Preview of Thursday games and a recap of Wednesday action. We take a look at headlines around the state.
Thursday Preview
Must-See Games: No. 5 Volcano Vista (11-6) at No. 7 Cibola (13-4). District 1-6A race has heated up and features four teams ranked in the top-10 of the NMPreps.com Top-25. Volcano Vista might be one of the hottest teams right now on a 5-game winning streak.
Under-the-Radar Game: No. 12 Valley (10-7) at West Mesa (6-11). A few weeks back and this game wouldn't have been given much thought but a combo of Eloy Medina and Jose Vigil has the Mustangs of West Mesa on the rise. The two helped the Mustangs upset Albuquerque High School earlier this week and are (2-2) in district play. Valley has won 3 of their last 4 and looking to stay behind Atrisco Heritage Academy in the district standings.
One District: No. 25 Kirtland Central (10-7) at Miyamura (9-9); No. 19 Farmington (15-3) at Aztec (5-13); Gallup (7-11) at Bloomfield (9-8). Only three games in 5A basketball on Thursday and they all come from 1-5A. Kirtland Central is our on the rise team as of late as they lead the district, Farmington will look to avoid any other setback against 5-win Aztec and Gallup-Bloomfield will fight for the third spot in the standings race.
Real Deal: Navajo Prep (12-6) at Shiprock (7-11). Shiprock has been the favorite each year in district 1-4A and will look to keep that title away from Navajo Prep who has an impressive record. However, now is when we get to see if they are a legitimate state tournament team. Navajo Prep started the season 8-1 but have since been 4-5 as they have run into some roster adjustments.
Deed to the Seed: Texico (14-5) at Santa Rosa (10-5). Both teams are arguing for the 2-seed at this point in the season. We've heard the statement that Texico is the better team and now we get to witness that bold statement. The matchup is great and could come to the better inside game and Nathan Phipps of Texico is the best in the classification. But I wouldn't bet against the Santa Rosa Lions who are well coached and have a stud of their own in Javante Chavez to have a coming out party as one of the best forwards in the classification.
More to Watch: No. 21 Pecos (16-1) at Desert Academy (10-8). This game is sort of the diamond in the rough as it features two of the top scorers in 3A basketball. Mario Archuleta leads the top-ranked Pecos Panthers against the scoring machine of John Rigatti.
Grine's Starting Five: Anthony Chavez (Valley), Jose Vigil (West Mesa), Mario Archuleta (Pecos), David Cormier (Volcano Vista), Bryson Dowdy (Kirtland Central).
Wednesday Recap
No. 15 Espanola Valley 40, No. 14 Capital 39: Once again we have an ending that comes at the whistle on the final play. Both outcomes feature the Espanola Valley Sundevils winning the game. We all recall the 5A state championship from last season and now the Capital Jaguars have another to add as they fall at home. AZ Salazar with no time on the clock knocked down the FT's to win the game in this one.
Pojoaque Valley 53, St. Michael's 48: The Elks of Pojoaque Valley who are coming off a pair of big wins adds this one to the case with a 5-point win over St. Michael's. The Elks are now in a position to win the district. The difference maker is James Garcia who had a double-double 1ith 15 points and 15 rebounds on the night.
