Final: North 98, South 69

ALBUQUERQUE, NM- For many New Mexico basketball players it will be the final time that they tie their laces, put on a jersey and play a basketball game with some significance. The game will feature some of the state of New Mexicos top players from the class of 2012.

2012 ALL-STAR GAME

NORTH ALL-STARS vs. SOUTH ALL-STARS

WHEN: Aug. 2nd, Thursday
WHERE: La Cueva Gym (LCHS), Albuquerque, NM
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
NORTH NEXT LEVEL PLAYERS: Martin Colledge-Romero, (AHS) Guard; James Healy (CHS), Guard Isaiah Rogers, (SHS) Guard
SOUTH NEXT LEVEL PLAYERS: Mando Marshall (LCHS), Wing; Adrian Ortegon (SFHS) Forward; Lane Vander Huslt (GHS) Forward; Nick August (GHS) Guard
COACHES: North head coach, TBA; South head coach, Marty Zeller (Former Grants HC)
WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND: All-Star games typically lack defense and everyone loves scoring so why not attend a contest featuring some of the states top players. Expect a ton of scoring and great play on both ends of the court.
MY PICK: South by 10 points

In fact, the game will feature 9 next level players (7 for basketball) that so far know where they will be playing next season and several that could still find a spot on a college team via walk-on.

One feature player to watch is Mando Marshall, Las Cruces High School who was ranked as the #2 player in New Mexico (NMPreps.com Top 100 Player Rankings). Marshall led the Bulldawgs of Las Cruces High to a No. 1 seed in the 2012 NMAA State Tournament where they reached the Elite Eight. Marshall has committed to play at Otero Junior College in the Fall.

On the south with Marshall is next level player Nick August of Gallup High School who led the Gallup Bengals to the 2012 State Runner-up. August was ranked as the #12 player in the state of New Mexico (NMPreps.com Top 100 Player Rankings. August is also the 2012 4A Player of the Year, he will play for Western New Mexico (Silver City, NM) next season as a true freshman.

Suiting up with and not against August will be the #34 in the NMPreps.com Top 100 Player Rankings Adrian Ortegon of Santa Teresa High School. Ortegon led the Desert Warriors to the 2012 4A State Title in March. Ortegon will play for the University of the Southwest (Hobbs, NM) this fall

The South will feature New Mexico Highlands commit Martin Colledge-Romero (Albuquerque High). Colledge-Romero led the Bulldogs to a No. 2 seed in the 2012 NMAA State Tournament. Playing alongside him is another Otero Junior College commit in James Healy (Cibola High School) who will have to face future teammate Mando Marshall for the last time, as both have signed with Otero JC.

Two other players still on the North All-Star roster as of July 31st is Justin Griego (La Cueva) and Quavshaun Branch (Manzano) who have both committed to play football at the next level.

Coming Fall 2012: In-depth, full break down of all 67 Big School (5A-3A) teams | *New* Small School Top 25

2012 ALL-STAR GAME MATCH-UPS

POINT GUARDS
North: Quavshaun Branch (Manzano), Isaiah Rogers (Sandia).
South: Chase Salazar (Goddard), Austin Montoya (Hobbs).
Skinny: If like projected we have a potential starting match-up between Branch (North) and Salazar (South) it will feature two of the quickest guards in New Mexico. The two players have excellent ball handling skills and love to take players off the dribble. Rogers will be another player that could surprise folks as he was sort of under the radar last season. Montoya is little known but if you seen Hobbs last season you will like his intense game.
Advantage: North with two next level point guards.

SHOOTING GUARDS
North: Martin Colledge-Romero (Albuquerque High), Anthony Santillanes (Valley), James Healy (Cibola).
South: Nick August (Gallup), Erick Shalk (Alamogordo), Orlando Benavente (Mayfield)
Skinny: This could become a shooting frenzy for the both squads who have solid shooting guards from beyond the 3-point line. In fact, they like to stand well behind the line to knock down a three. The South has two three-point specialist that are little known up North in Schalk and Benavente. These two will probably let it rain in this game don't be surprised to see one lead in scoring. Colledge-Romero and Healy are two next level guards that are extremely talented and a joy to watch if you are deciding to head out to the game. One of my personal favorites to watch is August from Gallup who has a high basketball IQ and is well rounded.
Advantage: North

COMBO GUARDS
North: Nick Trujillo (West Mesa), Marcus Mora (Valley), Louie Volk (Academy), Nick Baker (Los Alamos)
South: Weston Zeller (Grants), Mario Garcia (Los Lunas)
Skinny: Nick Trujillo was one of the most underrated guards last season but he did big things for the West Mesa Mustangs. Baker is little known from Los Alamos but is known for almost leading the Hilltoppers to what would have been the biggest upset, as the 16 seed came close to upsetting the number 1 Goddard Rockets. The south has two very talented and next level ready (hint-hint D-2 or JC colleges looking to add a player late) in Weston Zeller and Mario Garcia. Both have well rounded games where they could post you up, take you off the dribble or hit deep range 3's.
Advantage: South

POST PLAYERS
North: Justin Griego (La Cueva), Devon Vallejos (Cibola), Clay Payne (Bloomfield)
South: Mando Marshall (Las Cruces), Aaron Ibarra (Hobbs), Adrian Ortegon (Santa Teresa), Lane Vander Hulst (Goddard), Taylor Gibbs (Mayfield)
Skinny:Hands down the South owns this battle as they feature the #1 senior from 2012 (Marshall), a 25ppg a night post (Aaron Ibarra), next level player (Vander Hulst) and a state champ (Adrian Ortegon) Oh yeah then you throw in double-double player Taylor Gibbs and you have a powerful frontcourt. The North won't go down without a fight though as 6'7 big man Griego is the only true back to the basket big man in the game. Devon Vallejos (Cibola), more of a combo guard played post for Cibola will also benefit from playing the 4 or 5 in this game and just like the regular season could have a monster double-double game.
Advantage: South