Feb 26, 2011
Unfortunate news regarding a Las Cruces Oñate football player
Las Cruces Oñate senior Jerry Zamarripa passes away earlier Saturday after being beaten at a party early Sunday morning in the Las Cruces area. The story has a few twists as well - including friends retaliating against the wrong person, and allegedly killing a 57-year-old Vietnam War veteran - but click the link here for more. Condolences to his family and friends
Feb 25, 2011
Updated AAA rankings
Sorry it's taken so long for the update, but here it is:
1. Hope Christian (23-3). No loss big or small to Sandia Prep in the District 5AAA Tournament will affect this spot.
Now that we've got the easy part out of the way ... What to do with the next six spots. It's quite a group of teams that have beaten up on each other, have good wins that are offset by bad ones, and they each have unique characteristics to stake a claim to No. 2. But when all is said and done ...
2. Las Vegas Robertson (19-6). Yes, the Cardinals have losses to St. Michael's (5AAA's runner-up) and Socorro (3AAA champion) and a now-bad loss to Santa Fe Indian School, but they have two wins over 2AAA runner-up Taos plus one over 4AAA champion Portales and are 8-4 against AAA competition. Robertson also beat Bosque School, a 3AA champion that is ranked No. 2 in the final coaches poll and has played tough AAA competition. The Bobcats even have wins over Ruidoso, Taos and West Las Vegas and close losses to Wingate and St. Michael's. And there's this: the Cardinals are on a 12-game winning streak.
3. Taos (17-8). If the Tigers had been able to beat Robertson, they'd be a solid No. 2 right now. Their resume is impressive, with wins over Socorro, St. Michael's, Portales, Capital (2AAAA runner-up) and Roswell Goddard (3AAAA runner-up). The good losses are to 2AAAA champ Española Valley (twice), Hope Christian, the Cardinals twice and Bosque School. The bad? A loss to Los Alamos and a 54-52 loss to Navajo Pine. That's 16-11 AA Navajo Pine.
4. St. Michael's (17-11). The loss to Pojoaque is a gift that finally gives here. Otherwise, I'd have the Horsemen a seed lower, but I can't put Pojoaque above an 11 or below a 13. That said, it seems the Horsemen reputation precedes itself. The arguments I hear from everybody is that the Horsemen are the runners-up in the toughest district in AAA and they beat Robertson handily. Those points are great, but ... St. Michael's is 3-5 in its last eight games. The losses are to Pojoaque, Española, Hope twice and Sandia Prep, which are good losses but considering the stretch they are in, it's not that good. The Horsemen do have two wins over the third-place Albuquerque Sundevils, over Robertson, over Wingate, over AAAAA Valley (District 5AAAAA runner-up) and over St. Pius X (5AAAA champion). Offset that with losses to Taos, Socorro, Pojoaque Valley, Capital, and Santa Fe High twice. I've emphasized how you finish as a strong point, and St. Michael's enters the AAA tournament with a limp, not a sprint.
5. Socorro (17-8). The Warriors are 13-5 and have the second-most wins over AAA competition. They own wins over Robertson, St. Michael's and two against 3AAA runner-up Silver. Close losses to Wingate (87-86) and Sandia Prep (65-57) and Pojoaque Valley (67-60) hurt some, but all the teams after Hope have bad losses. What hurts, though is the bottom half of the bracket, otherwise, the Warriors are a 4 in my mind.
6. Sandia Prep (20-9). The Sundevils aren't a six seed. They are victims of finishing behind a struggling Horsemen team. This team owns wins over Volcano Vista (1AAAAA runner-up), St. Pius X, Eldorado (2AAAAA), Robertson, Grants (6AAAA runner-up) and Santa Fe High. Losses to West Mesa (5AAAAA champion), Gallup (6AAAA), St. Pius and Las Cruces (3AAAAA) look good, but those two losses in the 5AAA regular season to St. Michael's come back to bite them.
7. Wingate (24-3). The Bears are 14-3 against AAA competition, they own a win over Socorro, another over Bosque School and AA's Rehoboth (1AA champion). But ... two losses to Shiprock flooded the good ship Wingate. They lost to St. Michael's. They own a win over a Class A team (Gallup Catholic), three over AA schools (Navajo Pine and two to Laguna-Acoma), beat 6-20 West Las Vegas twice and play in the second-worst district in AAA. And seventh is what what you get.
8. Portales (17-8). The Rams beat Lovington two of three times (including a playoff game for the 4AAA top seed), and own wins over Roswell and St. Pius X. Close losses to AAAA Artesia, Robertson and Taos help, but Portales' overall resume kind of pales against the other seven - except for maybe Wingate. Still, they'll get a first-round home game at least.
