Saturday: Champions Crowned, Resumes Improved
Joshua J. Grine
NMPreps.com was on had for 8 games on Saturday between both boys and girls basketball at the Artesia City of Champions tournament. 8 games add to 21 games altogether this weekend alone.
THE CHAMPIONS
City of Champions: Gallup 50, Pojoaque Valley 39
The Richard Rangel tenure is off to a 5-3 start and claim the championship of the Artesia City of Champions tournament held at the Bulldog Pit. Matthew Begay the 6-foot-5 wing for the Bengals led the way with 17-points on the night. The Bengals had to battle the entire game as the Pojoaque Valley Elks (5-1) were tied most of the way and even took the lead in the second half. At about the 5:40 mark in the 4th quarter is when the Bengals pulled away to a 19-10 fourth quarter. The Bengals also went an impressive 12 for 12 from the FT that helped late in the final quarter. Junior guard James Garcia paced the way for the Elks with 12-points. Shawn Eskeets also in double figures for the Bengals with 14-points.
Sandia Prep Invite: No. 20 Española Valley 55, No. 21 Silver 46
AZ Salazar, who earned MVP of the Sandia Prep Sundevil Invite led the way for the No. 20 Espanola Valley Sundevils with 12 points on the night. Marcos Flores with 12 and James Archuleta 11 points were the other two Sundevils in double figures for the Sundevils. The Sundevils move to 7-2 on the season. Silver moves to (2-1) to open their season.
Capital City Invite: No. 16 Capital 54, Santa Fe 44
Top senior guard Eric Coca takes home the MVP award for the Capital City Invite (Santa Fe High School) with a top performance the entire weekend. The No. 16 Capital Jaguars move to (7-1) on the season with the win over crosstown rival.
Other notable players on the all tournament team: Tomas Cano (Gadsden), Andres Villa (Deming), Santi Gonzales (Santa Fe High), Eric Shendelwein (St. Mikes), John Rigatti (Desert Academy), Everett Robinson (Santa Fe), Oscar Perez (Santa Fe), Augie Larranaga (Capital) and Jeremy Anaya (Capital).
Marv Sanders Tournament: Farmington 61, Piedra Vista 54
Winning their first championship since 2003 of their own classic the Farmington Scorpions improve to 5-1 on the season with a quality win over crosstown foe Piedra Vista (4-2), 61-54. Tyren King led the way for the Farmington Scorpions with 19 points on the evening. King also earned the tournaments most valuable player award. Piedra Vista was paced by Keegan Acosta who finished the night with 18 points. Jason Garrett was also in double figures for the PV Panthers with 11 points.
OTHER CHAMPIONS
No. 9 Valley won the Joe Armijo Tournament with the upset win over No. 4 Onate, 45-41. The No. 10 Roswell Coyotes with an impressive, 74-39 title win over the 5A reigning champs Centennial Hawks. Lordsburg went on to win the J. May Classic in Tularosa over the host Tularosa, 47-35. Jacob Esquivel led the way for Lordsburg with 19 points.
NMPREPS.COM ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Each week the team at NMPreps.com highlights the top players for the week and this weekend we add our All-Tournament team for the jam packed weekend of basketball games. We take all of the tournaments and create one team to highlight the best players in the state.
Eric Coca, Capital HS: MVP of the Capital City Invite. Nightly the leader and solidifying himself as one of the top players in the state of New Mexico.
Matthew Begay, Gallup HS: Under the radar player to this point but Begay is a smooth player and nightly proved that he is the number two to the duo of him and Lowely of Gallup.
Juan Hurt, Rio Rancho HS: Nothing can stop, Hurt, not even a busted lip as Hurt led the way for the Rams with a big game against Chaparral. Hurt was hot all day from the outside. Hurt had 16 points on the final night. Another duo like Begay as Hurt has Patterson.
Tomas Cano, Gadsden HS: Every time you turn around Cano is having a top night for the Panthers as they are searching for respect around the state. Cano had a 25 point night and a 22 point night.
AZ Salazar, Espanola Valley HS: Salazar took home the MVP honors of the Sundevil invite for his consistent play each night for the Sundevils. Salazar had a game high 13-points of the championship.
