October 24, 2012

Joshua J. Grine
NMPreps.com Basketball Analyst

Welcome to the start of 60 Days of Hoops by NMPreps.com. The official tip-off date for the 2012-2013 season is November 5th and we will bring you, our faithful members, the non-stop preview of every team, complete rankings for the entire state and each classification. We will also bring you, can't beat, features like 2013 Mr. Basketball candidates, Preseason All-State, and full District Previews.

NMPreps.com is an unbiased, unaffiliated New Mexico High School basketball website bringing you the most in-depth coverage year-round like never before in our state.NMPreps.com has brought you breaking news to stories that may fly well under the newspapers or local stations. This summer was jammed packed with One-on-One Interviews, Coaching Carousel and much more news.

Pre-Season Top 25 Rankings

	#25 Gallup Bengals: The Bengals program is one that surprises me each season as they are consistently good and finish in the top tier year after year. Just when it seems like they could take a step back they come back better than the season before. No question about it that the Bengals will hurt losing next level player Nick August and will have huge shoes to fill. However, I like the returning trio of Kinsel, Martinez and Spencer. Combined the three could create a serious contender and make another run at things. I like the Bengals to battle for their third straight District 6-4A title but it will be a battle with an improved Los Lunas Tigers and Belen Eagles program. Bengal Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#24 Highland Hornets: Head coach Danny Brown has done wonders for the Highland Hornets basketball program since arriving ten years ago and does an excellent job, but this could be a challenging season. On-top of starting the season with five Top 25 teams, the Hornets could go, 0-5, before heading to the extremely difficult Hobbs Holiday Tournament. I like this program and they have talented kids but they lack height and with only two Top 100 Players Hornets Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#23 West Mesa Mustangs: Known for being loaded with guards galore, the 2012-2013 Mustangs will have a talented frontcourt returning. The team will have a facelift in the backcourt losing several of it's scoring options to graduation. However, head coach Shonn Schroer is quickly becoming one of the best when it comes to reloading-rebuilding the guard situation. The Mustangs will have to develop some guards to play around it's frontcourt in order to move up Mustang Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#22 Cleveland Storm: Head coach Brian Smith is one of the best when it comes to developing players and is an excellent motivator. The big quest this season is his strength in the frontcourt with back to the basket posts. You remember the last time he had to solid posts was 2010-2011 with PJ Horgan and Josh Todd, that team went to the Final Four. He also has a sophomore guard who will flourish in a Brian Smith program, if he progresses this year, his coming out party, then you can have serious contender for the District 1-5A title and Elite Eight that would return them to the PIT. This team won't look good early this season but after the football players get their legs under them come January you will start seasoning a basketball team. Storm Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#21 Capital Jaguars: The Jaguars have a hard working staff, great fan base and three year talent. What's not to like? I think the Jaguars have been building for this season since 2009-2010. The first time I seen Lopez play he went off for 47 points and completely took over an entire game. I also remember the Capital student section chanting "fresh-man, fresh-man" every time Christian Martinez hit a shot. The Jaguars are ready to make some noise and return not only to the Final Four but the title game. They heard the critics last season and will be well prepared, in-shape and ready to make believers this season, looking back being ranked at #5 will be a distant memory. Jaguar Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here

	#20 Hope Christian Huskies: Yes, the Huskies lose a lot to graduation and members off the three time state Champions but do return three very good players. Also, The huskies are known for the "system" over talent of players. Each year head coach Jim Murphy puts a basketball team dedicated to the system circled around great ball movement and a dominate defense. Look for a common name to run the show for his father on the court in 5'8 point guard Micah Murphy (2013) who is one of the best at the 3A level. Murphy has seen it all with the Husky program and will look to reclaim the title as State Champions. Hope Christian Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#19 St. Michael's Horsemen: Head coach Ron Geyer is regarded as one of the best coaches to ever walk the sidelines in New Mexico and added his sixth state championship to his resume. Geyer loses leadership from former guard Antonio Garcia (2012) but welcomes back a majority of scoring and two key players in the frontcourt. The team will be lead and jump on the back of guard Matt Barela (NMPreps.com Top 100 Player Rankings) who not only excelled last season... St. Michael's Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here
	#18 St. Pius X Sartans: St. Pius X has a dominate backcourt returning that will challenge other top 4A backcourts. Three-year starter, Micah Sanchez will look to lead the Sartans back to the Final Four as he did with a clutch shooting touch in his sophomore campaign two seasons ago. Sanchez a NMPreps.com Top 100 Player will look to improve on his scoring averages this season and bring back that killer instinct he had as a sophomore. Also, back to the starting line-up is Brandon Altamirano. St. Pius X Players to Watch, Season Outlook, Overall Analysis Here