9. Shiprock (15-12). Amazingly, the Chieftains are 11-1 against AAA competition, but 11 of those games were in 1AAAA and then there was a win over Raton. Shiprock had nothing to hang its hats on until beating Wingate twice. They beat AA Mesilla Valley early in the season when it didn't have its transfers, but that was it.
10. Silver (15-12). All eight wins in AAA for the Colts came in district play. At least one of them came against Socorro. And thank God people forgot that loss to West Las Vegas ... Wait a minute, one person didn't.
11. Pojoaque Valley (13-13). The Elks played a tough schedule, and thanks to wins over Socorro and St. Michael's - plus the fact that the Horsies are my five-seed - the Elks get a bump up in seeding as well. Two wins over Santa Fe High and another over Artesia solidify this spot.
12. Lovington (13-12). This is where wins matter. One win over Portales and one over Roswell Goddard means an 11 seed. Welcome to state.
13. Zuni (15-14). The Thunderbirds' 7-8 mark was mostly in district play - all the wins were, at least - but they played some tough teams (Rehoboth twice, Taos, Hatch Valley, Socorro) that was enough to get Zuni this high.
14. Hot Springs (12-15). With a 6-6 AAA mark and a win over Ruidoso, the Tigers get in. Thanks for playing.
15. Santa Fe Indian School (9-16). The first half of the season saved the Braves. Wins over Los Lunas, Robertson and Aztec were enough to overlook a 1-11 finish.
16. Ruidoso (10-15). The Warriors might have gone winless in 4AAA play, but two wins over Hot Springs helped the cause. Tell Jim Murphy hello for me after that first-round game.
1. Hope Christian (23-3). No loss big or small to Sandia Prep in the District 5AAA Tournament will affect this spot.
Now that we've got the easy part out of the way ... What to do with the next six spots. It's quite a group of teams that have beaten up on each other, have good wins that are offset by bad ones, and they each have unique characteristics to stake a claim to No. 2. But when all is said and done ...
2. Las Vegas Robertson (19-6). Yes, the Cardinals have losses to St. Michael's (5AAA's runner-up) and Socorro (3AAA champion) and a now-bad loss to Santa Fe Indian School, but they have two wins over 2AAA runner-up Taos plus one over 4AAA champion Portales and are 8-4 against AAA competition. Robertson also beat Bosque School, a 3AA champion that is ranked No. 2 in the final coaches poll and has played tough AAA competition. The Bobcats even have wins over Ruidoso, Taos and West Las Vegas and close losses to Wingate and St. Michael's. And there's this: the Cardinals are on a 12-game winning streak.
3. Taos (17-8). If the Tigers had been able to beat Robertson, they'd be a solid No. 2 right now. Their resume is impressive, with wins over Socorro, St. Michael's, Portales, Capital (2AAAA runner-up) and Roswell Goddard (3AAAA runner-up). The good losses are to 2AAAA champ Española Valley (twice), Hope Christian, the Cardinals twice and Bosque School. The bad? A loss to Los Alamos and a 54-52 loss to Navajo Pine. That's 16-11 AA Navajo Pine.
4. St. Michael's (17-11). The loss to Pojoaque is a gift that finally gives here. Otherwise, I'd have the Horsemen a seed lower, but I can't put Pojoaque above an 11 or below a 13. That said, it seems the Horsemen reputation precedes itself. The arguments I hear from everybody is that the Horsemen are the runners-up in the toughest district in AAA and they beat Robertson handily. Those points are great, but ... St. Michael's is 3-5 in its last eight games. The losses are to Pojoaque, Española, Hope twice and Sandia Prep, which are good losses but considering the stretch they are in, it's not that good. The Horsemen do have two wins over the third-place Albuquerque Sundevils, over Robertson, over Wingate, over AAAAA Valley (District 5AAAAA runner-up) and over St. Pius X (5AAAA champion). Offset that with losses to Taos, Socorro, Pojoaque Valley, Capital, and Santa Fe High twice. I've emphasized how you finish as a strong point, and St. Michael's enters the AAA tournament with a limp, not a sprint.
5. Socorro (17-8). The Warriors are 13-5 and have the second-most wins over AAA competition. They own wins over Robertson, St. Michael's and two against 3AAA runner-up Silver. Close losses to Wingate (87-86) and Sandia Prep (65-57) and Pojoaque Valley (67-60) hurt some, but all the teams after Hope have bad losses. What hurts, though is the bottom half of the bracket, otherwise, the Warriors are a 4 in my mind.
