Santa Fe High athletic trainer held ....

David Romero Jr., who has been the athletic trainer at Santa Fe High for the past four years, was arrested Wednesday and charged with one felony count of child solicitation using an electronic communication device.
You can read more at the New Mexican home site and at former sports reporter Geoff Grammer's cops blog, Santa Fe Crime.

If you haven't heard ...

We reported earlier today that the Lady Horsemen Christmas Tournament has been postponed until New Year's Eve.
The schedule also will change for the final day.
Here is the schedule:
*Seventh place, Moriarty vs. Santa Rosa, 10 a.m.
*Fifth place, Silver vs. Albuquerque Rio Grande, 11:30 a.m.
*Third place, Capital vs. Espanola Valley, 1 p.m.
*Championship, St. Michael's vs. Taos, 2:30 p.m.

Even with the snow falling in the North ,,,,

The games for tonight will continue.
That means all games for the Lady Horsemen Christmas Tournament at St. Michael's High School and the Tri-Cities Invitational at Pecos are on schedule.

The games for the semifinals tonight for go like this:
Lady Horsemen Christmas Tournament
Española Valley vs. Taos, 4:30 p.m.
Capital vs. St. Michael's, 6 p.m.

Tri-Cities Invitational
Peñasco vs. Mora, 4:30 p.m.
McCurdy School vs. Pecos, 6 p.m.

Basketball games postponements for Friday ...

Yes, the St. Michael's-Santa Fe High boys basketball game is postponed after snow pounded the city for the past two days. It is just one of a series of postponements for the day.
Also not playing:

Boys
Santa Fe Indian School at Española Valley
Desert Academy vs. Albuquerque Menaul (Bugg Light Invite)
Santa Fe Waldorf at Bugg Light Invite
Kirtland Central at Pojoaque Valley
Pecos at Springer
Girls
Miyamura at SFIS
Desert Academy at Albuquerque Menaul (Bugg Light Invite)
Monte del Sol at Bugg Light Invite
Pojoaque Valley at Socorro

Florida High School Athletic Association brings hammer down on private school

Mandarin Christian School of Jacksonville, Fla., was hit hard by sanctions from the FHSAA after a series of violations, mostly regarding recruiting prospective student athletes to the schools. And people in New Mexico want to complain about the private school issues here ...
Just check this out.

First prep basketball poll of the 2010-11 season

For those basketball addicts, here are the coaches polls for this week.
Enjoy.


Boys
Class AAAAA
1. Albuquerque Eldorado(4) 123
2. Albuquerque La Cueva (4) 122
3. Clovis (6) 121
4. Las Cruces Oñate 71
5. Rio Rancho Cleveland 68
6. Albuquerque West Mesa 62
7. Albuquerque Manzano 48
8. Albuquerque High 40
9. Albuquerque Highland 28
10. Albuquerque Volcano Vista 26
Also receiving votes: Las Cruces Mayfield 25, Las Cruces High 16, Albuquerque Valley 7, Albuquerque Cibola 4, Hobbs 3, Gadsden 3, Albuquerque Sandia 2, Alamogordo 1.
Class AAAA
1. Española Valley (9) 133
2. Roswell (3) 113
3. Capital (1) 101
4. Gallup (1) 80
5. Grants 76
6. Piedra Vista 74
7. Valencia 53
8. Santa Teresa 46
9. Kirtland Central 28
10. Albuquerque St. Pius X 23
Also receiving votes: Albuquerque Academy 20, Los Lunas 18, Santa Fe High 18, Roswell Goddard 12, Belen 12, Los Alamos 10, Artesia 5, Farmington 2, Deming 1.
Class AAA
1. Albuquerque Hope Christian (7)88
2. Albuquerque Sandia Prep (2) 83
3. St. Michael's 68
4. Lovington 57
5. Portales 46
6. Pojoaque Valley 45
7. Las Vegas Robertson 26
8. Wingate 20
9. Santa Fe Indian School 19
10. Taos 16
Also receiving votes: Silver 13, Socorro 7, Hot Springs 5, Ruidoso 2.
Class AA
1. Bosque School (5) 105
2. Tularosa (5) 102
3. Mesilla Valley Christian (1) 91
4. Texico (1) 62
5. Santa Rosa 55
6. Mesa Vista 52
7. Mora 32
8. Peñasco 27
9. Pecos 25
10. Rehoboth 24
Also receiving votes: Estancia 21, Clayton High School 21, Santa Fe Prep 14, Dexter 9, Monte del Sol 5, Navajo Pine 5, Tucumcari 4, Loving 3, Cuba 2, Laguna Acoma 1.
Class A
1. Hagerman (4) 65
2. Cliff (2) 59
3. Springer (1) 47
4. Fort Sumner 42
5. Floyd 33
6. (tie) Logan 27
6. (tie) Dora 27
8. Des Moines 20
9. (tie) Questa 13
9. (tie) McCurdy School 13
Also receiving votes: Jal 12, Gallup Catholic 10, Albuquerque Menaul 8, Ramah 3, Coronado 2, Melrose 2, Escalante 2.
Class B
1. Quemado (3) 30
2. Elida 24
3. Reserve 21
4. (tie) San Jon 19
4. (tie) Carrizozo 19
6. (tie) Wagon Mound 14
6. (tie) Valley Christian Academy 14
8. Hondo Valley 10
9. Grady 6
10. Clovis Christian 4
Also receiving votes: Maxwell 2, Roy 1, Walatowa 1.
Girls
Class AAAAA
1. Albuquerque Eldorado (8) 125
2. Albuquerque La Cueva (4) 114
3. Las Cruces Mayfield (2) 91
4. Albuquerque Cibola 90
5. Albuquerque Sandia 78
6. Clovis 54
7. Rio Rancho Cleveland 49
8. Hobbs 48
9. Albuquerque Volcano Vista 46
10. Albuquerque Valley 27
Also receiving votes: Las Cruces 19, Carlsbad 12, Las Cruces Oñate 8, Albuquerque Manzano 6, Rio Rancho 2, Albuquerque High 1.
Class AAAA
1. Kirtland Central (7) 88
2. Roswell (2) 74
3. Gallup 68
4. Piedra Vista 63
5. Albuquerque Del Norte 45
6. Española Valley 32
7. Grants 31
8. Albuquerque Academy 29
9. (tie) Miyamura 14
9. (tie) Valencia 14
Also receiving votes: Artesia 13, Albuquerque St. Pius X 10, Deming 5, Chaparral 4, Los Alamos 4, Bernalillo 1.
Class AAA
1. Lovington (4) 75
2. Santa Fe Indian School (3) 73
3. Albuquerque Hope Christian (1) 65
4. Portales 43
5. Shiprock 41
6. West Las Vegas 35
7. Ruidoso 26
8. Pojoaque Valley 23
9. St. Michael's 22
10. Hot Springs 13
Also receiving votes: Las Vegas Robertson 8, Taos 8, Socorro 2, Hatch Valley 2, Wingate 2, Thoreau 1, Silver 1.
Class AA
1. Texico (6) 69
2. Tularosa 49
3. Navajo Pine (1) 43
4. Navajo Prep 37
5. (tie) Estancia 28
5. (tie) Peñasco 28
7. Clayton 23
8. Lordsburg 16
9. Santa Rosa 15
10. (tie) Mora 13
10. (tie) Magdalena 13
Also receiving votes: Tucumcari 10, Rehoboth 9, Mesilla Valley Christian 9, Mesa Vista 6, Pecos 4, Dulce 3, Newcomb 3, Laguna Acoma 3, Bosque School 3, Cloudcroft 1.
Class A
1. (tie) Des Moines (4) 88
1. (tie) Cliff High School (4) 88
3. Fort Sumner (2) 82
4. Tatum (1) 79
5. Dora 56
6. Animas 49
7. Floyd 34
8. Jal 33
9. Cimarron 27
10. Melrose 24
Also receiving votes: Springer 16, Escalante 13, Ramah 13, Logan 10, Mescalero Apache 9, Coronado 9, Gallup Catholic 7, Desert Academy 7, McCurdy School 6, Tse Yi Gai 5, Questa 5.
Class B
1. Elida (2) 50
2. (tie) Grady (4) 48
2. (tie) Carrizozo 48
4. Hondo Valley 40
5. Reserve 31
6. Roy 29
7. Corona 27
8. San Jon 21
9. Quemado 15
10. Walatowa 9
Also receiving votes: Clovis Christian 6. Lake Arthur 2, Vaughn 2, Santa Fe Waldorf 1, Valley Christian Academy 1.

