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.
Jan 27, 2011
Jan 26, 2011
AAAA bracketology (Updated as of Tues.)
It's another stirring rendition of bracketology, and the first week of district play helped make the picture a bit clearer. Here's what I have for the week.
1. Gallup (13-6). Ah, if only I could see the steam coming out of Richard Martinez's ears right now. The Bengals were sloppy in a 62-59 overtime win over District 6AAAA foe Los Lunas at home. Saturday's home matchup with Grants could be a make-or-break moment for Gallup. A win keeps them solidly in the top spot. A loss could drop them a few spots - and raise the Pirates' seeding as well.
2. Española Valley (12-7). The Sundevils are in the driver's seat at 3-0 in 2AAAA, and their next big test won't come until they head to Toby Roybal for a rematch with Santa Fe High. They are anxiously waiting for the Bengals to fall ... Just as long as they don't either.
3. Roswell (14-3). The Coyotes are 10 days away from its big District 4AAAA opener against Roswell Goddard. In between that are matchups with AAA Portales and Ruidoso, so don't mess it up, Roswell.
4. Piedra Vista (16-2). Yes, the Panthers' schedule is soft, but 16-2 is 16-2. Troubling sign, though, was a 65-59 win over a 5-12 Farmington team in the 1AAAA opener. For the Panthers to maintain their perch, they have to keep winning - and convincingly at that.
5. Santa Teresa (10-8). The Desert Warriors keep creeping up. They swept through 4AAAA - beating Roswell, Goddard and Artesia, and that will weigh stronger as the district season progresses. Any losses from the top four will surely move Santa Teresa up.
6. Capital (11-6). The Jaguars, as usual, missed their golden opportunity against Espanola, and their second-half comeback over Bernalillo wasn't inspiring either. However, they are 2-1 after a 2-3 slump, so they are slowly regaining their form. Capital needs to finish second to maintain a top six spot.
7. Grants (14-2). Here is the Pirates opportunity. The nondistrict schedule has been lambasted as not tough enough, so Saturday's game against the Bengals is huge to silence the critics. The return of 6-foot-3 Weston Zellers could prove crucial in their try to enhance their resume.
8. St. Pius X (10-8). Surprise, surprise! Looks who's moving up at the right time? Yes, those pesky Sartans seem to have a sixth sense about when it's time to shine. A 5AAAA win over Del Norte gives them the early leg up in the district, but beware the Chargers of Albuquerque Academy. Their hated rival comes to the West Side on Friday.
9. Aztec (11-6). The Tigers started off 1AAAA on a good note, walloping Kirtland Central by 20 points. Thursday presents the Bobcats of Bloomfield, then ... PV on Saturday. It's time to make some noise against your former head coach (Brian Shock), Aztec.
10. Roswell Goddard (11-6). After a tough loss to Santa Teresa, the Rockets split two games against AAAAA schools, losing to No. 3 Clovis while beating the Hobbs Eagles. Carlsbad comes to town on Friday, then it's on to District 4AAAA play.
11. Los Lunas (8-9). Two closes losses to Grants and Gallup to start 6AAAA play show how close the Tigers are to being an elite team. But close doesn't quite cut it. They'll have a second chance in the second half of the district season. So, go Tigers! (YES, I am a Tigers grad.)
12. Artesia (11-8). The Bulldogs are doing just enough to ... Well, not drop. A loss to Clovis Tuesday won't hurt, but a win over Hobbs on Thursday will do nothing but help.
13. Del Norte (8-11). The Knights jumped in when they beat Academy, and a 52-44 loss at St. Pius X isn't that bad. This might be a team few want to face come March because Del Norte is on a 7-3 run right now.
14. Albuquerque Academy (6-13). A 4-2 mark against AAAA competition is better than what anyone else has done, so the Chargers are still in the postseason. Anda win over St. Pius can go a long way toward solidifying it.
15. Deming (9-11). The Wildcats picked a good time for a week-long break. They don't move out, and they don't move up. And that's all that matters at this time of year.
16. Bernalillo (9-9). The Spartans need a big win like I need to lose (more) weight. And guess who's coming to town on Friday? How about those Demons of Santa Fe High ... Talk about a playoff-like game in January. That's what this game is.
Outside looking in:
Valencia (8-11). Yay! They beat Miyamura! Booooo! They lost to Grants. That adds up to 3-8 against AAAA schools. Just not good enough.
Santa Fe High (6-11). Even David Rodriguez knows the heat is on his team to do something - anything - in 2AAAA. A loss to Taos is bad, but a loss to Bernalillo? Start talking about the district tournament then, guys.
Kirtland Central (8-10). An 0-2 start knocked the Broncos into bubble land. Funny, if you asked me at the beginning of the year who would be a dark horse in AAAA this year, I'd have said KC. Way to prove me wrong!