6. Sandia Prep (20-9). The Sundevils aren't a six seed. They are victims of finishing behind a struggling Horsemen team. This team owns wins over Volcano Vista (1AAAAA runner-up), St. Pius X, Eldorado (2AAAAA), Robertson, Grants (6AAAA runner-up) and Santa Fe High. Losses to West Mesa (5AAAAA champion), Gallup (6AAAA), St. Pius and Las Cruces (3AAAAA) look good, but those two losses in the 5AAA regular season to St. Michael's come back to bite them.
7. Wingate (24-3). The Bears are 14-3 against AAA competition, they own a win over Socorro, another over Bosque School and AA's Rehoboth (1AA champion). But ... two losses to Shiprock flooded the good ship Wingate. They lost to St. Michael's. They own a win over a Class A team (Gallup Catholic), three over AA schools (Navajo Pine and two to Laguna-Acoma), beat 6-20 West Las Vegas twice and play in the second-worst district in AAA. And seventh is what what you get.
8. Portales (17-8). The Rams beat Lovington two of three times (including a playoff game for the 4AAA top seed), and own wins over Roswell and St. Pius X. Close losses to AAAA Artesia, Robertson and Taos help, but Portales' overall resume kind of pales against the other seven - except for maybe Wingate. Still, they'll get a first-round home game at least.
9. Shiprock (15-12). Amazingly, the Chieftains are 11-1 against AAA competition, but 11 of those games were in 1AAAA and then there was a win over Raton. Shiprock had nothing to hang its hats on until beating Wingate twice. They beat AA Mesilla Valley early in the season when it didn't have its transfers, but that was it.
10. Silver (15-12). All eight wins in AAA for the Colts came in district play. At least one of them came against Socorro. And thank God people forgot that loss to West Las Vegas ... Wait a minute, one person didn't.
11. Pojoaque Valley (13-13). The Elks played a tough schedule, and thanks to wins over Socorro and St. Michael's - plus the fact that the Horsies are my five-seed - the Elks get a bump up in seeding as well. Two wins over Santa Fe High and another over Artesia solidify this spot.
12. Lovington (13-12). This is where wins matter. One win over Portales and one over Roswell Goddard means an 11 seed. Welcome to state.
13. Zuni (15-14). The Thunderbirds' 7-8 mark was mostly in district play - all the wins were, at least - but they played some tough teams (Rehoboth twice, Taos, Hatch Valley, Socorro) that was enough to get Zuni this high.
14. Hot Springs (12-15). With a 6-6 AAA mark and a win over Ruidoso, the Tigers get in. Thanks for playing.
15. Santa Fe Indian School (9-16). The first half of the season saved the Braves. Wins over Los Lunas, Robertson and Aztec were enough to overlook a 1-11 finish.
16. Ruidoso (10-15). The Warriors might have gone winless in 4AAA play, but two wins over Hot Springs helped the cause. Tell Jim Murphy hello for me after that first-round game.
Feb 23, 2011
Class AAAA (new and improved ... But still a mess)
So, take four teams and have them lose games you didn't expect in the final week of the season. Now mix on one team that's on a roll but plays in a weak district. Add drama and include a dash of debate and what do you have?
Well, being that this is a family newspaper, I can't say it. But if I were play Charades, I'd say the term sounds like "dumspter truck."
Either way, I will endeavor to do my best to sift through the morass that is AAAA seeding.
Well, here goes nothing ...
1. Espanola Valley (19-8). Yes, the loss to the bottom team in 2AAAA was bad. But when you look at their overall resume, it is better than the other four in the running. The Sundevils have beaten the most district champions (Class AAA Las Vegas Robertson, Gallup, Santa Teresa, Class AAAAA Manzano) and have four wins over district runners-up (Capital twice, AAA Taos, AAA St. Michael's). The downside are the losses to Rio Rancho and bernalillo, but the other teams have blemishes as well. Their flaws stand out more than the Sundevils'.
3. Gallup (19-7). The Bengals were motoring right along - 10 straight wins - when the Jaguars of Valencia knocked them off their perch. And that, as much as anything, left them exposed to their overall work. Gallup beat 5AAAA champ St. Pius and 6AAAA runner-up Grants twice, but lost to Las Cruces Oñate by only two, Española in the season opener and Hope Christian. They also own a win over Sandia Prep, which was third in 5AAA, and a pair of losses to Rio Rancho Cleveland (third in 1AAAAA). Good, but not good enough.
