February 26, 2013

Joshua J. Grine
NMPreps.com Basketball Analyst

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Week Sixteen: We take a look at some headlines from last night. What teams helped their resume and what teams pack it up for the year.

Grine Headliners and More

1. Hats off the SFIS Braves: First-year head coach Zack Cole had a huge task at hand trying to rebuild the Santa Fe Indian Braves basketball program. The cupboard is bare but the team that was once on a 33-game losing streak had a productive season going (6-21, 0-6). Even thought they finished well under .500 and won't make the State Tournament the Braves will be an improved program.

2. Santa Fe Demons burning up: Right now if you want to place a bet on a darkhorse or Cinderella story for March the Demons are looking like you pick. The beat Capital last week to end the regular season and are 2-0 during the District 2-4A Tournament beating Los Alamos in the first round, then taking out Espanola Valley last night in the second round.

3. Another 4A Sleeping Giant: The Moriarty Pintos looked like a team on a mission last night with a huge 63-45 win over the bubble hopeful Del Norte Knights. The game was a District 5-4A first round game.

Who's In, Who's Out, Who's Moving Up

MOVING UP (Better Seed): The Cibola Cougars beat Volcano Vista on Tuesday night for the District 1-5A regular season championship. The Cougars will move up but a lot will depend on other teams.

BUBBLE IN: Santa Fe Demons. Without any doubt or question the Demons have punched their ticket to the state tournament.

BUBBLE OUT: Del Norte Knights. The Knights lost by 18-points last night ending their season. The Knights are a team that I say is one year away from making it back to the tournament. They have a solid returnee in Christopher Wright.

MOVING DOWN (Better Seed): Moriarty Pintos. The Pintos had a convincing win over Del Norte and the team will only benefit from the win and will try to sneak into the Top-10 seeds.

MOVING DOWN (Worse Seed): Tucumcari had been a team looking for a quality seed in March have hurt their chances with a 46-41 loss to Clayton during the District Tournament.

BUBBLE BETTER CHANCES: It took three overtimes but the Centennial Hawks won their first District Tournament game beating the Chaparral Lobos, 48-43. The Hawks will move on to play the Deming Wildcats.

GRINE: WEEK 16 ROAD TO THE PIT: Please check NMPreps.com out tomorrow and we will give an updated look at who we fill makes the field of 16 for each classification.

Tuesday Scores

Centennial 48, Chaparral 43 (3-OT)
Cibola 48, Volcano Vista 47
Clayton 46, Tucumcari 41
Gadsden 38, Onate 36 (2-OT)
Moriarty 63, Del Norte 45
Portales 57, Lovington 48
Rio Rancho 80, Cleveland 77
Sandia Prep 58, Santa Fe Indian 43
Santa Fe 64, Espanola Valley 63 (OT)

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Joshua J. Grine joined NMPreps.com before the 2010 basketball season as our Senior Basketball Analyst. Grine is a former coach (Valencia, Rio Rancho) and basketball player (Grants, Rio Rancho) who has been around New Mexico for several years.

E-Mail: grinejosh@yahoo.com
Twitter: Twitter Here.

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