After (ANOTHER) long respite, I return with a bang ... literally

Well, I don't, but Arcadia DeSoto County (Fla.) basketball player Mason Holland sure will. Monday, he announced his presence with ... Ummm .. Authority??
Thanks to the Palm Beach Post's blog, here's a story about when anger management goes wrong ...

Go to 1:23 of the video to see the incident.

District 2AAAA football update from Los Alamos ...

Los Alamos scored 19 unanswered points to beat Santa Fe High 19-14. Read Will Webber's story in Saturday's New Mexican for all the details.

The return of what I was supposed to do last week (AKA The week that will be)

So after a week hiatus - thanks Capital-Santa Fe High boys soccer!! - I return to tell whatever masses are still reading this what's happening this week. I won't waste your time - or my fingers - on a huge intro. Just read and enjoy:

Wednesday
I could have gone with St. Michael's-Monte del Sol boys soccer, but the Dragons are in free fall (good-bye sleeper status, MDS). How about Capital-Santa Fe High volleyball? It's the Demonettes' "Dig Pink" match and I encourage everyone who can go and support breast cancer awareness, please do. Besides, don't get overshadowed by Pojoaque Valley's performance the next day (read on, please).
So, because he is perhaps the most deserving coach of such space, here's my recommendation:

Volleyball
New Mexico School for the Deaf at Santa Fe Waldorf, 5 p.m.
The skinny - This is a key District 1B matchup - key in that it's the Lady Wolves one shot at making noise in the district. The Lady Roadrunners are one of the top teams in Class B and surely the team to beat in the district. Waldorf just ended a 25-match losing streak last week - and we salute you, Daniel Wendland, for never ducking a call when it would have been easy for you to do the last two years - and here's hoping the Lady Wolves make some noise (with apologies to NMSD). And, yes, it's because Wendland calls after every match, win or lose.

Thursday
Boys soccer
Santa Fe Preparatory at Capital, 6 p.m.
The skinny - The Santa Fe City Soccer Championship can be wrapped up with a Blue Griffins win. A loss throws everything into chaos - although I imagine the city teams aren't fretting over that. They're too busy thinking about district play - 2AAAA for Capital (second behind Los Alamos), 2A-AAA for Santa Fe Prep (tied for the lead with St. Michael's). So am I.

Volleyball
Santa Fe Indian School at Pojoaque Valley, 7 p.m.
The skinny - This isn't so much about what's happening on the volleyball court of Ben Lujan Gymnasium. It's more about the generosity of a few hundred fans. Last year, the Elkettes' "Dig Pink" game raised $7,600. What can the fine folks at Pojoaque Valley do this year? The event also hits home for both sides: Pojoaque assistant Melissa Ainsworth (wife of head coach Brian Ainsworth) is going through treatment for breast cancer. SFIS assistant Patrice Chavez also has battled the disease.
Give what you can (Or more), folks.

Friday
Girls soccer
St. Michael's at Bosque School, 4 p.m.
The skinny - The winner here should get the third seed for the Class A-AAA State Tournament in three weeks. The operative word is should. The Lady Horsemen still have a match against Santa Fe Prep that could decide the District 2A-AAA title (depending on what the Prepettes do at Portales). If the Lady Horsemen can't produce a district crown for their resume, then these 80 minutes are moot. Of course, if they don't win here, a top-four seed might in jeopardy, too.

Football
Santa Fe High at Los Alamos, 7 p.m.
The skinny - The one major stumbling block before an Oct. 29 battle royale with Bernalillo for the District 2AAAA title - it's in green-and-gold and hasn't lost to the Demons in ... Well, ages. How about 1997, to be exact? (Don't try and pass that forfeit in 1998 as a win). More history also can be made with a Demons win. How about the third non-losing season since 1986? And the chance for a district title, the first since ... Well, 1986! Get used to hearing about that date. Because if the Demons win and set up a battle with Bernalillo for the district title, you'll be hearing it a lot.

Capital at Española Valley, 7 p.m.
The skinny - What's the deal with two winless teams being in this section? Well, for Espanola Valley's Joe Jiron, it's his first game against players he coached last year as the Jaguars' offensive line coach. Oh, and it is the last chance both schools have for a win.

Saturday
Cross country
Rio Rancho Jamboree, 9 a.m.
The skinny - Everybody in the state will be at Rio Rancho High School for this event. And i mean EVERYBODY. This event serves as the appetizer for the cross country main course to come in three weeks ... at Rio Rancho. The runners want to get a sneak preview at what they will face at that time - although they should remember it from last year and the year before that and the year before that ... Still, it's the third biggest event outside of the state championship and the Lobos Invitational in September.

Help the homeless, get suspended ...

St. Cloud's head football coach Bill Buldini learned what happens when he reached out to a homeless player that he took in. The gesture was in good faith, too bad it violated Florida High School Athletics Association bylaws. After a mea culpa, he was reinstated.
There's the story from the Osceola newspaper

The week that will be: Sept. 28-Oct. 2

The intensity ratchet ups a few notches as the district season begins for those teams that haven't started yet - specifically District 2AAAA/5AAA/2AAA/2AA volleyball; 2AAAA soccer - and the opening week brings some big events.
Let's start with tonight District 5AAA volleyball begins - Yes, folks, get used to saying 5AAA instead of 2AAA if you haven't already. Tonight Pojoaque Valley, losers of its last three matches against Class AAAAA's No. 3 (Rio Rancho Cleveland) and No. 2 (Rio Rancho) plus AAAA's No. 3 (Artesia) team, play Santa Fe Indian School in a big match right off the bat.
The Elkettes are the No. 1 team in AAA; the Lady Braves are No. 2. But SFIS is hurting badly- it lost hitter Lakeshia Padilla to a knee injury that appears season-ending (that goes for basketball too). SFIS at less than 100 percent isn't a match for battle-tested Pojoaque.
Can the Lady Braves win a game? That might what they hinge their hopes on.

About a mile away - in Perez-Shelley Gymnasium at St. Michael's - the No. 3 Lady Horsemen entertain No. 5 Albuquerque Sandia Prep in another 5AAA opener. The Lady Sundevils have wins over AAAA Moriarty (twice) and Roswell Goddard plus AAAAA Highland (warning here, though: Capital owns a win over the Lady Hornets, too). St. Michael's struggled for a weekend without hitter Alexa Chavez, but the team's most vital offensive piece returned last week. St. Michael's has been tested time and again, which will only bode well in this district. This will be the more exciting match of the two, but give the nod to the hosts.

Thursday
District 2AAAA volleyball
Santa Fe High at Española Valley, 7 p.m.
The skinny: Welcome to District 2AAAA volleyball, Demonettes. They bring one of the best hitters in the North in Shivaughn Hatt, but Española has a bit more depth in the hitting department. While Los Alamos is the favorite in the district, the gap between the rest and the Lady Hilltoppers is not as great. So a good start is essential for both teams.

Nondistrict football
St. Michael's at Albuquerque St. Pius X, 7 p.m.
The skinny: The state's largest Catholic schools battle to see who prays better to the same God. Seriously, This will be another tough game for the Horsemen, as the Sartans are battle tested as well. Don't let a 1-4 mark fool you. St. Pius has played tough in all of its games. Even a 63-28 loss to Aztec was a 42-28 score to start the fourth quarter. St. Michael's comes off an in credible rushing performance as it collected more than 500 yards on the ground. If the offensive line keeps up its dominating push, the Horsemen should be able to run crazy again.

Friday
District 2AA volleyball
Peñasco at Santa Fe Prep, 6:30 p.m.
The skinny: In past years, the Blue Griffins had to concern themselves with getting by Mora in the district. In a newly formed 2AA, add the Panthers to that list. Peñasco comes in with an 11-1 record and a lot of momentum, having won two regular season tournaments in the process. Santa Fe Prep comes in at 8-2 and with one of its stronger teams in years. The winner gains the upper hand in the quest to dethrone the Rangerettes.