2. Santa Teresa (17-8). The Desert Warriors are on a roll - a big one. Winners of 12 in a row, they are the hottest team in AAAA. Still, they have only beaten one district champion (Roswell of 3AAAA) and have a loss to the Sundevils, a Gadsden team that was 0-8 in 3AAAAA, a fourth-place Mayfield team twice, and a 6-18 Carlsbad team. To boot, Deming (11-14) and Chaparral (6-20) were district fodder. Santa Teresa might be able to move up a spot if Gallup loses, but but that's it.
4. Roswell (20-5). The Coyotes have a gaudy record, but don't let first appearances fool you. Roswell beat one district champion (4AAA's Portales, which also beat them), but also Carlsbad three times, plus Deming (1-3 in a weak 3AAAA) and Ruidoso (0-4 in 4AAAA) twice. That isn't championship caliber scheduling.
5. St. Pius X (17-8). A 1-7 start is never good, but consider: three of the losses were to district champions (Gallup, AAAAA's West Mesa and Cibola) and two runners-up (the Horsemen and Grants). Since then, the Sartans have gone 15-1. Still, their best win was over Albuquerque Academy and they missed a shot to play Capital because of the wacky weather.
6. Capital (16-7). Throw out the loss to Pueblo Central at the Capital City Invite, and the Jaguars are 16-6. Of the six losses, all but one were to district runners-up (Valley, Taos, Albuquerque Academy or district champions (Española twice). They beat St. Michael's and Grants, plus Del Norte. Now if they could have beaten St. Pius, they might have a claim to a 5-seed.
7. Grants (19-4). The Pirates have a win over St. Pius plus losses to Gallup and Capital. The loss to Sandia Prep doesn't look as bad either, considering how tough 5AAA is overall. Grants also avoided trap games against Los Lunas and Valencia to be ranked ahead of ...
8. Piedra Vista (22-3). Again, records can be decieving. The Panthers beat a grand total of three in-state teams with winning records - Aztec, AAA Shiprock and Kirtland Central. Two of them are district teams, the other just left last year. They also beat Albuquerque Academy, which was tied for second in 5AAAA, but they don't have much else to bank on other than a nice record.
9. Roswell Goddard (16-10). The Rockets are a victim of a rough start turned good. Despite beating Roswell, they started off 4-4 with losses to Taos (not bad), SFIS (started out good, then went REALLY bad) and Lovington (not bad, 4AAA runner-up). The win over Piedra Vista helps, but 10 losses is hard to overcome three, especially when there are no other ones to support it - other than Roswell.
10. Aztec (15-6). The seed might say 10, but the Tigers should be 11. The win over Piedra Vista is the highlight on a schedule that didn't have many. The biggest nondistrict win? Try Shiprock? Bad losses? How about Santa Fe Indian School and Deming and Kirtland Central. However you look at it, Aztec hasn't done much to warrant respect.
11. Valencia (14-13). The Jaguars made quite a leap with a win over Gallup, which allowed them to wrap up third place in perhaps the most competitive district in the state. Valencia was helped by a win over Del Norte (tied for runner-up in 5AAAA), Socorro (3AAA champion) and Hot Springs (3AAA runner up). The bad is a loss to Atrisco Heritage and to Bernalillo when it was healthy.
12. Los Lunas (13-13). The Tigers are the fourth - and last team - from 6AAAA to get in. They do it on the strength of wins over Roswell, Del Norte and Valencia and near misses against Grants and Gallup twice. The loss to SFIS wasn't good, neither did Los Lunas look good against AAAAA competition (signature win was over Valley). But the Tigers did enough.
13. Albuquerque Academy (10-15). The Chargers tied Del Norte for second in 5AAAA, but they have more style points over the Knights. Oh, and a win over Capital (which Del Norte failed to do) and Highland. Academy also improved as the season went along, losing by 10 to Manzano and by single digits to St. Pius X.
14. Del Norte (10-13). Yeah, the Knights split with Academy and also played two close games with the Sartans, but they failed to seal the deal on Capital. It's just enough to get them here.
15. Santa Fe High (10-15). Matt King called the Demons "the most dangerous 10-15 team in the state." Ain't that the truth. Santa Fe High has wins over Volcano Vista, Valencia and two over the hated Horsemen, and it's just enough to get this spot. The only way they miss out is if Kirtland Central makes a run ... Of course, if they win the 2AAAA Tournament, forget what I just said.
16. Artesia (12-13). The Bulldogs have no signature AAAA win, but they did a number on 3AAA, beating Lovington and Ruidoso twice, and Portales as well. Artesia also managed a win over Silver (runner-up, 3AAA) and came oh-so-close to beating Santa Teresa. Close is good in this case, so add close losses to Roswell (at home) and Goddard in district play.
