February 27, 2013

Joshua J. Grine
NMPreps.com Basketball Analyst

More: Week Sixteen Scoreboard | NMPreps.com's 2013 Road To The Pit Here

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. We are deep into the District Tournaments.

Wednesday Highlights

Moriarty 44, Albuquerque Academy 42 (OT)

District 5-4A (Semi-Final): Wednesday night in Albuquerque the No. 22 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (15-10) hosted the Moriarty Pintos (17-11).

The Moriarty Pintos led by several key players won on a last second shot during overtime. The Pintos trailed the Chargers throughout the game before using a 9-2 fourth quarter run.

The Pintos move on to play the District 5-4A 1-seed St. Pius X Sartans (No. 2 NMPreps.com Top-25) in the District 5-4A Tournament Championship.

Grine: Quick Rundown

1. Year of the Pintos: The Moriarty Pintos haven't had a winning season since 1983 and haven't been to the State Tournament since 1983. The Pintos accomplished both of those tasks this season and will play for the District 5-4A Tournament Championship also a first. Head coach Mike Mondragon is up for 4A Coach of the Year.

2. Seeds on my mind: The Pintos likely move up in the seeds for the State Tournament with the big win and other teams losing across the state. The seeding committee will meet and layout the 2013 State Tournament this Sunday. The Pintos are in the mix with other teams like Espanola Valley, Capital and Gallup.

3. Albuquerque Academy moving out of the Top-8?: The Chargers seemed to be a lock for the Top-8 seeds for the 2013 State Tournament and could potentially move out with the loss. The Chargers still have a strong resume but need other District Runner-Up's to get upset this week.

Quick Thoughts: Headlines Around NM

Upset: Belen 66, Gallup 63. The Belen Eagles who had been a bubble team for the last few weeks have placed themselves in the LOCK spot for the State Tournament with the big win. Interesting note the Belen Eagles head coach is Patrick Mondragon brother of Moriarty Pintos head coach Mike Mondragon. Both will play for their respected District Championships.

Bubble Pop?: La Cueva 72, Manzano 71. The Bears of La Cueva avoided an upset loss to the Monarchs on Wednesday nights first round game of the District 2-5A Tournament. The Monarchs who are 1-9 in the last 10-games could find themselves on the outside of the State Tournament for the first time in over 6-years.

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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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