Note to Demons fans: Yes, Santa Fe High plays Friday. But it's Taos. In fact, the Demons should be 4-3 heading into the meat of its district schedule in mid October: a finish of Los Alamos, Bernalillo and Capital.

Saturday
District 2AAAA soccer
Capital at Los Alamos, 1 p.m.
Skinny: The Jaguars proved its one of the top teams in AAAA after beating Piedra Vista and Farmington on back-to-back days 10 days ago. But these are the Hilltoppers, the kings of this district. Beat them, and Capital just might be a dark horse for next month's state tournament. If you don't, the pretender tag stays.
Your move, Capital.

The weekend that will be Sept. 17-18

I'm trying a new idea for my blog by giving you the heads up on what is coming this weekend around the area. I might - or might not - provide my predictions (if it strikes me, so sue me. Seriously, I'd like to know the grounds so that I know where I can and can't tread. It's not a threat. just a challenge.)
The next two days has plenty for a high school sports fan to chew on - and get heartburn. And just about every sport will be represented (but shouldn't they always?). So without further ado, let's go to the highlights:

Football
St. Michael's at Las Vegas Robertson, Friday, 7 p.m.
The skinny: The former district rivals meet for the first .... blah, blah, blah. You've read enough about that. This game really will determine who is the best in the North. Thanks to Socorro's win over Raton, the margin between the Ponies, the Cards and the Tigers is paper thin. Maybe even smaller.
This game features two teams that love to do two things: run and play defense. If this game is over in an hour, I wouldn't be shocked. What I will be shocked about is if either quarterback Robertson's Daniel Martinez or St. Michael's Michael Wiegel pass for more than 100 yards. If they do, it's not a good sign.
So I will say the winner will be the team that passes for the least amount of yards.
The loser? West Las Vegas, which plays Ruidoso at home - the newly renovated Frank Herrera Complex. I hear it's a nice place. But just like a tree in a forest, if nobody is around to look at it, does any one care?
Bold prediction: St. Michael's 24, Robertson 20. (To avoid last-second field goal drama for newbie Will Webber).

Note to the Santa Fe High and Capital football fans. Yes your teams play Friday, but it's ROBERTSON-ST. MICHAEL'S!!!! Just like next week it will be ST. MICHAEL'S-SANTA FE HIGH!!!!


Fort Sumner at McCurdy School, Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Remember the whole Charlie Brown-kicking-the-football comic strips? Well, Lucy (Fort Sumner) insists that this time she won't pull the ball away. Good luck with that, Charlie (Bobcats.)

Volleyball
Tournament of Champions, Friday and Saturday
The skinny: Are you bored of watching Pojoaque Valley dominate? I'm sure the rest of the North is, too. So here's your chance (Santa Fe High, Robertson, Capital, St. Michael's, West Las Vegas, Española Valley, Santa Fe Indian School, this means you!) to stop the carousel. Chances are you won't. Wait, make that you won't.

Boys soccer
Santa Fe Preparatory at Albuquerque Hope Christian, Friday, 3 p.m.
The skinny: Read the following statements on Saturday:
- The Blue Griffins are 7-0.
- They are Class A-AAA contenders.
- They avenged themselves against the Huskies, who beat them in a monsoon-soaked shootout 3-2 last year.
- They just beat the No. 3 team in A-AAA.
You know what you want to read, Santa Fe Prep.
So do it.

Monte del Sol at St. Michael's, Saturday, 1 p.m.
The skinny: Desert Academy is a distance fourth - maybe fifth? - in District 2A-AAA. Monte del Sol has a chance to make this a three-team race. The Horsemen, on the other hand, can turn this into what this district has been prior to 2009: An exclusive club that only Santa Fe Prep is a member of. Besides, the new guy usually fumbles his way around the room at your parties any way. Why bother of letting him in?

Cross country
Valdez Memorial Invitational, Pecos High School, Saturday, 9 a.m.
The skinny: Watch Antonio Varela run. Nothing more needs to be said.

Live blog: Atrisco Heritage-Santa Fe High

I am using coveritlive.com to live blog tonight's football game. Go to coveritlive.com and look for "Atrisco Heritage-Santa Fe High football" under live events.

Soccer rankings, as of Friday

Here are this week's soccer rankings, thanks to the coaches poll with www.nmsoccer.com. First place votes are in parentheses.
Forgive the uncoordinated fonts (stupid cut-and-paste!).
Still, enjoy.


Boys
Class AAAAA
1. La Cueva (7) 89
2. Las Cruces Mayfield (3) 84
3. Eldorado 66
4. Las Cruces 62
5. Cibola 41
6. Gadsden 31
7. Sandia 34
8. Rio Rancho Cleveland 28
9. West Mesa 25
10. Volcano Vista 23

Class AAAA
1. St. Pius X (8) 79
2. Belen 59
3. Los Alamos 58
4. Roswell 56
5. Alb. Academy (1) 55
6. Los Lunas 29
7. Roswell Goddard 25
8. Farmington 22
9. Piedra Vista 20
10. Santa Teresa 17

Class A-AAA
1. Bosque School (7) 70
2. Sandia Prep 63
3. Rehoboth 51
4. St. Michael's 44
5. Hope Christian 43
6. Santa Fe Prep 36
7. Taos 22
8. Ruidoso 15
9. Monte del Sol 11
10. Desert Academy 9

Girls
Class AAAAA
1. Sandia (4) 66
2. Cleveland (2) 58
3. Eldorado 47
4. (tie) Volcano Vista (1) 46
4. (tie) La Cueva 46
6. Las Cruces 35
7. Cibola 24
8. Rio Rancho 22
9. Mayfield 13
10. Carlsbad 8

Class AAAA
1. Alb. Academy (4) 40
2. St. Pius X 32
3. Farmington 30
4. Del Norte 29
5. Los Alamos 27
6. Piedra Vista 20
7. Aztec 18
8. Los Lunas 8
9. Moriarty 5
10. Belen 4

Class A-AAA
1. Sandia Prep (4) 40
2. Hope Christian 33
3. St. Michael's 32
4. Bosque School 25
5. Portales 20
6. Socorro 19
7. Robertson 14
8. Santa Fe Prep 10
9. East Mountain 8
10. Rehoboth 7

ESPN: The World Wide Leader just might invade your town like this ...

ESPN certainly loves to hype sports, and its love - or should I say, its need - to expand its vast empire has reached the high school levels. What's also extended to the prep scene is the WWL's obsessive-compulsive disorder. The network tried to shove its square pegs into the round hole that is the Folsom-Grant rivalry in Northern California. Think the coaches enjoyed the experience?
Check it out right here.

Prep scores for Friday night

Here are scores for tonight's action, as provided by the Rival's New Mexico Preps site. Thanks to Kyle Henderson for all that he does. We wouldn't know a tenth of goings-on around the state without his passion and commitment. If you have a chance, visit his site. Even better if you sign up for it. It's a great way to keep in touch with the prep scene. Now that I am done shilling for a good man, one with the scores:

Artesia 63, Lovington 49
Aztec 42, Los Lunas 0
Blanding, Utah 19, Kirtland Central 7
Cibola 28, Highland 25
Cleveland 47, Bel Air 10
Clovis 40, Alamogordo 0
Eunice 50, Jal 6
Farmington 53, Gallup 13
Goddard 35, Rio Rancho 3
Hatch 35, Tucumcari 18
Hobbs 53, Gadsden 3
Las Cruces 23, EP El Dorado 20
La Cueva 42, Volcano Vista 0
Manzano 61, Rio Grade 13
Mayfield 51, Chapin 8
Moriarty 33, Bernalillo 8
Piedra Vista 28, Santa Fe 27
Raton 46, Clayton 20
Robertson 41, Portales 6
Santa Rosa 56, Estancia 22
Silver 32, Santa Teresa 22
Socorro 41, West Las Vegas 0
Tularosa 47, Hot Springs 19

And the complaints keep coming ...

Albuquerque Public Schools is fixing its soccer complex, adjusting the field width and length on the supposedly "small" fields that many APS coaches whined (and whined ... and whined ... and whined) about the small dimensions of the field (it was 100-by-57 and within the minimum standards for a field).
The fields are being redone to the size of 110-by-68 (which will make the ABQ teams much happier, since play will be more spread out and favorable to faster, quicker teams) but those coaches are now upset because two of the fields will not be ready for the Metro Championships, which start in early September. The two western fields are not done yet, and so coaches ... Well, just read the Journal story and see what they have to say.