Well, being that this is a family newspaper, I can't say it. But if I were play Charades, I'd say the term sounds like "dumspter truck."
Either way, I will endeavor to do my best to sift through the morass that is AAAA seeding.
Well, here goes nothing ...
1. Espanola Valley (19-8). Yes, the loss to the bottom team in 2AAAA was bad. But when you look at their overall resume, it is better than the other four in the running. The Sundevils have beaten the most district champions (Class AAA Las Vegas Robertson, Gallup, Santa Teresa, Class AAAAA Manzano) and have four wins over district runners-up (Capital twice, AAA Taos, AAA St. Michael's). The downside are the losses to Rio Rancho and bernalillo, but the other teams have blemishes as well. Their flaws stand out more than the Sundevils'.
3. Gallup (19-7). The Bengals were motoring right along - 10 straight wins - when the Jaguars of Valencia knocked them off their perch. And that, as much as anything, left them exposed to their overall work. Gallup beat 5AAAA champ St. Pius and 6AAAA runner-up Grants twice, but lost to Las Cruces Oñate by only two, Española in the season opener and Hope Christian. They also own a win over Sandia Prep, which was third in 5AAA, and a pair of losses to Rio Rancho Cleveland (third in 1AAAAA). Good, but not good enough.
2. Santa Teresa (17-8). The Desert Warriors are on a roll - a big one. Winners of 12 in a row, they are the hottest team in AAAA. Still, they have only beaten one district champion (Roswell of 3AAAA) and have a loss to the Sundevils, a Gadsden team that was 0-8 in 3AAAAA, a fourth-place Mayfield team twice, and a 6-18 Carlsbad team. To boot, Deming (11-14) and Chaparral (6-20) were district fodder. Santa Teresa might be able to move up a spot if Gallup loses, but but that's it.
4. Roswell (20-5). The Coyotes have a gaudy record, but don't let first appearances fool you. Roswell beat one district champion (4AAA's Portales, which also beat them), but also Carlsbad three times, plus Deming (1-3 in a weak 3AAAA) and Ruidoso (0-4 in 4AAAA) twice. That isn't championship caliber scheduling.
5. St. Pius X (17-8). A 1-7 start is never good, but consider: three of the losses were to district champions (Gallup, AAAAA's West Mesa and Cibola) and two runners-up (the Horsemen and Grants). Since then, the Sartans have gone 15-1. Still, their best win was over Albuquerque Academy and they missed a shot to play Capital because of the wacky weather.
6. Capital (16-7). Throw out the loss to Pueblo Central at the Capital City Invite, and the Jaguars are 16-6. Of the six losses, all but one were to district runners-up (Valley, Taos, Albuquerque Academy or district champions (Española twice). They beat St. Michael's and Grants, plus Del Norte. Now if they could have beaten St. Pius, they might have a claim to a 5-seed.
7. Grants (19-4). The Pirates have a win over St. Pius plus losses to Gallup and Capital. The loss to Sandia Prep doesn't look as bad either, considering how tough 5AAA is overall. Grants also avoided trap games against Los Lunas and Valencia to be ranked ahead of ...
8. Piedra Vista (22-3). Again, records can be decieving. The Panthers beat a grand total of three in-state teams with winning records - Aztec, AAA Shiprock and Kirtland Central. Two of them are district teams, the other just left last year. They also beat Albuquerque Academy, which was tied for second in 5AAAA, but they don't have much else to bank on other than a nice record.
9. Roswell Goddard (16-10). The Rockets are a victim of a rough start turned good. Despite beating Roswell, they started off 4-4 with losses to Taos (not bad), SFIS (started out good, then went REALLY bad) and Lovington (not bad, 4AAA runner-up). The win over Piedra Vista helps, but 10 losses is hard to overcome three, especially when there are no other ones to support it - other than Roswell.
10. Aztec (15-6). The seed might say 10, but the Tigers should be 11. The win over Piedra Vista is the highlight on a schedule that didn't have many. The biggest nondistrict win? Try Shiprock? Bad losses? How about Santa Fe Indian School and Deming and Kirtland Central. However you look at it, Aztec hasn't done much to warrant respect.
11. Valencia (14-13). The Jaguars made quite a leap with a win over Gallup, which allowed them to wrap up third place in perhaps the most competitive district in the state. Valencia was helped by a win over Del Norte (tied for runner-up in 5AAAA), Socorro (3AAA champion) and Hot Springs (3AAA runner up). The bad is a loss to Atrisco Heritage and to Bernalillo when it was healthy.
