AAA projections update

I'll make it short and sweet.

1. Hope Christian (17-3). Take note of the 57-54 win over Sandia Prep. Yes, the Huskies are a very good team. Maybe even the best in AAA. But this team is not the juggernaut of the last two years, and this team can be beat if it has an off day. Guess what team can do that?
2. St. Michael's (14-5). The diminutive Horsemen will drive their fans crazy because their margin for error is so slim. But the one thing they can do is play defense. And boy can they play it. Nine teams have scored fewer than 40 points this season, and expect that trend not to change this season. It's the calling card for the Horsemen.
3. Wingate (15-1). The Bears breezed through Tohatchi and Crownpoint in District 1AAA's first week. Don't expect Wingate to drop a game in district play, and if District 5AAA turns into a dogfight, it might find its way to a top two seed.
4. Taos (12-6). The Tigers get the jump on the Sundevils because of a 68-67 win over Santa Fe High, while the Sundevils are 0-2 to start the 5AAA season. This may be only temporary, but the Tigers are a team that is a dark horse in the AAA bracket
5. Sandia Prep (12-6). The Sundevils missed a chance to move past the Bears, but, as usual, they couldn't beat Hope. Their game against Pojoaque looms larger because thyey need to avoid an 0-3 start and a serious tumble down the standings.
6. Socorro (12-6). The Warriors are 2-0 in 3AAA, but a crucial matchup with Silver emerges on Friday.
7. Portales (12-5). The Rams didn't slip up against Mesilla Valley Christian and Tucumcari last week, and they move up with the Elks struggling to start the 5AAA season. A win over Roswell will keep them moving up.
8. Las Vegas Robertson (12-6). The Cardinals are on a five-game winning streak, and have a nine-day break before facing Taos in the District 2AAA opener. For a team starving for a signature win, this is it.
9. Pojoaque Valley (11-8). Speaking of signature wins, the Elks can look at their game against Sandia Prep as their moment to shine. That would make it two wins over top-six seeds.
10. Silver (9-9). The Colts' trot is turning into a gallop. A win over Socorro, and it's a full-on sprint from here on out.
11. SFIS (9-8). The Braves are in free-fall, having lost five in a row and six of their last seven. There is no relief in sight in 5AAA, though. Friday, the Huskies take aim. Can you say six in a row?
12. Ruidoso (9-9). The Warriors can solidify this spot with a win over Lovington on Friday. Their win over West Las Vegas was their first over a non-3AAA school, so maybe this is a trend.
13. Lovington (7-9). The Wildcats get their first taste of AAA action with the Warriors, and a win moves them up ... to 12. They need to finish second in 4AAA to stay away from the bottom two spots.
14. Hot Springs (7-11). The Tigers struggled against Socorro and Silver, but as long as they take care of business against Cobre and Hot Springs, everything should be all right.
15. Shiprock (6-12). If the Chieftains get past Thoreau tonight, it sets up a big showdown with Zuni. A win brings them that much closer to a runner-up finish to Wingate and in the playoffs.
16. West Las Vegas (4-13). The Dons were oh-so-close to a big win over Ruidoso on Friday. But it's good enough to keep them in the conversation. Last week's advice still applies: Beat Raton!

As for the rest: Raton, Hot Springs, Thoreau and Zuni need some help. A lot of help. Well, if Raton beats West ... the Tigers are probably on their way to the state tournament.