AAAA update

Obviously, tonight's Española-Los Alamos game will go far in shaping the seeds, but I figured to get this out of the way before the week gets too hectic.


1. Española Valley (21-4). The task is simple for the Sundevils: They must beat Los Alamos tonight to have a shot at the No. 1 seed, both in District 2AAAA and overall. If the Hilltoppers win, they will hold a one-game District 2AAAA edge over Española (6-1 to 5-2). More important, they will have a sweep in the head-to-head matchup. If that happens, the Sundevils might be lucky to earn a Top-4 seed, even if their resume suggests they should.
2. Roswell (18-6). The Coyotes should wear green-and-gold tonight. The loss to Clovis should not have an effect on the Coyotes' seeding. They still have better wins than Deming, and they escaped any trouble by beating Roswell Goddard in 4AAAA play on Tuesday. All that's left is a win over Artesia, and they will be in line for a one or a two.
3. Deming (19-6). The Wildcats are sitting at No. 3, but don't think it is a comfortable position. A 77-56 win over Chaparral on Tuesday made it 14 in a row, and Santa Teresa beat Silver, so that clinched the top seed in 3AAAA They could move up, but behind them lurks ...
4. St. Pius X (17-7). The Sartans have two challenging 6AAAA games ahead - at an improving Volcano Vista and at Belen. They still are a game up on the Eagles, so Saturday's game will be essential in the Sartans being able to at least hold their position.
5. Artesia (18-7). The Bulldogs beat Goddard on Feb. 13, setting up a one-game shootout with the Coyotes to force a playoff. Artesia needs a win, if only to keep up with the rest of the state. A loss likely moves the Bulldogs into 7-9 territory.
6. Los Alamos (17-7). The Hilltoppers are on the cusp of moving into the Top 4, as cited in the Española explanation. They are in control of their own destiny, and wins over the Sundevils and Capital would move that into a good position. It's starting to look like 2AAAA is the toughest in the state this season.
7. Belen (15-10). The Eagles struck out against the Sartans last week, but rebounded with wins over Volcano Vista and Grants. That locked up the second seed in 6AAAA. They stay static in the seedings, but beware the Spartans of Bernalillo and ....
8. Albuquerque Academy (6-19). The Chargers pulled off a big win over La Cueva on Valentine's Day, proving that they are Top-8 material. But any upsets in 5AAAA will wipe away all work toward restoring their credibility.
9. Bernalillo (14-10). The Spartans did not look good against the Hilltoppers on Friday (70-48) and that dropped them a notch after Academy's success. They can respond in kind on Saturday against Española and perhaps leapfrog Belen as well.
10. Farmington (9-12). The Scorpions continue to roll right along in the worst district (1AAAA) in the class. They have a chance to avenge their only district loss against Aztec on Thursday, not that it will do anything for their seeding. They can only go in one direction, and that is down.
11. Grants (16-8). Another week of futility against St. Pius and Belen leads to this question: Do the Pirates deserve to stay at No. 11? But then you look at the team below them and wonder, "Do they deserve to move up?"
12. Capital (14-11). So the Jaguars beat Taos sans its entire coaching staff. Big whoop. They had to rally from a nine-point deficit to do it. Which means their first round district tournament rematch with the Tigers - and against nemesis James Branch - could be really interesting. Interesting meaning bad in this instance.
13. Silver (12-13). Don't look now, Colts. The Panthers of Piedra Vista are closing in, especially after a 45-36 loss to Santa Teresa on Tuesday. Bad timing on your part could be made worse if Deming blasts you like it did on Feb. 10 (69-42).
14. Piedra Vista (11-14). Things are looking up for the Panthers. If they can cap 1AAAA play with a win over Shiprock to solidify second in the district, it might be impressive enough to move up a notch. Don't ask what happens if the alternative happens. Here's a hint: Don't lose by more than one point. Or else.
15. Shiprock (12-10). A lot could have been gained with a win over Farmington. But a 43-35 loss means nothing is lost. The scenario repeats itself when Piedra Vista rolls into town on Saturday.
16. Goddard (10-15). Goddard put on a good show in a 47-37 loss to Roswell, but is a five-game losing streak (which likely will become six after the 4AAAA tourney) worthy of a bid? Well, Del Norte is making an argument to replace you. It will get stronger if it beats Moriarty on Friday.
All I have to say in your defense is: Go Pintos!