Handicapping the city football teams.

OK, so maybe a little bit of Geoff Grammer, our dearly departed sports reporter (only to news, though. He lives, if you haven't been reading our paper), is rubbing off on me. But for some reason, I'm liking these two subjects:
Santa Fe High.
State playoffs.
Now that you've picked yourself off the ground and FINALLY stopped laughing, hear me out.
Yes, the Demons just completed an 0-10 season - but in Class AAAAA. The move to AAAA no doubt will help. In fact, I venture to say if Santa Fe High was in AAAAA, it would win three games and position itself as a contender in (likely) 2AAAAA.
But the powers that be at the New Mexico Activities Association saw fit to put the school in AAAA, and the football team will benefit.
How much so? I'm calling them the co-favorites with Bernalillo for the district title. I say this because head coach Ray Holladay is in his second year, and he has 70 kids out for the team. He has plenty of skill players returning, even with the departure of Bobby Chavez to Las Cruces Mayfield (allegedly).
Jason Fitzpatrick looks like an All-District quarterback. But one thing Holladay said after Monday's first practice is that he doesn't know if his junior can make the reads and the throws when it matters the most. Why? Well, last year, he was running for his life behind a pourous offensive line that was no match for the likes of Albuquerque La Cueva, Sandia and Valley.
It's hard to tell what kind of a quarterback you have when he's trying to simply survive.
But Fitzpatrick can move (as last year's test proved) and he's got a good arm - good enough to make almost any throw he needs to.
The other thing is that 2AAAA has no giants. No La Cuevas, no Sandias. Heck, maybe not even an Albuquerque High.
Add to that the departure of coaches at Los Alamos (Hello, Garrett Williams), Capital (welcome to New Mexico, Josh Wallace) and Española Valley (Does Joe Jiron really look good in red and gold as opposed to Capital's turquoise and black?), the Demons are in a ripe position to reverse two trends:
No playoff appearances since 1986.
A second winning record in the same span.
They have experience, they have depth (something sorely lacking from last year's team), and they have an offense that could be potent.
As far Capital, measuring this team will be better in October than in August or September. Wallace has a lot of work to do to get the program where he needs it, but he can and probably will if he's given time. The numbers for the first day of practice are not much lower than when Steve Castille was there. The question is will those players stay as they struggle through the first half of the season (and make no doubts, they will struggle because they are learning a new offensive and defensive game plan on the fly)?
If Wallace keeps his nose to the grindstone, he will. Another piece of advice (which I am sure he already knows): If the upperclassmen show any kind of resistance, go young. Holladay had to do it last year at Santa Fe High. Castille had to do it his first year at Capital.
It might mean those sophomores and freshmen will take their lumps, but what they will do is listen and work hard. Upperclassmen - and especially seniors - seem to shirk at the idea of slugging their way through a season, especially as the losses mount. However, this group is accustomed to success and might try to fight it out to the end. Besides, talent-wise, there is no real difference between Capital and Santa Fe High.
The measuring stick is in where the Jaguars are under Wallace in Year 1 as opposed to the Demons under Holladay in Year 2. Patience is the word.
St. Michael's will be ... Well, St. Michael's. Russell Disch is a potent 1,000-yard rusher with George Dominguez as a capable - and speedy - No. 2 guy. Michael Lamb, who is getting looks at some Division I schools, is a beast of a linebacker and faster than he looks. The key is in the hands of Michael Weigel and the receivers. Fernandez likes his receivers and he feels that Weigel  can inject some oomph into a passing game that has been sorely lacking for the last two years. If they can make opponents pay for stacking up the line of scrimmage, the Horsemen will go far.
Like state championship game far.
They're that good.

Another of prep basketball greats calls it a career

When the discussion of the great prep boys basketball coaches comes up, the names are quite distinguished.
You immediately mention Hobb's Ralph Tasker, and Jim Hulsman from Albuquerque High. Then there's Marv Sanders, who made his name while coaching at Farmington, and Pete Shock, who is still going after 34 year years at Cliff and maintain the Shock legacy that has gone on since 1932.
And there's Albuquerque Academy's Mike Brown.
But here's the thing about great coaches: Their legends live forever, but they do not.
Brown, who has spent the last 26 years guiding the Chargers program, called it a career Wednesday, and what a career it was. He led Academy to six straight Class AAA titles and played in nine straight title games. While he never won another title after 1994, he still got the Chargers there from 1995-97, then in 2001 and 2008.
But above all that, Brown was one of the most gracious coaches I have ever come across. I've had opportunities to talk to him several times during the season, and he's always been amiable, funny and open with his time.
You hate to see guys like him leave, because he's a shining example as to why coaches are involved in high school athletics - to help mold and shape kids. I have yet to hear a bad word uttered by any one about Brown. His teams were always lauded by opposing coaches for their effort, talent and intelligence, and a lot of that is a reflection of Brown.
Those same qualities are exhibited by the coaching tree he leaves behind - his sons Danny and Greg Brown, Valley head coach Joe Coleman and Manzano head coach Travis Julian. Those schools have top-notch programs that are run the right way.
If anything, that might be the most important legacy Brown leaves on the state - how to win and lose with class.
That alone ranks him high among the coaching greats in this state

Answers to the questions that many people want to know ...

OK, so I lied. I don't have answers, but I can give odds as to who I think will become the head coaches at Capital (for football) and at Santa Fe High (Or in Lenny Roybal's case with the boys basketball position, will remain). The positions ought to be filled within the next seven-10 days, and then both coaches will have to hit the ground running because the summer is coming very quickly. And the summer is when programs are made. So, here's my handicap. Please, no bets of over $50, the house might not be able to cover it.

Capital football
1. Bill Moon (4-1 odds). You look at Moon's resume and it screams "proven." But you look at his record, especially since he left Capital in 1996, and it indicates a coach who can get a program to the creek. It just doesn't get that sip of water. Perhaps because it rider (Moon) was picked off before he could get that next step. He set the Rio Rancho program up for success, and it made a playoff appearance before falling apart after he left in 1999. Santa Fe High got to 5-5 in 2002, but politics and a 3-7 season in '03 paved his departure route. At Española Valley, Moon's teams went 2-8, but again administrative squabbles ended his tenure.
But that in itself is also a troubling trend, which is why the odds are higher.
2. Quevin Redding (7-1). Redding's youth and enthusiasm make him a strong candidate. His spread offense could attract more talent because of the wide-open brand of football, compared the Moon's tried-and-true I-formation philosophy. He brought Pojoaque its first winning varsity record last year as well as the school's second playoff appearance. He also has experience with programs at schools that has a higher ratio of students from lower-income backgrounds, having coached at Española Valley. The question then, will be can he get a strong enough staff around him.
3. (tie) Mike Dalton and Johnny Carson (15-1). Both are assistant coaches (Dalton with Albuquerque Valley, Carson at Ruidoso) looking to get a valued head coaching job. Dalton has experience at Capital, having coached under Steve Castille in 2004, so he does know the program. It will take a knockout interview for them to move ahead of the other two.
5. Joshua Wallace. If a coach ever gets a job from a phone interview, especially at Capital, he's got to be the second coming of John Calipari or he has no idea what he's getting into. And if he does, why apply?