James Garcia, Pojoaque Valley HS: Another under the radar type of players who could place himself among the Top-25 players in the entire state as the outside shooting 6-4 wing is a talented player and he is only a junior.
Johnny McCants, Onate HS: Big games nightly with back to back double-doubles in the Joe Armijo Tournament. The Knights also took down the number one team in the state of New Mexico in Carlsbad with McCants having 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Anthony Chavez, Valley HS: Chavez again proves again why we consider him one of the top players in the state and maybe the best point guard in the state. Chavez is smooth off the dribble and makes senior decisions with the ball, yet the guard is only a sophomore.
Daniel Amador, Roswell HS: It's hard not to place this young fella on the team after an impressive, maybe top performance of the season with 46-points in a win during the Hub City Tournament in Belen.
Tyren King, Farmington HS: King had 19 points to lead the Scorpions to their first championship at their Marv Sanders Invite since 2003. King also took home MVP honors for the tournament.
WE LOVE TOURNAMENT TALK: BOOST
Roswell - Boost: No other team made a bigger statement as the No. 2 team in 5A dominated the defending champs in the title game.
Farmington - Boost: The opening loss to Grants had us scratching our heads but the Scorps are back on track.
Pojoaque Valley - Boost: In 4A hoops we normally print Hope on the trophy, well this Elks team looked solid in the title game vs Gallup. Keep an eye on them.
Robertson - Boost: Another 4A team that you have to like and should buy big on the Cardinals. Veteran club that has been working towards this season.
Gallup - Boost: Well, the Bengals were disrespected by someone in the preseason (Not me....okay me) but now I say buy. They have a solid starting five.
Chaparral - Boost: Yes, they broke the 36-game losing streak but this team could actually be an underrated team (Yes, I know they are 1-9) but they aren't bad. 4th place in the 6 team district is not a stretch.
Mayfield - Boost: Another team that you can't judge on their record. This team could battle for a runner up spot with Gadsden.
BLOG: THIS AND THAT
Well, I attended 20 games the past three days and I could go for some more hoops. I know it's just the start but after 20 games in three days, nearly 40 hours of basketball I have to say I love this state.
I mentioned this a lot already but if you haven't taken a trip to Artesia - GO. The facilities alone are the best in New Mexico, not one place better in terms of facilities. Next, the people are first class. I can't speak more highly of a place and I've almost been to every gym 6A-4A in New Mexico. The entire town, every place I went just good people. If I did a ranking on my favorite stops, Artesia moves to number one, even on my first visit. It's a special place. Plus, this may come as a surprise, they feed me too much (Well, not really I think I ate too much of their food if they told you the story.) I am not taking anything away from other places but I not only enjoyed my time, treated with first class hospitality but gained friendships with some amazing people. Thank you Artesia.
Next, trip to the SE corner will be December 28th at the Hobbs Holiday Classic and then to the Poe Corn Tournament the same week.
SCOREBOARD
Saturday
Bernalillo 66, Miyamura 40
Carlsbad 69, Del Norte 42
Cleveland 64, Kirtland Central 53
Del Valle (TX) 53, Santa Teresa 37
Deming 71, Santa Fe Indian 60
Eldorado 63, West Mesa 56
Espanola Valley 55, Silver 46
Farmington 61, Piedra Vista 54
Farwell, TX 64, Texico 46
Gallup 50, Pojoaque Valley 39
Gateway 73, Loving 54
Hondo Valley 73, San Jon 53
Irvin (TX) 45, Santa Teresa 22
Las Cruces 46, Durango, CO 44
Logan 48, Clayton 45
Lordsburg 47, Tularosa 35
Los Lunas 53, Clovis 32
Mayfield 75, EP Austin (TX) 32
Melrose 62, Dora 56
Mesilla Valley 58, East Mountain 54
Rio Grande 63, Belen 44
Rio Rancho 76, Chaparral 37
Robertson 66, Sandia Prep 52
Roswell 74, Centennial 39
Santa Fe Waldorf 58, Grady 57
Santa Rosa 68, Hatch Valley 65
Taos 56, Mora 51
Tucumcari 62, NACA 35
Valley 45, Onate 41
Joshua J. Grine
NMPreps.com was on had for 8 games on Saturday between both boys and girls basketball at the Artesia City of Champions tournament. 8 games add to 21 games altogether this weekend alone.