12. Los Lunas (13-13). The Tigers are the fourth - and last team - from 6AAAA to get in. They do it on the strength of wins over Roswell, Del Norte and Valencia and near misses against Grants and Gallup twice. The loss to SFIS wasn't good, neither did Los Lunas look good against AAAAA competition (signature win was over Valley). But the Tigers did enough.
13. Albuquerque Academy (10-15). The Chargers tied Del Norte for second in 5AAAA, but they have more style points over the Knights. Oh, and a win over Capital (which Del Norte failed to do) and Highland. Academy also improved as the season went along, losing by 10 to Manzano and by single digits to St. Pius X.
14. Del Norte (10-13). Yeah, the Knights split with Academy and also played two close games with the Sartans, but they failed to seal the deal on Capital. It's just enough to get them here.
15. Santa Fe High (10-15). Matt King called the Demons "the most dangerous 10-15 team in the state." Ain't that the truth. Santa Fe High has wins over Volcano Vista, Valencia and two over the hated Horsemen, and it's just enough to get this spot. The only way they miss out is if Kirtland Central makes a run ... Of course, if they win the 2AAAA Tournament, forget what I just said.
16. Artesia (12-13). The Bulldogs have no signature AAAA win, but they did a number on 3AAA, beating Lovington and Ruidoso twice, and Portales as well. Artesia also managed a win over Silver (runner-up, 3AAA) and came oh-so-close to beating Santa Teresa. Close is good in this case, so add close losses to Roswell (at home) and Goddard in district play.
The fine print ...
So, even after seven years of being a sports reporter, sometimes it helps to read the fine print, and that was something I did not do when it came to seeding this year. Having been accustomed to the normal rules that the committee considers only in-class performance compared to the overall schedule, that has changed this year.
New Mexico Activities Association by law 7.11.2-B stipulates the following for seeding:
The remainder of the teams will be selected by the NMAA Staff using the following
criteria. There is neither order nor priority in the criteria listed below:
1. Finish in district play and/or district tournaments.
2. Head to Head
3. Performance against other teams including district champions or runner-ups from other
districts, regardless of class.
4. Input from NMAA staff members
5. Overall Records
6. Elimination – which teams from that particular class do not fit the format
due to their lack of success during the current year.
7. New Mexico High School Coaches Association Poll
8. Member School Input
**NOTE: One district team cannot be seeded or selected higher than another if they came out of district as a lower seed, with regular season taking precedence over tournament play. In the event of a tie in the regular season district standings, the NMAA Staff may use district tournament results or any other head to head competition to determine the selection/seeding order between the two teams that are tied.
So, with that said, I whiffed on the third criteria in that list. So with that said, I am adjusting my seeding and rationale. And not a moment too soon. Seems like some of you actually do follow what I write (on my blog, that is. I hear enough about the print stuff to know you do! not that I mind, hehehe ...).
I will have an updated AAAA bracket tonight and will work on a new and improved AAA bracket for tomorrow.
Until then ... Let the anticipation begin.
New Mexico Activities Association by law 7.11.2-B stipulates the following for seeding:
The remainder of the teams will be selected by the NMAA Staff using the following
criteria. There is neither order nor priority in the criteria listed below:
1. Finish in district play and/or district tournaments.
2. Head to Head
3. Performance against other teams including district champions or runner-ups from other
districts, regardless of class.
4. Input from NMAA staff members
5. Overall Records
6. Elimination – which teams from that particular class do not fit the format
due to their lack of success during the current year.
7. New Mexico High School Coaches Association Poll
8. Member School Input
**NOTE: One district team cannot be seeded or selected higher than another if they came out of district as a lower seed, with regular season taking precedence over tournament play. In the event of a tie in the regular season district standings, the NMAA Staff may use district tournament results or any other head to head competition to determine the selection/seeding order between the two teams that are tied.
So, with that said, I whiffed on the third criteria in that list. So with that said, I am adjusting my seeding and rationale. And not a moment too soon. Seems like some of you actually do follow what I write (on my blog, that is. I hear enough about the print stuff to know you do! not that I mind, hehehe ...).
I will have an updated AAAA bracket tonight and will work on a new and improved AAA bracket for tomorrow.
Until then ... Let the anticipation begin.
Feb 21, 2011
So from one bit of insanity to another ...
After watching perhaps the most entertaining state wrestling tournament I've ever witness - and I never would have believed Robertson could lose with so much at stake - I catch up on the craziness of the last weekend of the regular season for basketball.
Capital needs a buzzer-beater to get past Santa Fe High?