Santa Fe High boys basketball
1. Porter Cutrell (2-1). He was a very successful coach at Denver prep school Mullen High, compiling a 234-107 record with two Class AAAAA state titles and four championship appearances. Cutrell also has coached athletes to the Division I level, so he has the pedigree. His resume is impressive enough to make him the leader out of the group of nine interviewees. However, coaching at a public school - and at Santa Fe High - is a different ball of wax. No doubt the Demons will be successful under Cutrell, but how long would he stay?
2. David Rodriguez (3-1). He was good enough for Hobbs (albeit that was 11 year ago), but not good enough for Santa Fe High (three years later). But Rodriguez, who coached the Demons from 1992-2002, still commands respect as a candidate. That he will face the likes of Capital, Espanola and Los Alamos instead of La Cueva, Sandia and Valley plays into his hands. The Rodriguez coaching family tree is steep (dad Bob coached the Demons and St. Michael's; brother Ernie is the SFIS head man) and Rodriguez has a reputation that is above reproach. If the committee wants to play it safe, he would be the perfect choice.
3. Rick Apodaca (6-1). I'll say this right off the bat: I'm an Apodaca fan. He was done wrong at Taos, but he had the program moving the right direction. Two seasons under St. Michael's head coach Ron Geyer's tutelage makes him that much better. He already knew Geyer's system, having been under another Geyer protege in Mark Gallegos at Portales, but he is a head coach in waiting. He's communicative, affable and very much a coach players will rally under. Any program - be it Santa Fe High or otherwise - would be better to have him handling it.
4. James Branch/Lenny Roybal (10-1). Sorry, Lenny, I like your chances as County Commissioner better. Roybal says he has the program ready to win a AAAA title right now, but he also said he felt the Demons would play for a state title in the next three years. That was in 2007. The 2009-10 season was a huge disappointment, and I attribute much of that to the falling out between Roybal and former top assistant Gordon Betancourt. Branch is hedging his bets that he won't keep his job at Taos (he is being investigated by the school district over his handling of players), but I've always felt his heart was set on Taos. And I believe he'll stay there.
5. Danny Trujillo/Tom Montoya/John Carpenter (50-1). Trujillo and Montoya are assistant coaches (Trujillo at Taos; Montoya at Santa Fe High) with different backgrounds. Trujillo is looking for his first head coaching opportunity; Montoya is still trying to get back into the game after resigning at St. Michael's in 2002. Both are good coaches, but given the caliber of candidates here, they, too, will have to knock the committee out to get to the top of this list. Nothing is known on Carpenter, so he remains a mystery.

Nightcap: No. 1 NMHU vs. No. 6 St. Cloud State

Top of second inning
Oscar Sigala, who had a grand slam in the win over Mesa State, adds a solo poke over the right-field wall for 1-0.

Bottom third
The Huskies manufacture a two-our run when Nate Hammes' chopper bounced of Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky couldn't glove. Jordan Smith had an RBI single, then Nate Hammes' grounder up the middle went off Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky's glove to let Joey Benke score for 2-1.

Bottom fourth
St. Cloud State continues to get to Wischmann. Steve Rindelaub's single scores Tyler Horning.
Phil Imolte's sacrifice scored another run. Wischmann needs one out to minimize the damage, but no.
Travis Cariveau singles in a run. Joey Benke hits a two-run homer for 7-1 before Wischmann gets out of the inning.

Top fifth.
The inning starts off well with a Gutchewsky single and Phillip Rodriguez is hit by a pitch, as is Thomas DeAngelis to load the bases. But as the Cowboys' luck is with the Huskies, Christian Garcia lines to short and Rodriguez is doubled off. Then St. Cloud State starter Shawn Riesgraf unravels. He hits David Bustillos and then bounces three of four intentional walk pitches to Jason Carr for a run. Then Danny Brown walks on four pitches to push across another run. New pitcher Ryan Schwenke hits Brad Morgan for another run. 7-4. Sigala strikes out to end the inning.

Bottom of sixth
Again, Wischmann can't get the job done and Tyler Shaddy, the closer, is called in with the score 8-4. Benke doubles to put runners on second and third, then Jordan Smith hammers a triple to right center for 10-4. Horning's sacrifice bunt scores smith for 11-4, then all hell breaks loose.
On Rindlaub's groundout to second, he collides with Cowboys first baseman Jason Carr. Words are exchanged and the umpires step in to prevent any escalation.
After a brief conference, Carr is ejected, and Highlands head coach Steve Jones is livid. Eventually he is thrown out as well, and he tries to rally his troops.

Top eighth
It takes a while for the spark to set, but it starts with a Garcia single, then Bustillos is hit by a Jamie Kissell pitch. Brown sends one to the deepest part of center field but it is off the wall. Two runs score and he then scores on Morgan's infield hit for 11-8.

Final
St. Cloud State 12, New Mexico Highlands 8
The Cowboys got nothing going in the ninth, and the Huskies advance to championship Sunday to face Minnesota State.
New Mexico Highlands ends the season at 41-13.

Figured since I am at the NCAA Division II Central Region Baseball Tournament ...

I could give those few interested fans an update, which I will do periodically today.
We are in the top of the fourth inning and New Mexico Highlands finds itself up on Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rival Mesa State 5-0. Third baseman Oscar Sigala, who was 1-for-8 in the first two games of the regional, blasted a grand slam in the first inning to account for the bulk of the runs.
Right-handed pitcher Danny Brown has pitched well so far, allowing just three hits. He also is getting support from his defense, which has turned three double plays so far in the game.
Brown just gave up his fourth hit, an RBI single Chase Moore, as the Mavericks cut the margin to 5-1 but he averts further trouble.

Bottom of fourth
Highlands responds with a run on Thomas DeAngelis' double into the right-field corner, scoring Scott Heath from second for 6-1.

Top of sixth
The Cowboys score twice in the fifth, thanks to Kyle Gutchewsky's two-run single, but Brown can't make it through the sixth because of injury. Derek Grieve relieves him with one out in the sixth and the Mavs putting runners at first and third.
Exit Brown, enter the Mavs offense.
Grieves third pitch to JOhn Schmidtbauer is deposited over the center field wall for a three-run home run for 8-5. Peter Arakawa then bunts and Grieve throws the ball into right field to put him on second.

Top of seventh
NMHU comes right back, powered by Jason Carr's towering three-run home run that took forever to clear the center field fence. That puts the Cowboys in good position again, leading 11-5.

Bottom of eighth
Mesa State isn't quite dead yet. The Mavs score three in the eighth off of Grieve, with Brett Bigbur finally getting his first hit of the day - a two-run double to make it 11-8.

NMHU 11, Mesa State 8
The Cowboys keep their season alive, as closer Tyler Shaddy shuts the door on the Mavs with a 1-2-3 ninth. Now comes the rematch with St. Cloud State, which disposed of Highlands 11-2 on Thursday.
Game time is about 35 minutes away ...

When you're 22 years old ...

Make sure you do a better job of faking that you're 16. This means you, Guerdwich Montimere. The 22 year old, who played basketball at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., tried for a second prep career in Odessa, Texas, as "Jerry Joseph."
He got to his sophomore year at Odessa Permian before the gig was up. On Tuesday, Joseph/Montimere admitted his rouge and was arrested. He can thank his appearance at an AAU basketball camp with the Albuquerque-based New Mexico Force team for blowing his cover. That's where his former AAU coach spotted him.
You can read the rest here from the Odessa American, which broke the story last week.

Just act like the last month and a half never happened (Oh, and Sepulveda results!)

Would it be so wrong to just move on? Well, I am, so there!
So, since the Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions on Monday, I figured I'd give a rundown on the area athletes at the event.
Without further ado ... :

Boys
Reece Goodman, Capital -200 meters, 3rd, 21.99 seconds; 400, 1st, 48.98; high jump, 7th, 5 feet, 10 inches.
Kyle Pittman, Los Alamos - 1,600, 1st, 4:25.05.
Tim Wermer, Los Alamos - 3,200, 9th, 10:41.51.
Morgan Redmond, Santa Fe High - 300 hurdles, 3rd, 41.27.
Oliver Funsten, Los Alamos - discus, 8th, 130-2.
Girls
Chase Ealey, Los Alamos - 100, 5th, 12.27; shot put, 1st, 45-2 1/2.
Kate Norskog, St. Michael's - 1,600, 5th, 5:31.79.
Holly Walker, Los Alamos - 3,200, 1st, 11:54.59.
Emily Pittman, Los Alamos - 3,200, 10th, 12:40.64.
Victoria Honnell, Los Alamos - 3,200, 14th, 12:50.63.
Laura Wendelberger, Los Alamos - high jump, 2nd, 5-0.
Lindsey Benage, Los Alamos - high jump, 7th,. 4-10.
Emily Weeks, Los Alamos - long jump, 4th, 17-4 1/4.
Yeshemabet Turner, Pecos - triple jump, 3rd, 37-9.
Linda Esquibel, West Las Vegas - triple jump, 6th, 35-9 1/2.
Alexandra Nichols, Los Alamos - javelin, 1st, 132-7.