THE CHAMPIONS
City of Champions: Gallup 50, Pojoaque Valley 39
The Richard Rangel tenure is off to a 5-3 start and claim the championship of the Artesia City of Champions tournament held at the Bulldog Pit. Matthew Begay the 6-foot-5 wing for the Bengals led the way with 17-points on the night. The Bengals had to battle the entire game as the Pojoaque Valley Elks (5-1) were tied most of the way and even took the lead in the second half. At about the 5:40 mark in the 4th quarter is when the Bengals pulled away to a 19-10 fourth quarter. The Bengals also went an impressive 12 for 12 from the FT that helped late in the final quarter. Junior guard James Garcia paced the way for the Elks with 12-points. Shawn Eskeets also in double figures for the Bengals with 14-points.
Sandia Prep Invite: No. 20 Española Valley 55, No. 21 Silver 46
AZ Salazar, who earned MVP of the Sandia Prep Sundevil Invite led the way for the No. 20 Espanola Valley Sundevils with 12 points on the night. Marcos Flores with 12 and James Archuleta 11 points were the other two Sundevils in double figures for the Sundevils. The Sundevils move to 7-2 on the season. Silver moves to (2-1) to open their season.
Capital City Invite: No. 16 Capital 54, Santa Fe 44
Top senior guard Eric Coca takes home the MVP award for the Capital City Invite (Santa Fe High School) with a top performance the entire weekend. The No. 16 Capital Jaguars move to (7-1) on the season with the win over crosstown rival.
Other notable players on the all tournament team: Tomas Cano (Gadsden), Andres Villa (Deming), Santi Gonzales (Santa Fe High), Eric Shendelwein (St. Mikes), John Rigatti (Desert Academy), Everett Robinson (Santa Fe), Oscar Perez (Santa Fe), Augie Larranaga (Capital) and Jeremy Anaya (Capital).
Marv Sanders Tournament: Farmington 61, Piedra Vista 54
Winning their first championship since 2003 of their own classic the Farmington Scorpions improve to 5-1 on the season with a quality win over crosstown foe Piedra Vista (4-2), 61-54. Tyren King led the way for the Farmington Scorpions with 19 points on the evening. King also earned the tournaments most valuable player award. Piedra Vista was paced by Keegan Acosta who finished the night with 18 points. Jason Garrett was also in double figures for the PV Panthers with 11 points.
OTHER CHAMPIONS
No. 9 Valley won the Joe Armijo Tournament with the upset win over No. 4 Onate, 45-41. The No. 10 Roswell Coyotes with an impressive, 74-39 title win over the 5A reigning champs Centennial Hawks. Lordsburg went on to win the J. May Classic in Tularosa over the host Tularosa, 47-35. Jacob Esquivel led the way for Lordsburg with 19 points.
NMPREPS.COM ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Each week the team at NMPreps.com highlights the top players for the week and this weekend we add our All-Tournament team for the jam packed weekend of basketball games. We take all of the tournaments and create one team to highlight the best players in the state.
Eric Coca, Capital HS: MVP of the Capital City Invite. Nightly the leader and solidifying himself as one of the top players in the state of New Mexico.
Matthew Begay, Gallup HS: Under the radar player to this point but Begay is a smooth player and nightly proved that he is the number two to the duo of him and Lowely of Gallup.
Juan Hurt, Rio Rancho HS: Nothing can stop, Hurt, not even a busted lip as Hurt led the way for the Rams with a big game against Chaparral. Hurt was hot all day from the outside. Hurt had 16 points on the final night. Another duo like Begay as Hurt has Patterson.
Tomas Cano, Gadsden HS: Every time you turn around Cano is having a top night for the Panthers as they are searching for respect around the state. Cano had a 25 point night and a 22 point night.
AZ Salazar, Espanola Valley HS: Salazar took home the MVP honors of the Sundevil invite for his consistent play each night for the Sundevils. Salazar had a game high 13-points of the championship.
