Week 14: Mid-Week What To Watch
Joshua J Grine
Today, we highlight the Top-8 games to watch Tuesday and Wednesday night. This is the final week of the regular season.
MARQUEE GAMES
No. 6 Cleveland (18-6, 4-2) at No. 4 Cibola (19-3, 5-1), Tues., 7p: This will be the third meeting between the two squad, both needing extra time to finish. Its a game that could be headlined backcourt vs athletes. The Storm bring their athletes, three d-1 football players, vs one of the best backcourts in the state behind Desmond Carpenter and Cameron Dixon. Expect big plays, scoring as the district is on the line - Cibola wins, they win the district.
Prediction: Cleveland 63, Cibola 62
No. 20 Robertson (21-3, 3-1) at No. 24 West Las Vegas (18-5, 3-1), Wed., 7p: In 4A, the 2nd ranked and 3rd ranked teams in the classification square off with two of the better backcourts in the classification. Junior DJ Bustos will take on Robertson guard Sebastian Gonzales for the District lead in the final week of the district season.
Prediction: Robertson 71, West Las Vegas 62
(No. 21 Gallup (19-5, 5-1) at No. 19 Farmington (20-4, 6-0), Tues., 7p: The Bengals have basically owned the district and have been playing well since the January 29th loss to the Scorpions, their only loss of 2016. The Scorpions are having one of their best seasons' but coming off a loss to Sandia on Saturday. Both teams are evenly match, scoring around 63 points per game.
Prediction: Gallup 60, Farmington 54
Lordsburg (22-1) at Tularosa (15-9), Tues., 6:30p: Jacob Esquivel of Lordsburg (4-0) is quickly growing is name for the 3A player of the year along with Small School Division player of the year will battle with a district leader in Tularosa who is (3-1). The winner takes the title and if the Mavericks claims the win they likely become the 1-seed in March.
Prediction: Lordsburg 63, Lordsburg 50
TOURNAMENT HEADLINES
Top-4 Seed On The Line
No. 15 Espanola Valley (17-7, 4-2) at No. 11 Capital (22-3, 6-1), Wed., 7p: Another contest mid-week that will (basically) crown a regular season district title. The Espanola Valley Sundevils lost the first match at home but home to upset the Jaguars. However, the Jaguars have only been playing better on an already impressive season.
Prediction: Capital 58, Espanola 51
On the Fringe
Eldorado (6-16, 2-4) at La Cueva (9-13, 4-2), Wed., 7p: One of the rivalries that would sell out the gym has lost some flare but has some meaning this week. The Eldorado Eagles looking to play spoiler alert to the Bears playoff hopes. La Cueva is on the bubble and with a loss here they could be missing out on the tournament.
Prediction: Eldorado 54, La Cueva 53
Arguing for Eight
No. 14 Gadsden (16-8, 4-2) at Las Cruces (13-12, 3-4), Tues., 7p: The Gadsden Panthers from District 3-6A are arguing for a Top-8 seed in the state tournament next month. A win here could move them closer to securing the slot. Las Cruces on the bubble still looking to make a case for a 12-16 seed. Gadsden led by senior shooting guard Tomas Cano and off-guard Joshua Bailey battle the duo in Markus Collins (So) and Mike Uribe.
Prediction: Las Cruces 55, Gadsden 49
Better Bubble
Santa Fe (9-14, 2-4) at Volcano Vista (9-13, 2-5), Tues., 7p: Somewhat odd but both 9-win teams are 'locks' for the state tournament. I don't see how the NMAA selection committee would leave both off at this point. However, better safe than sorry as neither team could afford to lose this contest. Both have some talent on the roster. The size factor is in favor of the Hawks who have bigger guards and inside presence but the Demons 5'8 guard Santi Gonzales plays a big role at 14 points per contest.
Prediction: Volcano Vista 53, Santa Fe 50
Grine Picks
Well, another successful weekend for Grine Picks going 8-0, it was close with Valley pick hitting a last shot to win the game. The other toss up was Robertson and Pojoaque, with the Cardinals winning the in the end 45-40.
