Yes, may be some of a surprise to people out there but the Bulldogs (10-6, 0-0) who received some votes towards the Top-25 had a above average week.

On Friday, the Bulldogs beat a team that has flirted in and out of the Top-25 in the Moriarty Pintos. Then, on Saturday they got their big win of the season beating the No. 18 Deming Wildcats (14-4). The Wildcats win was huge because they were coming off beating 4A power Roswell High was was undefeated at the time and in week ten ranked 3rd in the entire state of New Mexico.

Clovis Wildcats: The Wildcats have been given their props in the section above but the win over Valley was crucial and will help out come March seeding committee time.

Carlsbad Cavemen: The Cavemen have been questioned several times for their ranking but after the win over another team searching for wins to boost their resume - Alamogordo - the Cavemen pulled out the W.

West Mesa Mustangs: The Mustangs who started the season horribly have reeled off five wins and if it wasn't for the shocking loss to Belen the Mustangs could have been ranked in the Top-25 after two convincing wins over Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Academy.

Laguna-Acoma Hawks: Our small school division team of the week is, once again, the Hawks. Laguna-Acoma traveled up to Pecos last week in a battle of 1 v. 2 and pulled out the big win.

When I sat down to place my votes on the Top-25 I had to erase and rethink several things and still feel like this year is one to remember. I can't wait until March because it truly is going to be a special one.

First, Friday night I was lucky enough to travel up to Pecos, NM to see the Panthers and Hawks square off in a Tournament type atmosphere that just made me fall more in love with the basketball season. Then, after the game I see the scores on my phone of Deming beating Roswell - insane! - and Eldorado just putting up dominating numbers. I can feel the season catching fire and chaos about to take off.

Okay, we all know that I love 50/50 everywhere that I go and yes I never have won. Well, on Friday night the time I should have bought a ticket I didn't. Not because I didn't want too but because I flat out forgot to take my wallet to the game. Anyhow, the reason I wish I would have is because the 50/50 at Pecos High School was somewhere near $2400!! Meaning the guy who won took home $1,200 I believe. Oh I will be ready for the next 50/50.

Miles Traveled: 200

Frito Pies: 0

Book: "Don Meyer: How Lucky You Can Be", By Buster Olney.

Sportswriter of the week:

1. James Barron, santafenewmexican (first class guy always willing to help).

2. John Livingston, Farmington Daily Times (This guy producing great stuff in NW NM.

3. Ron Gonzales, Cibola Beacon (One of the best and now will be full time)

Cullen Neal seemed completely dominate in the Eldorado-Las Cruces game. Neal shot himself back into the top consideration for Mr. Basketball player an award he won as a junior. (Week Eleven Candidates coming this week). Dropping 40-points is truly fantastic but then doing it on a Top-10 team that has been hot lately is another thing.

2. Bryce Alford, La Cueva: The candidate continues to do work for the Bears and dropped 44 points on Friday night over Albuquerque High.

3. DJ Blackmon, Clovis : Blackmon poured in 21-points on Friday night and also helped the Wildcats go 2-0 during the week.

4. Marcus Arrington, Carlsbad:The Cavemen guard helped his team with 17 points beat Top-25 team Alamogordo.

5. Quentin Mullins, Los Lunas: Slightly unknown the forward who is in the NMPreps.com Top 150 Player Rankings pulled off 25-poiunts and hit the game winner over Piedra Vista.

Gallup 75, Piedra Vista Vista 66

The Gallup Bengals went 2-0 over the weekend, first beating Cibola then beating Piedra Vista Saturday Night despite a 23 point effort from Piedra Vista Senior Jacob Armijo. Gallup is now 9-6 on the season.

Las Cruces 56, Volcano Vista 40

The Las Cruces Bulldawgs defeated Volcano Vista on Saturday to go 1-1 over their weekend trip to Albuquerque. On the night, the Bulldawgs were led by Trevor Noel who had 12 along with big efforts from Kai Williams and JT Romeny.

