March 8, 2013

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Publisher

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Today Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com provides his New Mexico High School Basketball Round One Preview for the girls side. Saturday, March 9th we'll have our Boy's Round One Preview. Remember you can follow all the scores, updates, tournament brackets, and the NMPreps.com All-Tournamnet Teams by simply staying locked onto NMPreps.com during the entire State Basketball Tournament. Sign Up With Our Special March Madness Offer

Class 5A First Round Preview

#16 Alamogordo 14-13 @ #1 Clovis 21-3
The Clovis Wildcats, the clear favorite to win the 5A State Championship has to be on point Friday Night. Alamogordo obviously does not have the talent to run with the Wildcats, however Alamogordo is battle tested from playing in a very competitive district. Watch for Clovis Super Sophomore Danni Williams and Nikkie Cordova to lead the way. Clovis by 15+

#9 Las Cruces 20-9 @ #8 Valley 20-5
The Lady Bulldawgs have to be entering this game with a chip on their shoulder earning 20 hard fought wins on the season only to land an Albuquerque first round road trip against Valley. Las Cruces' talent comes from their depth of guard play and Senior Leader Amber Fratzola. Valley is well coached, ran through their district and is led by Jordan Gutierrez. This game could go either way. I'll go with Las Cruces by a close 5-7 points

#12 Carlsbad 12-15 @ #5 La Cueva 23-4
Gone is Washington State Commit Taylor Edmondson for Carlsbad and they've suffered from her absence this year going three games under .500. They have a tough first round road trip against a team that is on fire late in the season. The Lady Bears have won 23-games and yet the talk of the girls state favorites remains Hobbs and Clovis. La Cueva has one of the best guards in New Mexico in Sophomore Alexa Romano and watch for Seniors like Shayla Malecko and Symone Green to contribute. La Cueva wins this game by 10+

#13 Gadsden 13-13 @ #4 Hobbs 23-6
Gadsden went .500 this season winning some marquee games down the stretch. The Lady Panthers enter the tournament with some good momentum, however they a long-shot to beat Hobbs at Tasker Friday Night. The Lady Eagles during the mid-season were playing their best basketball, but we saw that taper off late in the year with them losing to some solid teams down the stretch. This team has the talent to run the tables and if they limit offensive turn-overs, Hobbs rolls in the opening rounds. Watch for Mackenzie Latimer and Danielle Patterson as one of New Mexico's best unknown duo's.

#11 Sandia 15-11 @ #6 Volcano Vista 18-7
Two of New Mexico's best women coaches going head to head in the opening round makes this the marquee women's game of round one. Sandia Head Coach Susan Kubala has the Matadors at 15 wins led by Astrea Reed. Volcano Vista led by Head Coach Lisa Villareal aka the has one of the best Juniors in New Mexico in Hannah Fenske. Two reasons, Volcano Vista has the edge: One is experience having won the 2012 5A State Championship and two: they are playing at Volcano Vista. Tough game to pick, but I'll go with Volcano Vista anticipating a tight game throughout.

#14 Onate 13-15 @ #3 Cibola 21-3
While I have respect for District 3-5A, Cibola has enough inside game to beat anyone in the tournament. Head Cibola Coach Lori Mabrey's group has played solid all season long and besides having a great season resume they have impact players such as Kasandra Harris and Kim Chapman, two who are going to create match up problems for not only Onate, but for any opposing defense moving forward in the tournament. Cibola rolls past Onate with a big opening round statement.

#10 Rio Rancho 12-16 @ #7 Eldorado 17-10
The Lady Rams are not going down without a fight and while they are going to have trouble with Eldorado's size inside they have a guard by the name of Ally Salata who can certainly light up the scoreboard. The Eagles have battled La Cueva and Sandia as of late in some thrilling games, recently they lost to 23 win La Cueva by just two points. Eldorado also has an impressive 2013 win over Hobbs. Watch for Kerstin Strong to make a big presence inside the post Friday Night.

#15 Cleveand 9-17 @ #2 Mayfield 24-2
The Lady Trojans earned the number two seed rightfully so. While this team did drop two our of three to Hobbs this season, they played fantastic down the stretch of the season. Mayfield is led by NMPreps.com's Top 10 Seniors in Daeshi McCants. Expecting the Lady Trojans to have no issues advancing into the quarterfinals.

Class 4A First Round Preview

#16 Goddard 11-16 @ #1 Los Lunas 24-4
While you might want to easily add Los Lunas into the second round of your mock tournament bracket, know that Goddard is playing much better than an 11-16 team entering the tournament. Goddard Senior Abbie Blach vs. Los Lunas Junior Tiege Zeller is a marquee match up down low. Los Lunas has a great women's following and the Tiger Pit is going to be roaring Friday Night. This game could be closer than the seedings predict. Los Lunas pulls away late.

