (2017)
Brian Dowdy (2018)
Jariah Setzer (2018)