Class AAA projections (final)

Juts a quick run-down and (maybe) a brief explanation when warranted.

1. Hope Christian (26-1).
2. Lovington (22-4)
3. Sandia Prep (17-9).
4. SFIS (20-7). Loss to St. Michael's dropped the Braves to No. 4 (although I had them there the whole time).
5. St. Michael's (17-10). Can thank Bloomfield for winning the 1AAA crown for this jump up.
6. Tohatchi (20-5). Missed out on a top five seed.
7. Pojoaque (19-10). Who did the Elks beat? SFIS, Socorro and Las Vegas Robertson three times.
8. Bloomfield (23-6). Who did the Bobcats beat? Tohatchi on Saturday. That's it.
9. Socorro (13-13). Sorry Warriors, that sad nondistrict record and schedule doesn't help. Besides, you still get a home game.
10. Wingate (18-10). Losing two of three times to Bloomfield knocked the Bears down a peg.
11. Robertson (18-9). The Cardinals benefit from Portales' run in the 4AAA tournament.
12. Portales (14-12). The Rams' went 6-3 to finish the regular season before losing to Lovingon in the 4AAA championship. Sorry to be ...
13. NMMI (18-10). Losing two of three to Portales didn't help.
14. Newcomb (14-12).
15. Thoreau (12-15).
16. Ruidoso (9-17). Beat Hot Springs. Went 3-1 against 3AAA. Enough said.

Class AAA projections (final)

Class AAAA update

Well, as Selection Sunday is upon us, I would be remiss if I did not get my final projections in for the Class AAAA Tournament.
1. Roswell (22-2). Finished the year with a 13-0 record against AAAA schools, and blew out Artesia by 49 after only beating them by nine last week. The clear No. 1
2. Espanola Valley (24-2). After a sluggish couple of weeks, the Sundevils dominated Los Alamos to win the District 2AAAA Tournament title. They were 9-0 in AAAA, but all nine were against the district. That hurt, even though Espanola played perhaps the toughest schedule in the state.
3. Albuquerque Academy (20-7). The Chargers were 12-0 against AAAA competition and laid waste to Valencia last night (80-42). The sleeper awaits.
4. Santa Teresa (20-7). Yes, the Desert Warriors did not play - or beat - any Top 10 teams (according to the coaches poll) in AAAA. In fact, it also played only its district opponents in the class. But a 7-0 mark will do wonders, considering the week that was for ...
5. Volcano Vista (15-12). Back to back losses (to Grants and then St. Pius for the 6AAAA championship) ruined any chance of the Hawks of getting a top four seed. That, despite wins over Los Alamos, the Sartans and Valencia.
6. Los Alamos (18-9). Los Alamos could have made some noise for a five seed with a win over Espanola, but the Hilltoppers will still get a home game. Wins over Kirtland Central, Grants, Valencia and St. Pius (twice) ensured that.
7. Shiprock (20-8). The District 1AAAA champion lost the tournament final to Kirtland Central, and that opened the door for Los Alamos to take No. 6.
8. Kirtland Central (17-11). It came to who deserved the home game between the Broncos and the Sartans. The Broncos, the 1AAAA tourney champs, beat the Sartans, the 6AAAA tourney champs, in January. There's your deciding factor.
9. St. Pius (13-15). The Sartans finished and incredible 8-3 finish with a win over the Hawks. They once again are the team the rest of the state could fear the most.
10. Grants (17-8). The Pirates' win over Volcano Vista solidified a No. 10 spot even though they were 7-7 down the stretch.
11. Piedra Vista (16-11). The loss to Farmington in the 1AAAA quarterfinals pushed the Panthers to an 11 spot. Amazing that 10 days ago they were looking at a home game and a top 6 seed.
12. Capital (13-12). The Jaguars wanted Santa Teresa or Shiprock for an opponent, but instead they get the Hawks. But might be a blessing in disguise with the way Volcano Vista is playing.
13. Belen (15-11). The freefall stops here because of wins over Peidra Vista, Artesia and Valencia.
14. Artesia (13-14). The Bulldogs weren't spectacular this season, nor were they terrible. Second place gets them here.
15. Valencia (11-17). The big win for the Jaguars actually came against a team its battling for a spot in the tournament - Aztec. That one win was enough to get them into the tournament, along with a runner-up finish in 5AAAA.
16. Chaparral (11-17). It came down to AAAA wins, and Chaparral owned the slimmest of margins (4-3). And since Aztex didn't beat a AAAA team with more than six wins (Farmington, which needed two wins in the 1AAAA tournament to get there), the Lobos get their first bid.

AAAAA boys, one more time.

Well, as the final day of the district season comes to an end, it's high time to give everyone my projections for tomorrow's seedings.

Class AAAAA
1. Las Cruces Mayfield (22-4). The reason? Mayfield's only losses to state teams were to a then-undefeated Hobbs and AAAA Espanola Valley. Otherwise, the Trojans were 14-1 against AAAAA schools with a win over Highland. A 15-game winning streak cinches it in my mind.
2. Eldorado (23-4). The Eagles' sterling mark took a hit with the loss to Rio Grande last week. Which means it needs a little help to get back to where it was. A 15-2 mark against AAAAA competition still looks good, just not as good as it did a week ago. Beat the Monarchs is priority No. 1.
3. La Cueva (23-5). This is where the advantages of the NMAA's tie-breaker system help. The Bears tied for first in 2AAAAA with Valley, but Valley won the one-game playoff. So Valley's ahead of La Cueva, right? Not so fast, my friends! Because of a provision that allows the seeding committees to seed teams as they see fit when a regular-season tie is involved, the Bears jump ahead of Valley (in my mind). La Cueva has a win over Manzano and another over Valley in the regular season. A second win over the Vikings tonight solidifies No. 3 for the defending AAAAA champions. If not, they drop a spot or maybe two.
4. Manzano (21-7). The Monarchs lost two in a row to Eldorado, which knocks them down a spot. Still, a 16-4 mark vs. AAAAA competition with wins over La Cueva, Eldorado, Highland and Valley make for a strong resume for a top-four seed.
5. Valley (18-9). The Vikings were only 5-6 against non 2AAAAA schools in the class, but one was a win over 1AAAAA champion Gallup. That's enough to get the Vikings ahead of the Bengals.
6. Gallup (17-10). An 8-6 mark against AAAAA teams leaves a lot to be desired from the 1AAAAA champion. There's still a chance for the Bengals to fall a notch if Rio Rancho surprises them tonight.
7. Clovis (13-10). The Wildcats are 7-2 against AAAAA schools, but their biggest win is against a Rams team that is making a run just to get into the tournament. Still, they are the 4AAAAA champions, and that counts for something.
8. Hobbs (20-7). Oh what one loss can do. If the Carlsbad Cavemen don't upset the Eagles, chances are Hobbs is a Top-5 seed. Instead, that loss blemishes a 5-0 mark against AAAAA schools with a win over No. 1 Mayfield, which is its only AAAAA loss.
9. Highland (20-8). The Hornets bounced back from a three-game losing streak nicely with .... a three-game winning streak. A 15-5 AAAAA mark is very good, but Hobbs was just a tad better.
10. Gadsden (17-10). The Panthers never could get on track in 3AAAAA, alternating wins and losses. This is about as good as it gets.
11. Rio Grande (15-13). The win over Eldorado was great, but the Ravens closed with a 4-6 mark overall, including 3-5 in 5AAAAA. The win over Valley helps them get this spot over ...
12. Cibola (13-15). Oh, if only it was the Cougars playing Gallup in the 1AAAAA title game instead of Rio Rancho. If they want to look at the plus side, Cibols did help a district team solidify its spot in the tournament. Otherwise, thanks, missed opportunity.
13. Rio Rancho (14-14). The Rams spell salvation "4-2." That's their record over over the last 16 days to move themselves off the bubble of the state tournament. Now about that bubble ...
14. Carlsbad (12-14). Committee: "Thanks for giving us this interview, Cavemen, but let's stop with the pleasantries and tell us why you deserve to play in our tournament next week?"
Carlsbad: "We beat Hobbs."
Committee: "Uh-huh, we see that. But what else?"
Carlsbad: "We also beat Las Cruces."
Committee: "OK, good enough. Now please enjoy your butt-kicking at La Cueva."
Carlsbad: "Can't be any worse than what they did last week (80-56 on Feb. 20)."
15. Albuquerque High (12-16). Committee: "OK, Bulldogs. It says here you went 6-11 against AAAAA schools. Why should we choose you over, say, 10-17 Las Cruces?"
AHS: "We beat Gallup. We dominated Santa Fe High four times."
Committee: "Beat Gallup, eh? Hmmmm ..."
AHS: "That's a lovely tie. And did you know we REALLY respect officials (See Ron Garcia's comments after beating Santa Fe High on Feb. 5)?"
Committee: "Flattery gets you everywhere this time of year. Welcome to the tournament!"
16. Santa Fe High (13-15). Committee: "Ok, Las Cruces, Oñate and Santa Fe, it's down to you three for the last spot. Tell me what you did to deserve to get in."
Las Cruces: "Well, we beat Los Lunas, Cleveland, Alamgordo and Oñate."
Oñate: "We beat Las Cruces, too. And Cleveland. And Rio Rancho."
Santa Fe: "We beat Gallup. Plus we played Eldorado, Manzano, La Cueva and Valley." (Demons' mind: Don't say anything about how badly they beat you!)
Committee: "Interesting, Demons. How do you feel about officials?"
Santa Fe: (Gulps) "Integrity is their middle name." (Damn, did Albuquerque High talk to these guys?)
Committee: "Well, that's not what we heard, but you're in anyways. We will keep our eyes on you ..."