Bloomfield (8-10). The bubble is about to burst The Bobcats have to do something, and fast.
1. Gallup (13-6). Ah, if only I could see the steam coming out of Richard Martinez's ears right now. The Bengals were sloppy in a 62-59 overtime win over District 6AAAA foe Los Lunas at home. Saturday's home matchup with Grants could be a make-or-break moment for Gallup. A win keeps them solidly in the top spot. A loss could drop them a few spots - and raise the Pirates' seeding as well.
2. Española Valley (12-7). The Sundevils are in the driver's seat at 3-0 in 2AAAA, and their next big test won't come until they head to Toby Roybal for a rematch with Santa Fe High. They are anxiously waiting for the Bengals to fall ... Just as long as they don't either.
3. Roswell (14-3). The Coyotes are 10 days away from its big District 4AAAA opener against Roswell Goddard. In between that are matchups with AAA Portales and Ruidoso, so don't mess it up, Roswell.
4. Piedra Vista (16-2). Yes, the Panthers' schedule is soft, but 16-2 is 16-2. Troubling sign, though, was a 65-59 win over a 5-12 Farmington team in the 1AAAA opener. For the Panthers to maintain their perch, they have to keep winning - and convincingly at that.
5. Santa Teresa (10-8). The Desert Warriors keep creeping up. They swept through 4AAAA - beating Roswell, Goddard and Artesia, and that will weigh stronger as the district season progresses. Any losses from the top four will surely move Santa Teresa up.
6. Capital (11-6). The Jaguars, as usual, missed their golden opportunity against Espanola, and their second-half comeback over Bernalillo wasn't inspiring either. However, they are 2-1 after a 2-3 slump, so they are slowly regaining their form. Capital needs to finish second to maintain a top six spot.
7. Grants (14-2). Here is the Pirates opportunity. The nondistrict schedule has been lambasted as not tough enough, so Saturday's game against the Bengals is huge to silence the critics. The return of 6-foot-3 Weston Zellers could prove crucial in their try to enhance their resume.
8. St. Pius X (10-8). Surprise, surprise! Looks who's moving up at the right time? Yes, those pesky Sartans seem to have a sixth sense about when it's time to shine. A 5AAAA win over Del Norte gives them the early leg up in the district, but beware the Chargers of Albuquerque Academy. Their hated rival comes to the West Side on Friday.
9. Aztec (11-6). The Tigers started off 1AAAA on a good note, walloping Kirtland Central by 20 points. Thursday presents the Bobcats of Bloomfield, then ... PV on Saturday. It's time to make some noise against your former head coach (Brian Shock), Aztec.
10. Roswell Goddard (11-6). After a tough loss to Santa Teresa, the Rockets split two games against AAAAA schools, losing to No. 3 Clovis while beating the Hobbs Eagles. Carlsbad comes to town on Friday, then it's on to District 4AAAA play.
11. Los Lunas (8-9). Two closes losses to Grants and Gallup to start 6AAAA play show how close the Tigers are to being an elite team. But close doesn't quite cut it. They'll have a second chance in the second half of the district season. So, go Tigers! (YES, I am a Tigers grad.)
12. Artesia (11-8). The Bulldogs are doing just enough to ... Well, not drop. A loss to Clovis Tuesday won't hurt, but a win over Hobbs on Thursday will do nothing but help.
13. Del Norte (8-11). The Knights jumped in when they beat Academy, and a 52-44 loss at St. Pius X isn't that bad. This might be a team few want to face come March because Del Norte is on a 7-3 run right now.
14. Albuquerque Academy (6-13). A 4-2 mark against AAAA competition is better than what anyone else has done, so the Chargers are still in the postseason. Anda win over St. Pius can go a long way toward solidifying it.
15. Deming (9-11). The Wildcats picked a good time for a week-long break. They don't move out, and they don't move up. And that's all that matters at this time of year.
16. Bernalillo (9-9). The Spartans need a big win like I need to lose (more) weight. And guess who's coming to town on Friday? How about those Demons of Santa Fe High ... Talk about a playoff-like game in January. That's what this game is.
Outside looking in:
Valencia (8-11). Yay! They beat Miyamura! Booooo! They lost to Grants. That adds up to 3-8 against AAAA schools. Just not good enough.
Santa Fe High (6-11). Even David Rodriguez knows the heat is on his team to do something - anything - in 2AAAA. A loss to Taos is bad, but a loss to Bernalillo? Start talking about the district tournament then, guys.
Kirtland Central (8-10). An 0-2 start knocked the Broncos into bubble land. Funny, if you asked me at the beginning of the year who would be a dark horse in AAAA this year, I'd have said KC. Way to prove me wrong!
Bloomfield (8-10). The bubble is about to burst The Bobcats have to do something, and fast.
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