James Garcia, Pojoaque Valley HS: Another under the radar type of players who could place himself among the Top-25 players in the entire state as the outside shooting 6-4 wing is a talented player and he is only a junior.
Johnny McCants, Onate HS: Big games nightly with back to back double-doubles in the Joe Armijo Tournament. The Knights also took down the number one team in the state of New Mexico in Carlsbad with McCants having 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Anthony Chavez, Valley HS: Chavez again proves again why we consider him one of the top players in the state and maybe the best point guard in the state. Chavez is smooth off the dribble and makes senior decisions with the ball, yet the guard is only a sophomore.
Daniel Amador, Roswell HS: It's hard not to place this young fella on the team after an impressive, maybe top performance of the season with 46-points in a win during the Hub City Tournament in Belen.
Tyren King, Farmington HS: King had 19 points to lead the Scorpions to their first championship at their Marv Sanders Invite since 2003. King also took home MVP honors for the tournament.
WE LOVE TOURNAMENT TALK: BOOST
Roswell - Boost: No other team made a bigger statement as the No. 2 team in 5A dominated the defending champs in the title game.
Farmington - Boost: The opening loss to Grants had us scratching our heads but the Scorps are back on track.
Pojoaque Valley - Boost: In 4A hoops we normally print Hope on the trophy, well this Elks team looked solid in the title game vs Gallup. Keep an eye on them.
Robertson - Boost: Another 4A team that you have to like and should buy big on the Cardinals. Veteran club that has been working towards this season.
Gallup - Boost: Well, the Bengals were disrespected by someone in the preseason (Not me....okay me) but now I say buy. They have a solid starting five.
Chaparral - Boost: Yes, they broke the 36-game losing streak but this team could actually be an underrated team (Yes, I know they are 1-9) but they aren't bad. 4th place in the 6 team district is not a stretch.
Mayfield - Boost: Another team that you can't judge on their record. This team could battle for a runner up spot with Gadsden.
BLOG: THIS AND THAT
Well, I attended 20 games the past three days and I could go for some more hoops. I know it's just the start but after 20 games in three days, nearly 40 hours of basketball I have to say I love this state.
I mentioned this a lot already but if you haven't taken a trip to Artesia - GO. The facilities alone are the best in New Mexico, not one place better in terms of facilities. Next, the people are first class. I can't speak more highly of a place and I've almost been to every gym 6A-4A in New Mexico. The entire town, every place I went just good people. If I did a ranking on my favorite stops, Artesia moves to number one, even on my first visit. It's a special place. Plus, this may come as a surprise, they feed me too much (Well, not really I think I ate too much of their food if they told you the story.) I am not taking anything away from other places but I not only enjoyed my time, treated with first class hospitality but gained friendships with some amazing people. Thank you Artesia.
Next, trip to the SE corner will be December 28th at the Hobbs Holiday Classic and then to the Poe Corn Tournament the same week.
SCOREBOARD
Saturday
Bernalillo 66, Miyamura 40
Carlsbad 69, Del Norte 42
Cleveland 64, Kirtland Central 53
Del Valle (TX) 53, Santa Teresa 37
Deming 71, Santa Fe Indian 60
Eldorado 63, West Mesa 56
Espanola Valley 55, Silver 46
Farmington 61, Piedra Vista 54
Farwell, TX 64, Texico 46
Gallup 50, Pojoaque Valley 39
Gateway 73, Loving 54
Hondo Valley 73, San Jon 53
Irvin (TX) 45, Santa Teresa 22
Las Cruces 46, Durango, CO 44
Logan 48, Clayton 45
Lordsburg 47, Tularosa 35
Los Lunas 53, Clovis 32
Mayfield 75, EP Austin (TX) 32
Melrose 62, Dora 56
Mesilla Valley 58, East Mountain 54
Rio Grande 63, Belen 44
Rio Rancho 76, Chaparral 37
Robertson 66, Sandia Prep 52
Roswell 74, Centennial 39
Santa Fe Waldorf 58, Grady 57
Santa Rosa 68, Hatch Valley 65
Taos 56, Mora 51
Tucumcari 62, NACA 35
Valley 45, Onate 41
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