Last Week: 14-2 (8-0 Weekend; 6-2 Mid-Week)
Overall Record: 45-11
Joshua J Grine
Today, we highlight the Top-8 games to watch Tuesday and Wednesday night. This is the final week of the regular season.
MARQUEE GAMES
No. 6 Cleveland (18-6, 4-2) at No. 4 Cibola (19-3, 5-1), Tues., 7p: This will be the third meeting between the two squad, both needing extra time to finish. Its a game that could be headlined backcourt vs athletes. The Storm bring their athletes, three d-1 football players, vs one of the best backcourts in the state behind Desmond Carpenter and Cameron Dixon. Expect big plays, scoring as the district is on the line - Cibola wins, they win the district.
Prediction: Cleveland 63, Cibola 62
No. 20 Robertson (21-3, 3-1) at No. 24 West Las Vegas (18-5, 3-1), Wed., 7p: In 4A, the 2nd ranked and 3rd ranked teams in the classification square off with two of the better backcourts in the classification. Junior DJ Bustos will take on Robertson guard Sebastian Gonzales for the District lead in the final week of the district season.
Prediction: Robertson 71, West Las Vegas 62
(No. 21 Gallup (19-5, 5-1) at No. 19 Farmington (20-4, 6-0), Tues., 7p: The Bengals have basically owned the district and have been playing well since the January 29th loss to the Scorpions, their only loss of 2016. The Scorpions are having one of their best seasons' but coming off a loss to Sandia on Saturday. Both teams are evenly match, scoring around 63 points per game.
Prediction: Gallup 60, Farmington 54
Lordsburg (22-1) at Tularosa (15-9), Tues., 6:30p: Jacob Esquivel of Lordsburg (4-0) is quickly growing is name for the 3A player of the year along with Small School Division player of the year will battle with a district leader in Tularosa who is (3-1). The winner takes the title and if the Mavericks claims the win they likely become the 1-seed in March.
Prediction: Lordsburg 63, Lordsburg 50
TOURNAMENT HEADLINES
Top-4 Seed On The Line
No. 15 Espanola Valley (17-7, 4-2) at No. 11 Capital (22-3, 6-1), Wed., 7p: Another contest mid-week that will (basically) crown a regular season district title. The Espanola Valley Sundevils lost the first match at home but home to upset the Jaguars. However, the Jaguars have only been playing better on an already impressive season.
Prediction: Capital 58, Espanola 51
On the Fringe
Eldorado (6-16, 2-4) at La Cueva (9-13, 4-2), Wed., 7p: One of the rivalries that would sell out the gym has lost some flare but has some meaning this week. The Eldorado Eagles looking to play spoiler alert to the Bears playoff hopes. La Cueva is on the bubble and with a loss here they could be missing out on the tournament.
Prediction: Eldorado 54, La Cueva 53
Arguing for Eight
No. 14 Gadsden (16-8, 4-2) at Las Cruces (13-12, 3-4), Tues., 7p: The Gadsden Panthers from District 3-6A are arguing for a Top-8 seed in the state tournament next month. A win here could move them closer to securing the slot. Las Cruces on the bubble still looking to make a case for a 12-16 seed. Gadsden led by senior shooting guard Tomas Cano and off-guard Joshua Bailey battle the duo in Markus Collins (So) and Mike Uribe.
Prediction: Las Cruces 55, Gadsden 49
Better Bubble
Santa Fe (9-14, 2-4) at Volcano Vista (9-13, 2-5), Tues., 7p: Somewhat odd but both 9-win teams are 'locks' for the state tournament. I don't see how the NMAA selection committee would leave both off at this point. However, better safe than sorry as neither team could afford to lose this contest. Both have some talent on the roster. The size factor is in favor of the Hawks who have bigger guards and inside presence but the Demons 5'8 guard Santi Gonzales plays a big role at 14 points per contest.
Prediction: Volcano Vista 53, Santa Fe 50
Grine Picks
Well, another successful weekend for Grine Picks going 8-0, it was close with Valley pick hitting a last shot to win the game. The other toss up was Robertson and Pojoaque, with the Cardinals winning the in the end 45-40.
Last Week: 14-2 (8-0 Weekend; 6-2 Mid-Week)
Overall Record: 45-11