Hope Christian does the same to St. Michael's?
Bernalillo can't save its season, but it beat Espanola Valley?
Valencia beat Gallup?
What to do, what to do ..
Well I gave the AAAA update - and I will again, but this time, it's AAA's turn for the update.
Let's get this ball rolling ...
AAA seedings
1. Hope Christian (23-3). Even with a loss to St. Michael's, the Huskies were going to be No. 1. They are undefeated against AAA teams and with the rest of the class feasting upon itself, the gap between 1 and 2 is far. So book them in this spot on Sunday.
And for the rest ...
This is the circular logic here. St. Michael's almost beat Hope, but they lost to Taos, who lost twice to Robertson, who lost to Socorro, who lost to Silver, who lost to West Las Vegas, who lost to Wingate, who lost to ... Yes, you guessed it, the Horsemen. So who goes where? well, I've talked about finishing strong being a good indicator, and the team finishing best is ...
2. Las Vegas Robertson (19-6). The Cardinals went undefeated in district play, and beat Taos twice in the process. They are on a 12-game winning streak - although four of those wins are against AA schools Tucumcari twice, Mora and Santa Rosa - and are the the hottest team outside of Hope. Because everyone else was busy losing their graps on his spot, Robertson quietly moved up.
3. Wingate (24-2). The Bears are in a one-game playoff with Shiprock, and the significance of that is that a win will solidify this spot. A loss could drop them a couple of spots. They rebounded well after the loss to Shiprock, but they need to show they can beat the Chieftains.
4. Socorro (16-8). The Warriors did their part by beating Silver in a one-game playoff Monday. They have a chance to move up with a Wingate loss tonight.
5. Taos (16-8). The Tigers went 7-2 over their final nine games, with wins over St. Michael's and Portales and two close losses to the Cardinals. That win over St. Michael's is key because ... .
6. St. Michael's (16-10). Everything was going fine until that loss to Pojoaque Valley, which started a 2-4 slide to end the year. If finishing strong is key to a high seed, a weak one can do the opposite. Welcome to Exhibit A.
7. Portales (16-8). The Rams dropped like a rock with a double-digit loss to Lovington. They are 6-3 against AAA competition, and finished 8-2 over the last 10 games of the season. Close losses to Taos and Robertson also help, but that loss to Lovington ... Yikes!
8. Sandia Prep (17-9). The Sundevils came into the district season as the likely challenger to Hope Christian in AAA, but they learned a thing or two about playing against former 2AAA schools St. Michael's, Pojoaque Valley and SFIS. They staggered to third place, unable to beat either the Huskies or the Horsemen.
9. Silver (14-11). The Colts are trending upward in the seedings because they are 9-3 over the last 12 games. Even with the loss to Socorro in the playoff game, they won't drop. In fact, they are a team that might be static as far as movement from here on out.
10. Shiprock (14-13). The Chieftains are 10-2 after a 4-11 start, and that includes a win over the Bears, which helped improve their resume. Another win could move them to a nine, but the top eight have done too much for Shiprock to move up any further.
11. Lovington (13-11). Their 3-1 mark in the district accounts for all of the Wildcats' AAA games. The win over Portales was huge, as was the November win over Goddard.
12. Pojoaque Valley (13-12). The Elks couldn't get much mileage out of finally beating the Horsemen. That is coupled with a 2-6 5AAA mark and a loss to a fast-fading SFIS.
13. Ruidoso (10-14). The Warriors might be 0-3 in 4AAA, but they are 3-3 against the rest of the class, with a win over ...
14. Hatch Valley (11-14). Of course, the Tigers have a win over Ruidoso, but they were 1-2 against the 4AAA team. They were 5-5 vs. the rest of AAAA, but no other impressive wins.
15. SFIS (9-14). The Braves are in, based on a split with Robertson. But that 1-10 finish and a 3-9 mark against AAA is bad. VERY bad.
16. Zuni (10-12). The Thunderbirds are in by virtue of a 6-8 record against AAA compettition and a 5-5 mark in 1AAA. But they haven't beaten any one of significance. They're just better than the rest.
Outside looking in:
Crownpoint (9-12). The Eagles have a nondistrict win over Zuni, but lost to them in 1AAA play. They are 4-7 in AAA overall, but they beat Class A Ramah twice, split with AA Laguna Acoma, and beat AA Cuba and Newcomb. Yeah, that'll impress the committee.
Raton (7-16). The Tigers have beaten one AAA team - West Las Vegas.
West Las Vegas (5-19). The Dons have two wins and a split over Raton. Enough said.
Capital needs a buzzer-beater to get past Santa Fe High?
