Top 15 First-Round Games
Joshua J Grine
1. No. 10 Gadsden vs No. 7 Rio Grande, 6A: I've been tough on Rio Grande picking them as my upset pick. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see them play in the Final Four either. Gadsden and Cano are a headline this season, a team you have to like.
2. No. 6 Albuquerque High vs No. 11 Rio Rancho, 6A: My Cinderella, Final Four team, is the Rams this season. I like Clay Patterson, Juan Hurt and the full court attacking Rams. Keyshawn Banks is a fun, little mentioned, forward that bringss energy in the paint
3. No. 11 Goddard at No. 6 Los Lunas, 5A: Another game mentioned in the upset alert feature but this one should also be in the game to watch if you are in the area. They bring a wealth of player talent along with two top coaches in the state of New Mexico.
4. No. 14 Las Cruces vs No. 3 Cibola, 6A: Maybe not mentioned much this post season this matchup could also be considered in the upset feature. However, we are really high on Cibola and they could be the pick to win it all. LC brings a state title coach in William Benjamin along with a tough as nails, Allen Iverson comparison type, of guard in Markus Collins.
5. No. 11 Santa Fe Indian at No. 6 Bloomfield, 4A: Not just because of the headlines the Braves have had most recently but the fact that it will be sold out and features a Brave team playing well as of late. Bloomfield, however, is a team you want to keep an eye on this post season.
6. No. 10 Navajo Prep at No. 7 Estancia, 3A: Navajo Prep is having one of the best years on the boy's side and they could be in store for an uspet and head to the Metro area for the second round.
7. No. 9 Sandia at No. 8 Hobbs, 6A: Sandia has ventured down to Hobbs, as mentioned by posters - a game I remember. Again, we could see the Matadors going into Tasker and getting a win. The Matadors feature some quality prospects to match up well against the Hobbs players. Pierre Swain is the highlight name for the Eagles but the Matadors have a few defensive minded guards to keep an eye on.
8. No. 12 Shiprock at No. 5 Silver, 4A: If you are in the area, this is one game you want to watch. The Chieftains are coming in on a win streak after winning the 1-4A tournament and a well coached team. Silver, is one of the better, underrated programs in the state and could be a Final Four pick by many.
9. No. 13 Volcano Vista at No. No. 4 Carlsbad, 6A: The Hawks feature a junior forward in Cormier that is a fun, highlight type of player that could take over when he wants too. Carlsbad is the preseason favorite that is playing better and better each week and feature a player that could be ranked in the top 10.
10. No. 10 Belen at No. 7 Gallup, 5A: Colton Lowely and the Gallup Bengals will host a sold out Bengals gym on Saturday night. This town loves its basketball and this one has "too-close" for comfort written all over it.
The Rest
11. Taos at West Las Vegas
12. Socorro at Pojoaque
13. Wingate at Robertson
14. Dora at Fort Sumber.
15. St. Pius at Centennial
Joshua J Grine
1. No. 10 Gadsden vs No. 7 Rio Grande, 6A: I've been tough on Rio Grande picking them as my upset pick. However, I wouldn't be shocked to see them play in the Final Four either. Gadsden and Cano are a headline this season, a team you have to like.
2. No. 6 Albuquerque High vs No. 11 Rio Rancho, 6A: My Cinderella, Final Four team, is the Rams this season. I like Clay Patterson, Juan Hurt and the full court attacking Rams. Keyshawn Banks is a fun, little mentioned, forward that bringss energy in the paint
3. No. 11 Goddard at No. 6 Los Lunas, 5A: Another game mentioned in the upset alert feature but this one should also be in the game to watch if you are in the area. They bring a wealth of player talent along with two top coaches in the state of New Mexico.
4. No. 14 Las Cruces vs No. 3 Cibola, 6A: Maybe not mentioned much this post season this matchup could also be considered in the upset feature. However, we are really high on Cibola and they could be the pick to win it all. LC brings a state title coach in William Benjamin along with a tough as nails, Allen Iverson comparison type, of guard in Markus Collins.
5. No. 11 Santa Fe Indian at No. 6 Bloomfield, 4A: Not just because of the headlines the Braves have had most recently but the fact that it will be sold out and features a Brave team playing well as of late. Bloomfield, however, is a team you want to keep an eye on this post season.
6. No. 10 Navajo Prep at No. 7 Estancia, 3A: Navajo Prep is having one of the best years on the boy's side and they could be in store for an uspet and head to the Metro area for the second round.
7. No. 9 Sandia at No. 8 Hobbs, 6A: Sandia has ventured down to Hobbs, as mentioned by posters - a game I remember. Again, we could see the Matadors going into Tasker and getting a win. The Matadors feature some quality prospects to match up well against the Hobbs players. Pierre Swain is the highlight name for the Eagles but the Matadors have a few defensive minded guards to keep an eye on.
8. No. 12 Shiprock at No. 5 Silver, 4A: If you are in the area, this is one game you want to watch. The Chieftains are coming in on a win streak after winning the 1-4A tournament and a well coached team. Silver, is one of the better, underrated programs in the state and could be a Final Four pick by many.
9. No. 13 Volcano Vista at No. No. 4 Carlsbad, 6A: The Hawks feature a junior forward in Cormier that is a fun, highlight type of player that could take over when he wants too. Carlsbad is the preseason favorite that is playing better and better each week and feature a player that could be ranked in the top 10.
10. No. 10 Belen at No. 7 Gallup, 5A: Colton Lowely and the Gallup Bengals will host a sold out Bengals gym on Saturday night. This town loves its basketball and this one has "too-close" for comfort written all over it.
The Rest
11. Taos at West Las Vegas
12. Socorro at Pojoaque
13. Wingate at Robertson
14. Dora at Fort Sumber.
15. St. Pius at Centennial
