Week 8 Recap: Grab Your Coat The Storm Is Starting
Joshua J. Grine
Like every week we go in with our picks, we quickly then have to re-think what we thought we knew. Today, like every week on NMPreps.com we recap the week that was.
Trends: The Big Three From The Week
1. Cleveland Wins The APS and Now We Have a Favorite
The Storm have four losses on their resume but three basically erase themselves as they were to California based teams during a trip to West Coast in week seven. They went 4-0 this week beating the, then, No. 1 Valley Vikings (58-39), No. 3 Cibola (66-54 OT), La Cueva (66-46) and Highland (72-53). They have clearly drawn the line and placed themselves in tier one that is quickly closing in on a handful of teams. They'll finish their non-district schedule with Clovis and Manzano, so basically entering district play 14-4.
2. Hey Don't Forget About Us Just Yet... We Are Still The Champs, Right?
After a season of ups and downs the Hobbs Eagles end week eight at 8-4 overall and looking to take form before district play. The defending 6A champions have had its share of hiccups (Goddard anyone) but like any season you want to peak at the right moment and that seems to be the case. We don't (well, sometimes we do) buy a team after a pair of games but the Eagles demolished then ranked No. 12 Gadsden 70-47 and looking like they could enter the conversation of tier 1.
3. You Remember The Last Time We Had A Top Guard, Right?
In 2004, the Jaguars had one of my favorite guards that I have ever seen play (Yes, I gave my opinion) in Mikey Dominguez. That same year the Jaguars hit the scene winning the state title 64-60 over Deming. Well, the Capital Jaguars once again have one of the best guards in the classification or state in Eric Coca with a supporting cast like Jeremy Anaya and Isaac Brooks. The Jaguars are streaking at 13-wins and 14-1 overall making the case for the 1-seed in the March state tournament.
The Leftovers: Other Unofficial Awards
Each week we announce our Weekly Award winners, Team of the Week, Coach of the Week and Player of the Week. Well, here we give out our awards for those that might fly under the radar.
4. Hall Pass (Impressive Player) - Sean Eskeets, Gallup HS
Have you heard the name (and don't live in the four corner area)? Maybe, so he played well when we seen him in Artesia earlier this season. Well, Eskeets the saavy no non-sense, fearless guard had a 24-point performance as the Gallup Bengals upset the then No. 1 team in 5A-Grants.
5. Free Lunch Ticket (On the Rise Player) - Marcus Medina, Hope Christian
We all know the duo that Hope has in Jordan Leake and Calen Meyer-Hagen. Well, the third part is Marcus Medina who had a stellar week with 24 points vs Albuquerque High, 18 vs. Eldorado and 13 vs Cibola.
6. Homework Pass (The New Player) - Braxton Bouyer, Manzano
The Monarchs are trying to get their name out there and they beat Top-25 ranked Sandia, a district opponent. Bouyer went for 24 points in the win and will quickly find himself among the top players in district 2-6A.
7. Student of the Week (Consistently Among the Best) - Daniel Amador, Roswell
No slowing down for Amador as the Coyotes are winning big each week and his 21 point performance against Clovis and 17 in a big win over Carlsbad has us thinking the NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Award is closer than expected.
8. Parking Spot (Top Coach) - Sean Jimenez, Rio Grande
He's already taken home a coach of the week award this season putting him in the conversation for coach of the year but a 3-1 week has us taking a closer look at the Pride of the Valley in the Ravens.
9. District Ride (Coach on the Rise) - Manuel Romero, Robertson
The 4A Cardinals are ranked in the top-25 and Romero has this squad playing well. They traveled to Portales for the Shootout and went 3-0. This could be the team to watch in March and might be the challenger 4A basketball needs.
EXTRA JUMPERS: QUESTIONS
10. Tourney Worthy: Are the Artesia Bulldogs 5A tournament worthy? We were high on the Bulldogs, we like the Bulldogs, but a 4-point win over Tohatchi and a resume hurting will a run in district be enough?
11. Bubble Worthy: Are the Sandia Matadors more of a bubble pop team? The Matadors went 1-3 during the APS Metro Championships. They have been Top-25 ranked all season (that could change in week 9) and have a resume that might keep them at home during March with a 3-7 record.
12. Puzzled Resume: The Taos Tigers took a hit with an overtime loss on the road to Socorro over the week. They head to the Hope Tournament this week, which is hard as it is, but a 2-1 is needed. They open with Zuni, a win -right?
13. Can't Afford Another Loss: The Cavemen might have taken a shotgun seat to Hobbs as the drive for the District 4-6A Championship. The Cavemen went 0-3 last week with losses to Roswell, EP Cathedral and Onate. At, 9-6 they are still a playoff team but a home game might be out of reach unless they start winning. Next three games are Artesia, Volcano Vista and Eldorado.
RAPID FIRE
Matchbox 20 Playlist of Songs
14. Hang: Volcano Vista - Right now they are more of a 13-16 seed on the bubble and it doesn't get any easier with dates with Hope, Carlsbad and Hobbs before district they need a win to Hang in the field.
15: Push: Belen - The Eagles have been left out of the conversation by those experts (okay, I'm no expert) and I apologize but this team could be Pushing for a Top-8 seed. At, 8-3 they might be the challenger for the district title with Centennial.
16. If You're Gone: Albuquerque High - The Bulldogs might have fallen out of the Top-8 after this week with a loss to Rio Grande and going 2-2 on the week. If they are gone, then who? Rio Grande, Atrisco or maybe a runner up from 3-6A?