Hope Christian does the same to St. Michael's?
Bernalillo can't save its season, but it beat Espanola Valley?
Valencia beat Gallup?
What to do, what to do ..
Well I gave the AAAA update - and I will again, but this time, it's AAA's turn for the update.
Let's get this ball rolling ...
AAA seedings
1. Hope Christian (23-3). Even with a loss to St. Michael's, the Huskies were going to be No. 1. They are undefeated against AAA teams and with the rest of the class feasting upon itself, the gap between 1 and 2 is far. So book them in this spot on Sunday.
And for the rest ...
This is the circular logic here. St. Michael's almost beat Hope, but they lost to Taos, who lost twice to Robertson, who lost to Socorro, who lost to Silver, who lost to West Las Vegas, who lost to Wingate, who lost to ... Yes, you guessed it, the Horsemen. So who goes where? well, I've talked about finishing strong being a good indicator, and the team finishing best is ...
2. Las Vegas Robertson (19-6). The Cardinals went undefeated in district play, and beat Taos twice in the process. They are on a 12-game winning streak - although four of those wins are against AA schools Tucumcari twice, Mora and Santa Rosa - and are the the hottest team outside of Hope. Because everyone else was busy losing their graps on his spot, Robertson quietly moved up.
3. Wingate (24-2). The Bears are in a one-game playoff with Shiprock, and the significance of that is that a win will solidify this spot. A loss could drop them a couple of spots. They rebounded well after the loss to Shiprock, but they need to show they can beat the Chieftains.
4. Socorro (16-8). The Warriors did their part by beating Silver in a one-game playoff Monday. They have a chance to move up with a Wingate loss tonight.
5. Taos (16-8). The Tigers went 7-2 over their final nine games, with wins over St. Michael's and Portales and two close losses to the Cardinals. That win over St. Michael's is key because ... .
6. St. Michael's (16-10). Everything was going fine until that loss to Pojoaque Valley, which started a 2-4 slide to end the year. If finishing strong is key to a high seed, a weak one can do the opposite. Welcome to Exhibit A.
7. Portales (16-8). The Rams dropped like a rock with a double-digit loss to Lovington. They are 6-3 against AAA competition, and finished 8-2 over the last 10 games of the season. Close losses to Taos and Robertson also help, but that loss to Lovington ... Yikes!
8. Sandia Prep (17-9). The Sundevils came into the district season as the likely challenger to Hope Christian in AAA, but they learned a thing or two about playing against former 2AAA schools St. Michael's, Pojoaque Valley and SFIS. They staggered to third place, unable to beat either the Huskies or the Horsemen.
9. Silver (14-11). The Colts are trending upward in the seedings because they are 9-3 over the last 12 games. Even with the loss to Socorro in the playoff game, they won't drop. In fact, they are a team that might be static as far as movement from here on out.
10. Shiprock (14-13). The Chieftains are 10-2 after a 4-11 start, and that includes a win over the Bears, which helped improve their resume. Another win could move them to a nine, but the top eight have done too much for Shiprock to move up any further.
11. Lovington (13-11). Their 3-1 mark in the district accounts for all of the Wildcats' AAA games. The win over Portales was huge, as was the November win over Goddard.
12. Pojoaque Valley (13-12). The Elks couldn't get much mileage out of finally beating the Horsemen. That is coupled with a 2-6 5AAA mark and a loss to a fast-fading SFIS.
13. Ruidoso (10-14). The Warriors might be 0-3 in 4AAA, but they are 3-3 against the rest of the class, with a win over ...
14. Hatch Valley (11-14). Of course, the Tigers have a win over Ruidoso, but they were 1-2 against the 4AAA team. They were 5-5 vs. the rest of AAAA, but no other impressive wins.
15. SFIS (9-14). The Braves are in, based on a split with Robertson. But that 1-10 finish and a 3-9 mark against AAA is bad. VERY bad.
16. Zuni (10-12). The Thunderbirds are in by virtue of a 6-8 record against AAA compettition and a 5-5 mark in 1AAA. But they haven't beaten any one of significance. They're just better than the rest.
Outside looking in:
Crownpoint (9-12). The Eagles have a nondistrict win over Zuni, but lost to them in 1AAA play. They are 4-7 in AAA overall, but they beat Class A Ramah twice, split with AA Laguna Acoma, and beat AA Cuba and Newcomb. Yeah, that'll impress the committee.
Raton (7-16). The Tigers have beaten one AAA team - West Las Vegas.
West Las Vegas (5-19). The Dons have two wins and a split over Raton. Enough said.
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