And now, for the girls ... (AAAA projections)

I'll skip the AAAAA portion of the bracket because ... Well, the only way Santa Fe High gets to the state tournament is if: 1) the girls discover the game of basketball; and 2) they buy tickets. For anyone who wants to complain, remember this: the Demonettes have won one time in the last 40 games. And no one complained about the lack of coverage of that team this year. Not to mention, we're still waiting for that first call-in from head coach Elmer Chavez. Good luck in AAAA, girls. Suggestion: Get a home-and-home series with Roswell Goddard (0-27).

AAAA
1. Kirtland Central (21-2). Thanks to two District 1AAAA wins over Shiprock, the second-ranked team in AAAA by the NMHSCA poll. The Lady Broncos' two losses came against an Arizona school and AAA Thoreau. Add to that wins over Belen and Los Alamos, and Kirtland Central is 10-0 against AAAA competition. Enough said.
2. Shiprock (20-6). Aside from the losses to the No. 1 seed, the Lady Chieftains have beaten 2AAAA champion Española Valley, Belen and Grants. That's why the Lady Sundevils are ...
3. Española (23-4). The pride of District 2AAAA went 6-1 against AAAA schools outside of the district and is 14-2 overall. The loss to Los Alamos doesn't hurt when considering the Lady Sundevils lost to Shiprock and beat Grants, Moriarty, Piedra Vista and Aztec. A 2-1 mark over the Lady Hilltoppers helps greatly as well.
4. Roswell (16-9). The Lady Coyotes are a perfect 8-0 against AAAA competition, with wins over Los Alamos, Del Norte (the 5AAAA champ), Deming (3AAAA) and Silver. Roswell was one of those rare southern schools that ventured outside of the south to bolster its resume. This is its reward.
5. Los Alamos (19-9). The Lady Hilltoppers played the most AAAA schools of any school, and went 15-5 overall. Among the résumé-boosting victories include Volcano Vista (the 6AAAA champion), Del Norte, and St. Pius X (the 6AAAA runner-up). The win over Española gives Los Alamos bragging rights of going 3-1 against AAAA district champions. Impressive, indeed.
6. Volcano Vista (15-10). Of the Lady Hawks' 10 losses, eight have come against AAAAA teams. They are 10-2 overall in the class, with two wins over the Lady Knights, another over Valencia and a 6AAAA split with St. Pius. That 2-8 start is a thing of the past.
7. Deming (16-9). The Lady Wildcats looked bad when I saw them at the Lady Jaguar Invitational in December, and a 7-8 start didn't look much better. However, Deming is 9-1 since then and the 3AAAA champion. Still, the Lady Wildcats lack a "Look at us" win (only against 5AAAA runner-up Valencia, compared to losses to Roswell and Artesia). Look where they end up.
8. Del Norte (14-12). The Lady Knights went 9-6 against AAAA competition, but their signature win was over the Lady Sartans. They couldn't beat Roswell, Los Alamos and Volcano Vista (twice). The district champion will get the home game regardless of seed, but they belong here.
9. Artesia (14-10). At first glance, a 9-3 record in class looks good. And there's a win over Del Norte. But the Lady Bulldogs beat a 3-23 Bernalillo team, Albuquerque Academy (7-20) and Belen (7-17). Two close losses to Roswell do help, though.
10. St. Pius X (14-10). The defending state champion slumped along at 6-8 until a six-game wining streak boosted its image. Included in that string were wins over Valencia and Los Alamos. It resurrected the champs to a higher seed.
11. Piedra Vista (16-11). The Lady Panthers are the leaders of the pedestrian group that follows. While it has a winning record, Piedra Vista's biggest win is over a 7-16 Grants team. That doesn't say much.
12. Silver (14-10). Winning record, no stand-out wins. In fact, it even lost to ...
13. Capital (11-13). The Lady Jaguars are 8-8 against district competition, but they lost twice in a row to Taos. That hurt their standing. And with the Lady Hilltoppers at No. 5, Capital had to go somewhere. Down.
14. Valencia (13-14). Here's another Lady Jaguars team that gets in, but mostly based on finishing tied for second in a bad district. Nothing gaudy, just a 6-8 AAAA record.
15. Chaparral (14-12). Yes, the Lady Lobos have a winning record, but until district season started, they played NO AAAA teams. A big no-no if you want o reap the rewards of a winning record.
16. Taos (10-18). It came down to another 3AAAA team, Santa Teresa, and the Lady Tigers. Taos' 3-1 push at the end of the season got it past the Lady Desert Warrriors, who own an out-of-district win over the winless Lady Rockets (see above). The Lady Tigers do, as well, but those Capital wins give them the upper hand.
Congrats, Coach Robert Trujillo.

Los Alamos-Espanola Valley running thread

First quarter
Sloppy play as both teams combine for 11 turnovers. Nisa Duran scored on a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to help Espanola take an 11-6 lead.
Second quarter
The Lady Sundevils are hot. The Vigil duo of Melanie and Justine score the first seven points of the quarter.
It's 18-6, EV. 6:54 to go.
Espanola increases its lead to 20-8 before Los Alamos cuts the deficit to 21-12 as Shelby Courtright hits a pair of jumpers.
21-12, under 3 minutes.
Espanola turns it around in the final two minutes with a Justine Vigil 3 and a Desiree Howie jumper. Howie has returned after missing the last two weeks of the regular season with a shoulder separation.
The teams head into the locker room with the Lady Sundevils holding a 26-15 lead.

Class AAAA bracket update

While might seem to be all around Class AAAA, in reality, only a few changes seem necessary. Here's the rundown.

