Small School Division: Collision To The End
Joshua J Grine
District play will start around the state of New Mexico and we take a look at the action that has happened outside of 6A-4A basketball. We now take a look at the top contenders and players.
Top Contenders
Lordsburg (15-1, 3A Basketball): The Mavericks have returned the major contributors from their last three teams and they have one loss to one of the top teams in Cliff in a one-point loss. They opened the season with 15-game win streak as the last undefeated team to lose. One of the things with the Mavericks is they can shoot and score. They are averaging 64 points a game, ranking them among the most for per game.
Texico (11-4, 3A Basketball): The Wolverines are one team that you see here each season and only four losses, 1 to a 3A team, deserve more attention. This is why: Texico has a different type of team from other 3A favorites in that they have the size factor. This team won't explode for big scoring games like other 3A teams but if they get the game to slow down they can beat any team in the paint and have shown to be solid on defense.
Mesilla Valley Christian (9-7, 3A Basketball): You nay be looking at the SonBlazers record and wondering why they are ranked 3rd and mentioned here. Well, this is the reason their record won't tell the full story. They have losses against top 5A, 4A teams or ranked opponents in general. The 3A defending champs are a team that also has a signature win over Portales but could be lacking more of the signature wins but the win over Portales could be better than most on the list.
Mora (12-4, 2A Basketball): I really like this Mora team this season and the depth of the starting line-up. They have three players averaging double figures with Casimiro Fresquez (19.3 ppg) flying under the radar. Santiago Laumbauch (11.6) and Emmerick Martinez (10.0 ppg) create solid second and third options.
Hondo Valley (16-2, 1A Basketball): Most would be expecting the Cliff Cowboys in this section, right? Well, I have to say that the team I like is the Eagles of Hondo Valley. Head coach James Voight teams play extremely well in transition and the Dexter team he won a title with put up points in a hurry playing small ball. This team is averaging 65 points a game and could be the least talked about team that could win it all. Voight is one of the top rising coaches in the state. The Eagles are riding an 8-game win streak right now and will likely have a top seed.
Surprise Team
Navajo Prep. The Eagles made, what could be one of the best hires this off-season, in bringing in veteran Rick Hoerner. The Eagles are (14-5, 1-0) on the season and have a signature win over 4A Bloomfield and another top 3A team in Dulce.
Potential Mr. Basketball Candidates
It would break the mold as we have yet to have a small school division player win the top award given to a player. We have had around 1 or 2 finalist but we could see a few this season.
Raymond Saucedo/Jacob Esquivel (Lordsburg). Both players have had outstanding games and some games they both have gone for 20 points a piece, for the games we have. Hopefully, we can get season averages before the finalist are announced but for now they have the games to justify a mid-season recognition.
John Paul Garcia (Tucumcari). JP has gone for 30 points, a 40 point game early on and a few near double-doubles. We don't have averages here as well which could hinder a finalist award but for now he is likely one, if not, the top player in small school division basketball.
Dalton Privett (Dora). At 20 points per game and 8 rebounds per contest, you have to take notice for the season Privett is having at this point. The Coyotes post season run, like others, will play factor in his chances.
Other to Keep Any Eye On: Casimiro Fresquez (Mora), Francis Mulert y Castillo (Santa Fe Prep), Jorell Mirabal (Magdalena), Cade Barnard (Melrose), Holt Shelley (Cliff).
3A Top 16
1. Lordsburg (15-1)
2. Texico (11-4)
3. Mesilla Valley Christian (9-7)
4. Pecos (13-5)
5. Santa Rosa (13-6)
6. Tucumcari (11-5)
7. Laguna-Acoma (14-5)
8. Estancia (12-3)
9. Navajo Prep (14-5)
10. Tularosa (9-7)
11. Desert Academy (11-7)
12. Dulce (8-5)
13. Capitan (10-7)
14. Cuba (10-6)
15. Loving (7-4)
16. Dexter (9-8)
Joshua J Grine
District play will start around the state of New Mexico and we take a look at the action that has happened outside of 6A-4A basketball. We now take a look at the top contenders and players.
