Highlights: APS Metro Championships

Valley vs. Manzano

Cibola vs Atrisco/Eldorado vs. Highland

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TOP 25 SCOREBOARD

Top-25 Rankings

Tuesday, Jan. 8th

No. 1 La Cueva 71
West Mesa 55

No. 2 Eldorado 73
Highland 61

No. 3 Albuquerque 64
Del Norte 54

No. 4 Valley 62
No. 17 Manzano 61

No. 6 Roswell 83
No. 19 Carlsbad 58

No. 8 Volcano Vista 80
No. 18 Hope Christian 72

No. 9 Las Cruces 85
Cathedral (TX) 52

No. 10 Sandia 60
Cleveland 49

No. 12 Rio Rancho 51
Rio Grande 52

No. 12 Atrisco Heritage 67
No. 13 Cibola 48

No. 12 Rio Rancho 51
Rio Grande 52

No. 21 Alamogordo 57
Goddard 54

No. 22 Santa Fe 52
Moriarty 53

Text Scores: (505) 414-4313

Grine Lessons Learned

1. No. 13 Cibola is slumping bad: Okay, so I did pick the No. 12 Atrisco Jaguars to win but it was a beating from the start in this one. The Cougars could be on the verge of falling out of the Top-25 for the first time in it's history. For some reason I'm liking the (0-9) Hornets of Highland tomorrow and I'm serious with that pick. Seat getting hot.

2. The Ravens of Rio Grande answer my call out: I said the Ravens started the season well below my expectations and they answered the call by beating the No. 11 ranked team in New Mexico - Rio Rancho - in the first round of the APS Metro Championships.

3. 3A sleeper comes in silver as in Silver Colts: The Colts are on the dark horse rise in 3A and beat 4A basketball team Chaparral on Tuesday night. With 3A up for grabs this season could they be Final Four worthy? I couldn't see why not, especially with District 3-3A being so down.

Prime Time Players

TJ Jones, Alamogordo: 17 points
Mahlik Sims, Albuquerque High: 26 points, 6 assists
Marcus Mitchell, Albuquerque High: 13 points
James Croasdell, Albuquerque High: 8 points, 15 rebouns, 9 blocks, 4 assists
Bobby Montoya, Albuquerque High: 11 points, 8 rebounds
John Cotton, Espanola Valley: 18 points
JJ Dennis, Onate: 15 points, 11 rebounds.

Nominate: Players of the Week

Box Score Recps

No. 3 Albuquerque 64, Del Norte 54: The first round of the APS Metro Championships kicked off and the No. 3 Albuquerque High Bulldogs (8-1) came out with a nice ten point win in the opening round over Del Norte. The Bulldogs were led by NMPreps.com 2013 Mr. Basketball Candidate Mahlik Sims who finished with 26 points and 6 assists on the night. James Croasdell had a big game with 8 points, 15 rebouns, 9 blocks, and 4 assists. Also, keep an eye out for transfer Marcus Mitchell who had 13 points.

Aztec 96, Bloomfield 90: In a shoot-out in the Northwest corner former District opponents Aztec and Bloomfield shot it out in a Tigers win. The Aztec Tigers were led by their outside shooting spree, hitting three after three.

Onate 51, Tornillo (TX) 39: The Onate Knights (7-8) needed a win on Tuesday night and got a big one over Tornillo (TX). The Knights were led by senior guard JJ Dennis who finished the night with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Issac Merry and Isaiah Blanco both pitched in 10 points a piece in the win.

Alamogordo 57, Goddard 54: The Alamogordo Tigers and the Goddard Rockets faced off in Roswell on Tuesday night and it would be the Alamogordo Tigers who came out with the win. Following the win the Tigers improved to 9-4 and have a solid win over a tough 4A opponent in the Rockets. Leading the way for the Tigers on the night was T.J. Jones who had a team high 17 points and Tyler Day who had 12 points. The Tigers will prepare to take on the Hobbs Eagles for their next match up.

Aztec 96, Bloomfield 90: The Aztec Tigers and the Bloomfield Bobcats did battle on Tuesday night in a high scoring affair that would almost accumulate in 200 total points being scored. The Tigers would come away with a victory and improve to 4-5 and grab a much needed win over rival Bloomfield. Eli King led the way for the Tigers with a cool 20 points and Jaime Lopez had 11 points to help out the Tigers cause. The Tigers will rest for a couple of days in preparation for their next tournament.