1. Roswell (22-2). The Coyotes WILL be the NO. 1 team in the class. No ifs, ands or buts about it. As I pointed out before, Roswell has not lost to a New Mexico school. The defending AAAA state champion won't have to worry about that coming until March 10, then all bets are off.
2. Espanola Valley (24-2). The Sundevils weren't really hurt by the loss to Hope Christian. All it did was solidify the two-seed. Now the problem is that Espanola now is paired with Albuquerque Academy on that side of the bracket. And that is something to be worried about.
3. Albuquerque Academy (18-7). The Chargers are12-2 after a 6-5 start, but it must be pointed out that they also have yet to lose to a AAAA team. They also have two wins over District 6AAAA champion Volcano Vista, three over 6AAAA runner-up Albuquerque St. Pius X and Belen, making Academy the unofficial 6AAAA champion (Sorry Grants, you really think you have a shot?)
4. Santa Teresa (19-7). Welcome to the fourth team not to lose in AAAA. The difference, though is that the Desert Warriors' losses aren't as sterling, especially that one to Portales. But Santa Teresa is 9-1 over its last 10 games and could be a spoiler come March.
5. Volcano Vista (15-11). The Hawks looked like they were in line for a four seed, but then came a loss to Grants (OK, so maybe Academy should worry). Still, the district champions won't fall far because of an 11-3 record against AAAA competition.
6. Shiprock (19-7). The Chieftains can solidify this spot with a playoff win over Kirtland Central, but with the committee free to determine where they belong, a loss might not matter. Shiprock is 9-3 within the class and is 2-1 against co-leader Kirtland Central.
7. Los Alamos (17-8). The Hilltoppers saved a tumble in the seedings with a come-from-behind win over Capital, which means the co-2AAAA runners-up get placed where they deserve. Los Alamos benefits from wins over Kirtland Central, Grants, St. Pius and Capital, while the loss to Del Norte is lessened.
8. Kirtland Central (15-10). The debate here is reputation vs. resume, and resume wins out. While St. Pius might be the 6AAAA runner up, its loss to the Broncos gives the edge to the Four Corners team. Wins over the Sartans and Grants help their cause.
9. St. Pius X (11-15). The Sartans are on a 7-3 closing run after a 4-11 slump to start the year. This is about as high as they can go, even if they beat Volcano Vista in the district tournament. But this has been a nice save regardless.
10. Piedra Vista (16-10). If it hadn't been for a two-game losing streak to close out the 1AAAA season, the Panthers might have made an argument for a fifth seed. Instead, they drop below the Sartans, thanks to that sticky first-round rule. But Piedra Vista is 5-1 outside of district play and the Hilltoppers should pay attention to Brian Shock's team very closely. Remember 2006?
11. Grants (16-7). Yes, the Pirates have a better record than Piedra Vista, but Grants is 9-6 against AAAA competition and are only 6-6 since a 10-1 start. How you finish is as much an indicator of a team's seed as anything else.
12. Capital (12-11). The Jaguars missed out on jumping possibly to an eight seed with a win over the Hilltoppers Saturday, but a 4-1 finish was quite a run. Can they slide up a spot or two? Maybe. An 8-4 AAAA mark is better than Grants' effort and a couple of wins will get Capital to a 2AAAA title game against Espanola. Too bad it took six weeks for Capital to wake up.
13. Belen (15-10). Go ahead, make an argument for Belen being ahead of Capital. Yes, the Eagles were 8-3 against non-district AAAA schools, but they were 1-5 and in last place in the district. That has to count for something. It does in my book. Oh, and Belen sucks! (Los Lunas grad here).
14. Artesia (12-13). The Bulldogs benefit from a 5-3 AAAA pre-district mark, while Roswell Goddard went 2-2. Never mind that the schools split. Enough said.
15. Valencia (10-16). The 5AAAA runner-up gets in because it owns a win over its main competitor, Aztec. However, that 1-10 mark against non-district AAAA looks ugly. Very ugly.
16. Chaparral (10-16). The Lobos are 3-3 against AAAA competition - too bad its all against 3AAAA teams. What saves them is that Aztec was 2-4 and beat a four-win Bernalillo and five-win Farmington (in tournament play) in the process. A district runner-up should trump a fourth-place team. Unless that runner-up is really bad.

Class AAA projection (AKA my best guess)

The easy part is Hope Christian. The rest? Well ... AAA is quite competitive (at least the records are fooling me right now). What I thought were slam dunks, might not be.
Without further ado ....

1. Hope Christian (25-1). The top seed in District 5AAA, the Huskies have shown throughout the season they are the best team in the state. That said, beware of the Sandia Prep Sun Devils, who always seem to give Hope a scare - or three.
2. Lovington (21-4). Take a wild guess who also hasn't lost to a AAA school? Surprise! Granted one of those losses is to AA school Texico (but a VERY good Texico team), but Lovington is 8-0 against AAA competition. Now all eight of those teams are in District 4AAA, but the Wildcats are the top seed in that tournament, and an undefeated class record IS an undefeated class record.
3. Sandia Prep (17-8). Hard to penalize a team for being in Hope's district. The Sun Devils played the Huskies the closest, and they also have played some AAA competition, with wins over Zuni, Ruidoso and - this is very important - the trio of Santa Fe Indian School, Pojoaque and Socorro. Two of them (Socorro and SFIS) are regular season district champs.
4. Santa Fe Indian School (20-6). The District 2AAA champion has never been seeded this low - usually because St. Michael's, the five-time champ prior to this season - had the resume for the top three. SFIS owns a 15-4 record over AAA competition, and the losses are good ones - to the Sun Devils, the Huskies twice and Pojoaque in a tournament - but the resume doesn't quite stack up to the other three.
5. Tohatchi (20-4). The District 1AAA champion is 14-1 against AAA competition, so why not put the Cougars ahead of the Braves? Well .... Put Tohatchi in 2AAA and SFIS in 1AAA, and what would happen? The Braves would still be district champions. You couldn't say the same about Tohatchi. Plus, out-of-district wins over Hatch Valley and Laguna-Acoma (and a tournament win over Wingate) don't quite stack up with SFIS.
6. St. Michael's (16-10). District 2AAA might argue that it is the toughest district in AAA, but what the district teams lack are quality wins. The Horsemen own wins over Socorro and Wingate (the third place team in 1AAA) and that's just attractive enough to get them this high. Finishing second and beating Pojoaque twice this year is also a feather in the St. Michael's cap.
7. Pojoaque (17-9). The Elks, third in 2AAA, gets rated ahead of 3AAA champion Socorro because of their 62-50 win in December. They also have an out-of-district win over SFIS. The loss to Sandia Prep is bad, but Pojoaque's only other AAA losses are to SFIS and St. Michael's twice each.
8. Socorro (12-13). Yes, the Warriors might be district champions, but they were 6-13 in the nondistrict season. Give credit for Socorro playing tough AAA teams, but it was 4-4 outside 3AAA. The losses were to Pojoaque, St. Michael's, Wingate and Sandia Prep. the signature win was NMMI, which was second in 4AAA.
9. Wingate (17-9). Now we start getting into the beauty pageant part of the "best of the rest." The Bears enjoy wins over Socorro, Thoreau (twice) and Ruidoso. They also lost three times to Tohatchi (once in a tournament) and St. Michael's. They look pretty enough to me.
10. Bloomfield (20-6). The Bobcats might have tied Wingate for second in 1AAA, but the Bears have better AAA wins. And the fact that Bloomfield beat a AAAAA junior varsity and Navajo Prep twice isn't quite as attractive.
11. NMMI (17-9). The Colts, who tied for second in 4AAA, have a good-looking record. Upon further inspections, beating a host of A and AA schools is bad. But the strength of 2AAA and the weakness of Portales gives NMMI a better seed than maybe it deserves.
12. Las Vegas Robertson (17-8). What can one win do? Well, a win over St. Michael's means the Cardinals don't get penalized for a weak nondistrict schedule (sweeps over Tucumcari and Ruidoso, a win over A school Springer). But they did lose to Socorro. So it does balance out.
13. Newcomb (13-11). The good for the Skyhawks is that they are 10-7 against AAA competition, and they were competitive in sweeps at the hand of Wingate and Tohatchi. That win over Bloomfield can't help but ... help?
14. Portales (12-12). The Rams are 8-5 after a 4-7 start, and they have good losses during the last 13 games (to Socorro, SFIS, and Lovington twice). Portales routinely has a tough schedule, but it simply lacks a quality AAA win this season.
15. Thoreau (11-14). Oh, this was a hard decision. This spot came down to a battle of the Hawks with fellow 5AAA member Laguna-Acoma. Laguna-Acoma had a better out-of-district record (5-4 vs. 4-5), but Thoreau has a nondistrict win over it. And that 71-70 win is the sliver that gets Thoreau in into the state tournament because ...
16. Ruidoso (8-16). Laguna-Acoma was automatically out because Hope Christian is No. 1. Hot Springs is 10-14, but it did not beat a AAA school (in fact all but a Silver win were against AA schools and below) until district play. Ruidoso, meanwhile, was 4-7 against AAA competition, plus it went 3-1 against 3AAA competition with wins over the Tigers and Hatch Valley. Of course, this spot truly belongs to Laguna-Acoma, but .... Sorry, Hawks.