Joshua J. Grine
Like every week we go in with our picks, we quickly then have to re-think what we thought we knew. Today, like every week on NMPreps.com we recap the week that was.
Trends: The Big Three From The Week
1. Cleveland Wins The APS and Now We Have a Favorite
The Storm have four losses on their resume but three basically erase themselves as they were to California based teams during a trip to West Coast in week seven. They went 4-0 this week beating the, then, No. 1 Valley Vikings (58-39), No. 3 Cibola (66-54 OT), La Cueva (66-46) and Highland (72-53). They have clearly drawn the line and placed themselves in tier one that is quickly closing in on a handful of teams. They'll finish their non-district schedule with Clovis and Manzano, so basically entering district play 14-4.
2. Hey Don't Forget About Us Just Yet... We Are Still The Champs, Right?
After a season of ups and downs the Hobbs Eagles end week eight at 8-4 overall and looking to take form before district play. The defending 6A champions have had its share of hiccups (Goddard anyone) but like any season you want to peak at the right moment and that seems to be the case. We don't (well, sometimes we do) buy a team after a pair of games but the Eagles demolished then ranked No. 12 Gadsden 70-47 and looking like they could enter the conversation of tier 1.
3. You Remember The Last Time We Had A Top Guard, Right?
In 2004, the Jaguars had one of my favorite guards that I have ever seen play (Yes, I gave my opinion) in Mikey Dominguez. That same year the Jaguars hit the scene winning the state title 64-60 over Deming. Well, the Capital Jaguars once again have one of the best guards in the classification or state in Eric Coca with a supporting cast like Jeremy Anaya and Isaac Brooks. The Jaguars are streaking at 13-wins and 14-1 overall making the case for the 1-seed in the March state tournament.
The Leftovers: Other Unofficial Awards
Each week we announce our Weekly Award winners, Team of the Week, Coach of the Week and Player of the Week. Well, here we give out our awards for those that might fly under the radar.
4. Hall Pass (Impressive Player) - Sean Eskeets, Gallup HS
Have you heard the name (and don't live in the four corner area)? Maybe, so he played well when we seen him in Artesia earlier this season. Well, Eskeets the saavy no non-sense, fearless guard had a 24-point performance as the Gallup Bengals upset the then No. 1 team in 5A-Grants.
5. Free Lunch Ticket (On the Rise Player) - Marcus Medina, Hope Christian
We all know the duo that Hope has in Jordan Leake and Calen Meyer-Hagen. Well, the third part is Marcus Medina who had a stellar week with 24 points vs Albuquerque High, 18 vs. Eldorado and 13 vs Cibola.
6. Homework Pass (The New Player) - Braxton Bouyer, Manzano
The Monarchs are trying to get their name out there and they beat Top-25 ranked Sandia, a district opponent. Bouyer went for 24 points in the win and will quickly find himself among the top players in district 2-6A.
7. Student of the Week (Consistently Among the Best) - Daniel Amador, Roswell
No slowing down for Amador as the Coyotes are winning big each week and his 21 point performance against Clovis and 17 in a big win over Carlsbad has us thinking the NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball Award is closer than expected.
8. Parking Spot (Top Coach) - Sean Jimenez, Rio Grande
He's already taken home a coach of the week award this season putting him in the conversation for coach of the year but a 3-1 week has us taking a closer look at the Pride of the Valley in the Ravens.
9. District Ride (Coach on the Rise) - Manuel Romero, Robertson
The 4A Cardinals are ranked in the top-25 and Romero has this squad playing well. They traveled to Portales for the Shootout and went 3-0. This could be the team to watch in March and might be the challenger 4A basketball needs.
EXTRA JUMPERS: QUESTIONS
10. Tourney Worthy: Are the Artesia Bulldogs 5A tournament worthy? We were high on the Bulldogs, we like the Bulldogs, but a 4-point win over Tohatchi and a resume hurting will a run in district be enough?
11. Bubble Worthy: Are the Sandia Matadors more of a bubble pop team? The Matadors went 1-3 during the APS Metro Championships. They have been Top-25 ranked all season (that could change in week 9) and have a resume that might keep them at home during March with a 3-7 record.
12. Puzzled Resume: The Taos Tigers took a hit with an overtime loss on the road to Socorro over the week. They head to the Hope Tournament this week, which is hard as it is, but a 2-1 is needed. They open with Zuni, a win -right?
13. Can't Afford Another Loss: The Cavemen might have taken a shotgun seat to Hobbs as the drive for the District 4-6A Championship. The Cavemen went 0-3 last week with losses to Roswell, EP Cathedral and Onate. At, 9-6 they are still a playoff team but a home game might be out of reach unless they start winning. Next three games are Artesia, Volcano Vista and Eldorado.
RAPID FIRE
Matchbox 20 Playlist of Songs
14. Hang: Volcano Vista - Right now they are more of a 13-16 seed on the bubble and it doesn't get any easier with dates with Hope, Carlsbad and Hobbs before district they need a win to Hang in the field.
15: Push: Belen - The Eagles have been left out of the conversation by those experts (okay, I'm no expert) and I apologize but this team could be Pushing for a Top-8 seed. At, 8-3 they might be the challenger for the district title with Centennial.
16. If You're Gone: Albuquerque High - The Bulldogs might have fallen out of the Top-8 after this week with a loss to Rio Grande and going 2-2 on the week. If they are gone, then who? Rio Grande, Atrisco or maybe a runner up from 3-6A?