Moriarty 53, Santa Fe 52 The Moriarty Pintos took on the Santa Fe High Demons on Tuesday night and the Pintos were able to come away with a huge victory over a quality opponent in the Demons. The Pintos were able to come away with the victory thanks to a shooting advantage at the free-throw line. The Demons would drop to 6-7 on the year and the Pintos would improve to 10-5 on the year and would be led to victory by Freshman Jake Flaming who had 16 points and Luke Thomas who chipped in with 11 points. The Demons were lead offensively on the night by Elliot Nicholas who had a game high 26 points.

Espanola Valley 67, Taos 65 The Espanola Valley Sundevils took on the Taos Tigers o Tuesday Night and it was the Sundevils who would come away with the hard fought victory. The Tigers would drop to 9-6 on the season but playing the Sundevils tight will guarantee some good gained experience for the Tigers program. The Sundevils would lead 35-31 at the half and would close out the win behind John Cotton who had a team high 18 points, and also helping out was Nathan cordova who had 13 points. Leading the way for Taos despite the loss was Estevan Garcia who had a game high 26 points.

Santa Fe Prep 73, McCurdy 47 The Santa Fe Prep Blue Griffins would tip off against the Bobcats on Tuesday night and it was the Blue Griffins who would walk away with the victory after leading 39-15 at the half and improve to 10-2 on the year. The Bobcats would fall to 7-6 but remain just above 500. on the year. Leading the way for Santa Fe Prep was Diego Perea who had 16 and Tex Ritter who had 15 of his own.

Valley 62, Manzano 61: The Valley Viking and the Manzano Monarchs proved on Tuesday night and would put on a show for the crowd in attendance. The Manzano Monarch would lead at the half "Big Mo" would be on the Monarchs side. However it was Coach Coleman and the the VIkings second half adjustments who would steal the show when all was said and done after Adonis Saltes would come through in the clutch to help give the Vikings the lead. The Game was won in the final moments and was a preview to the great games we have in store for us throughout the Metro Tournament. Leading the way for the Vikings was Adonis Saltes, Joe Anaya and Robert Armijo.

Roswell 83, Carlsbad 58 : The Roswell Coyotes would face off against the Carlsbad Cavemen on Tuesday night and it was the Coyotes who would come away with the lopsided victory. The Coyotes would lead the entire game and although the 3rd period be the most balanced period in terms of momentum. The Coyotes improve to 12-0 and remain undefeated under the direction of coach Cooper. Leading the ay for the Coyotes was Junior Guard Cesar Nava and underclassman Alex Olisinsky.

Girls Basketball Recaps:

Tularosa 76, Hot Springs 27: The Tularosa Lady Wildcats took on Hot Springs on Tuesday night and Tularosa would be on the victorious end of a lopsided victory on the night as they improve to 10-5 on the season. The Lady Wildcats used home court to their advantage as they were able to run away with the win. Leading the way for Tularosa was freshman Avanna Garcia who had 22 points, and sophomore Kyanne Kowatch also had 14 points.

Piedra Vista 53, Navajo Prep 31: The Piedra Vista Lady Panthers took on Navajo Prep on Tuesday night and on the road it was the lady Panthers who came away with the win. The Panthers improve to 8-7 on the year following the win. Piedra Vista was able to come away with the win thanks to a total team effort. Leading the way for the lady Panthers was Kaleigh Graham who had a team high 13 points. Leading the way for Navaho prep was Delta Higdon with a team high 12 points.

St. Michael's 57, Robertson 48: The St. Michael's Lady Horseman tipped off against the Robertson lady Cardinals on Tuesday and spectators would witness the Lady Horsemen improve to 6-9 on the year. Leading the way for the Lady Horsemen was Christina Gabaldon who had a game fish 14 points.

Volcano Vista 63, West Mesa 40: The Volcano Vista Lady Hawks would improve to 6-1 on the year following the win as they breezed past the West Mesa lady mustangs. Leading the way for the Lady Mustangs was Ray Davison who had a team high 16 points. The Lady Hawks would take improve to 6-1 on the season and will face off against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs. Leading the way for the Hawks was Bianca Perez who had 19 points and also helping out was Ebony Hodge who had 14 points of her own.