#9 Los Alamos 16-12 @ # 8 Deming 17-9
Two teams meet up in the first round that no one has really talked about all season long. Los Alamos has talent, remember they did beat #5 seed Espanola Valley during the later part of the district season. Deming earned a first round home game with an impressive 17 win season. Don't know too much about either team, which one will make an opening tournament round statement?

#12 Grants 13-14 @ #5 Espanola Valley 23-5
Teams from District 6-4A are going to be tough first round draws because they are simply battle tested from the amount of talent within the district. Grant's 13-14 record is deceiving and they'll play more like an 18 win team come tip off. The good news for Espanola Valley is that they are playing some of their best basketball of the season. They just beat district rival Santa Fe in the district 2-4A tournament game by 20. Watch for Lauren Quintana of Espanola and Freshmen Ashlyn Trujillo.

#13 Miyamura 13-15 @ #4 St. Pius X 18-8
Last year we witnessed Miyamura create some first round noise with a monster win in Espanola. This year, they'll aim to again be Cinderella traveling to play a very disciplined St. Pius X team. While the Sartans won nearly 20 games this season, their quality of district competition could be their down fall.

#11 Academy 13-15 @ #6 Valencia 19-8
Academy is as good as their record. No pretending here, this team has struggled this year and traveling to Valencia is a tough draw for them. Valencia, a team that battled in district to be the regular season district runner up over Gallup does not have the talent they had last year, but they are still capable of an Elite Eight Run. Eight Grader for Valencia Lorien Argon has contributed this year and watch for Junior's Brenda Baeza, Karina Dow, along with Miranda Chavez.

#14 Kirtland Central 12-15 @ #3 Santa Fe 23-3
The Lady Broncos are one of the more storied women's basketball program's in New Mexico and despite their slow season start, they managed to win District 1-4A, simply coming through when it mattered most. They have won six games in a row and if you want to pick a first round upset, this could be one to watch. Santa Fe's talent has been questioned all season long and all they have done is win, nuff said right? Led by Sophomore Sabrina Lozada Cabbage, Santa Fe is no joke and they'll be ready for whatever Kirtland throws at them. Tight game expected, but still like Santa Fe's final four chances.

#10 Artesia 17-12 @ #7 Gallup 21-7
We might of picked Artesia to pull off a first round upset over anyone besides Gallup. Really, making the long drive from Artesia to Gallup will beat you alone, but in all seriousness Gallup is peaking at the right time and when Lady Bengal Basketball gets going it's like Artesia Football. Gallup might of dropped some questionable district games, but they'll be ready to ready to make an opening round statement.

#15 Piedra Vista 14 @ #2 Roswell 20-7
The reason it's tough to pick against 4A Southern New Mexico teams is they play surrounding 5A programs as 4A programs within the region are tough to come by. Roswell has played well all season long, has no bad losses, and has the coaching experience to win the whole tournament.

Class 3A First Round Quick Hits

#1 Hope Christian is the clear team to beat and they have proven that with quality wins over Santa Fe Indian School and proved their statewide talent with a win over Hobbs late in the season. #8 Robertson and #9 Socorro is a tough game to pick, but the Lady Cardinals have played in a good district which should help them move into the quarterfinals. #5 Taos and #4 Shiprock should have no opening round issues advancing.

Shiprock is a team that has final four talent having won 22 gamest this year. On the lower half of the bracket, I really like the Lovington Wildcats. They have a tough road to the title game, but it's not impossible. They need not to overlook Raton or they could be one and done. Santa Fe Indian should dominate in the fist two rounds. Looking ahead, not many teams match up well with either Hope Christian or Santa Fe Indian. Looks like those two could meet for a fourth time in the title game.

Class 2A First Round Quick Hits

The top side of this bracket is loaded. While Laguna Acoma landed up with the number one seed. Tularosa and Mora are also teams with high caliber talent. Do not see many top side upsets taking place in round one. Laguna is 24-3, Mora is 25-2, and Tularosa is 21-5. On the bottom side of the bracket, Navajo Pine at 23-4 should get past Santa Fe Prep with ease and Texico at 19-7 should have no issues with Ramah.

Class 1A First Round Quick Hits

Overall the number one and number two seeds in 1A are as good as they've ever been. Tatum is 25-1 this year, Cliff shares that record as the number two seeded team. Logan and along with Dora are teams that could play spoiler, but as mentioned the top teams in 1A are very superior.