Cat Battle: (8) Taos at (9) Valencia. An intriguing first road contest with the 9-seed Valencia Jaguars still on the quest to reach the second day of the state tournament, it would be the program first. The pair met last March in the first round at Valencia high school with Taos spoiling the Jaguars first time hosting an opening round game. Do the Jaguars return the favor?
Upset Alert: (11) Del Norte at (6) Los Lunas. We had to put this one on the list with the recent success Del Norte has had as an underdog in March. Head coach Jeron McIntosh has reached the Final Four as a 12-seed (2019) and a 13-seed (2017). They return some players off a last seasons Final Four team but can the Knights match the inside presence of Bryce Santana (Los Lunas)?
Road Magic: (10) Kirtland Central at (7) Espanola Valley. The KC Broncos return to the post season and failing to make the field last season. In 2017, as a 7-seed, the Broncos reached the Elite Eight and hope to advance against the first-year head coach led Sundevils of Espanola Valley. Gabe Martinez will be coaching in his first state bound team after taking over the program last summer. Bronco head coach Brian Dowdy is 3-1 in first round games; the lone loss in 2016 as a 10-seed.
5v12 Eyes: (12) Albuquerque Academy at (5) Hope Christian. 5A features a district re-match, and 4A also brings familiar foes in the contest. The two split its meetings this season with each team winning on their home court. More notes to the game is Abq Academy Chargers head coach Jake Herrin has yet to win a state game. Academy is also making a return to the state field for the first time since in 6-years, the 2013-2014 season was the last appearance. On the other end? Hope Christian head coach Jim Murphy who maybe has the most wins in the post season (someone fact check it).
4A Notes: (14) Lovington and (16) Santa Teresa won their district tournament and giving post season life to their season. Lovington travels to play one of the favorites in 3-seed Highland. 16-Santa Teresa takes on defending state champ Valley (1-seed). 13-seed Grants has life back into the season with interim head coach Landon Chavez going 6-3 since taking over the program. They'll travel to 4-seed Artesia in the opening round. We have 8-coaches (Santa Teresa, Chaparral, Lovington, Grants, Albuquerque Academy, Highland, Valencia, Espanola Valley) who haven't reached the Elite Eight as a boys head coach.
NMPreps Numbers
(1) Valley -20.5 over (16) Santa Teresa
(2) Gallup -22.5 over (15) Chaparral
(3) Highland -9.5 over (14) Lovington
(4) Artesia -10.5 over (13 Grants
(5) Hope Christian -7.5 over (12) Albuquerque Academy
(6) Los Lunas -1.5 over (11) Del Norte
(7) Espanola Valley -3.5 over (10) Kirtland Central
(8) Taos -2.5 over (9) Valencia
Upset Alert: (11) Del Norte at (6) Los Lunas. We had to put this one on the list with the recent success Del Norte has had as an underdog in March. Head coach Jeron McIntosh has reached the Final Four as a 12-seed (2019) and a 13-seed (2017). They return some players off a last seasons Final Four team but can the Knights match the inside presence of Bryce Santana (Los Lunas)?
Road Magic: (10) Kirtland Central at (7) Espanola Valley. The KC Broncos return to the post season and failing to make the field last season. In 2017, as a 7-seed, the Broncos reached the Elite Eight and hope to advance against the first-year head coach led Sundevils of Espanola Valley. Gabe Martinez will be coaching in his first state bound team after taking over the program last summer. Bronco head coach Brian Dowdy is 3-1 in first round games; the lone loss in 2016 as a 10-seed.
5v12 Eyes: (12) Albuquerque Academy at (5) Hope Christian. 5A features a district re-match, and 4A also brings familiar foes in the contest. The two split its meetings this season with each team winning on their home court. More notes to the game is Abq Academy Chargers head coach Jake Herrin has yet to win a state game. Academy is also making a return to the state field for the first time since in 6-years, the 2013-2014 season was the last appearance. On the other end? Hope Christian head coach Jim Murphy who maybe has the most wins in the post season (someone fact check it).
4A Notes: (14) Lovington and (16) Santa Teresa won their district tournament and giving post season life to their season. Lovington travels to play one of the favorites in 3-seed Highland. 16-Santa Teresa takes on defending state champ Valley (1-seed). 13-seed Grants has life back into the season with interim head coach Landon Chavez going 6-3 since taking over the program. They'll travel to 4-seed Artesia in the opening round. We have 8-coaches (Santa Teresa, Chaparral, Lovington, Grants, Albuquerque Academy, Highland, Valencia, Espanola Valley) who haven't reached the Elite Eight as a boys head coach.
NMPreps Numbers
(1) Valley -20.5 over (16) Santa Teresa
(2) Gallup -22.5 over (15) Chaparral
(3) Highland -9.5 over (14) Lovington
(4) Artesia -10.5 over (13 Grants
(5) Hope Christian -7.5 over (12) Albuquerque Academy
(6) Los Lunas -1.5 over (11) Del Norte
(7) Espanola Valley -3.5 over (10) Kirtland Central
(8) Taos -2.5 over (9) Valencia