Top Contenders
Lordsburg (15-1, 3A Basketball): The Mavericks have returned the major contributors from their last three teams and they have one loss to one of the top teams in Cliff in a one-point loss. They opened the season with 15-game win streak as the last undefeated team to lose. One of the things with the Mavericks is they can shoot and score. They are averaging 64 points a game, ranking them among the most for per game.
Texico (11-4, 3A Basketball): The Wolverines are one team that you see here each season and only four losses, 1 to a 3A team, deserve more attention. This is why: Texico has a different type of team from other 3A favorites in that they have the size factor. This team won't explode for big scoring games like other 3A teams but if they get the game to slow down they can beat any team in the paint and have shown to be solid on defense.
Mesilla Valley Christian (9-7, 3A Basketball): You nay be looking at the SonBlazers record and wondering why they are ranked 3rd and mentioned here. Well, this is the reason their record won't tell the full story. They have losses against top 5A, 4A teams or ranked opponents in general. The 3A defending champs are a team that also has a signature win over Portales but could be lacking more of the signature wins but the win over Portales could be better than most on the list.
Mora (12-4, 2A Basketball): I really like this Mora team this season and the depth of the starting line-up. They have three players averaging double figures with Casimiro Fresquez (19.3 ppg) flying under the radar. Santiago Laumbauch (11.6) and Emmerick Martinez (10.0 ppg) create solid second and third options.
Hondo Valley (16-2, 1A Basketball): Most would be expecting the Cliff Cowboys in this section, right? Well, I have to say that the team I like is the Eagles of Hondo Valley. Head coach James Voight teams play extremely well in transition and the Dexter team he won a title with put up points in a hurry playing small ball. This team is averaging 65 points a game and could be the least talked about team that could win it all. Voight is one of the top rising coaches in the state. The Eagles are riding an 8-game win streak right now and will likely have a top seed.
Surprise Team
Navajo Prep. The Eagles made, what could be one of the best hires this off-season, in bringing in veteran Rick Hoerner. The Eagles are (14-5, 1-0) on the season and have a signature win over 4A Bloomfield and another top 3A team in Dulce.
Potential Mr. Basketball Candidates
It would break the mold as we have yet to have a small school division player win the top award given to a player. We have had around 1 or 2 finalist but we could see a few this season.
Raymond Saucedo/Jacob Esquivel (Lordsburg). Both players have had outstanding games and some games they both have gone for 20 points a piece, for the games we have. Hopefully, we can get season averages before the finalist are announced but for now they have the games to justify a mid-season recognition.
John Paul Garcia (Tucumcari). JP has gone for 30 points, a 40 point game early on and a few near double-doubles. We don't have averages here as well which could hinder a finalist award but for now he is likely one, if not, the top player in small school division basketball.
Dalton Privett (Dora). At 20 points per game and 8 rebounds per contest, you have to take notice for the season Privett is having at this point. The Coyotes post season run, like others, will play factor in his chances.
Other to Keep Any Eye On: Casimiro Fresquez (Mora), Francis Mulert y Castillo (Santa Fe Prep), Jorell Mirabal (Magdalena), Cade Barnard (Melrose), Holt Shelley (Cliff).
3A Top 16
1. Lordsburg (15-1)
2. Texico (11-4)
3. Mesilla Valley Christian (9-7)
4. Pecos (13-5)
5. Santa Rosa (13-6)
6. Tucumcari (11-5)
7. Laguna-Acoma (14-5)
8. Estancia (12-3)
9. Navajo Prep (14-5)
10. Tularosa (9-7)
11. Desert Academy (11-7)
12. Dulce (8-5)
13. Capitan (10-7)
14. Cuba (10-6)
15. Loving (7-4)
16. Dexter (9-8)