Texico 58, Bosque Prep 53

The Texico Wolverines made a statement Saturday defeated Bosque by five. On the night, the Wolverines were led by Miguel Reyna who scored 27 points. Bosque is now 12-4 on the season, Texico is now 10-3.

Clovis 64, Valley 59

The Clovis Wildcats went 2-0 over the weekend in their trip to the Albuquerque Metro Area beating Valley on Saturday afternoon thanks to big efforts from John Dawson, DJ Blackmon, and Drew Cole. For Valley, their efforts were led by 29 points from Joe Anaya.

St. Pius X 42, Farmington 35

In a tough defensive match up Saturday in Farmington, the St. Pius X Sartans moved to 10-4. Farmington was led by 13 points from Matt Huffhines.

Eldorado 77, Mayfield 47

The Eldorado Eagles buried two teams from Las Cruces this weekend, winning both games by a combined 61 points.

Atrisco Heritage 63, Centennial 36

The Atrisco Heritage Jaguars went 2-0 during their trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico and on Saturday Night they defeated Centennial with ease.

Ft. Sumner 66, Tucumcari 61

The Ft. Sumner Foxes defeated Tucumcari by five Saturday thanks to 27 points from Shilo Boyle.

Manzano 51, Onate 47

The Manzano Monarchs keep winning and earned a big weekend win over Onate Saturday Night thanks to

Santa Fe 63, Valencia 55

The Santa Fe Demons defeated the Valencia Jaguars Saturday to move to 8-9 on the season. The Demons were led by 18 points from Wyatt Honstein and Jordan Booth Homer who scored 15.

Capital 60, Grants 42

The Capital Jaguars now 13-2 on the season beat the Grants Pirates with east Saturday Night. The Jaguars were led by 18 points from Christian Martinez.

Santa Fe Indian 57, Piedra Vista 45

The Santa Fe Indian Lady Braves moved to 16-2 on the night thanks to a big effort from Danille Nelson. Piedra Vista now 9-10 on the season was led by Kaleigh Graham who scored 16 points.

Mayfield 47, Eldorado 45

In a highly anticipated match up Saturday afternoon the Mayfield Trojans made a big statement by beating Eldorado. The play-off type match up is likely to happen again as we move closer to March. On the night Daieshi McCants scored 12 points. Mayfield is now 16-1

Clovis 55, La Cueva 50

The Clovis Wildcats earned a huge victory on Saturday beating La Cueva thanks to another suburb effort from Super Sophomore Danni Williams.

Volcano Vista 59, Las Cruces 48

The Volcano Vista Hawks defeated Las Cruces on Saturday night. For the Hawks, Bianca Perez scored 29 points.

Hope Christian 54, Los Lunas 52

The Hope Christian Huskies earned a huge weekend win defeated Los Lunas by two to win their Hope Christian Tournament. Marisa Perry scored 18 points.

 

 

 

1. Believe me now..contender over dark horse: I was a bit criticized by board members for claiming Deming as a threat. Well I am still 50 percent wrong saying nobody could touch Roswell. Huge win for Deming beating Roswell. Is Deming a Final Four team now? Debate it here

2. Statement win if I've ever seen one: The Eagles totally torched the Bulldawgs last night. Neal climbing back up the Mr. Basketball charts and the Eagles full strength after last weeks dip. Convincing win by the defending champs.

3. Small School Love: I was on hand at Pecos HIgh School last night and this is why people love basketball in New Mexico. The Hawks in full control most of the night will likely slide to number one on Monday morning.

4. Girls: Shiprock the challenger? The Lady Chieftains beat 4A Miyamura last night and have solidified themselves as a 3A title contender. Coach of the year here as well to go along with possible a player of the year.

Cullen Neal, Eldorado: 40 Points

Bryce Alford, La Cueva: 44 points

DJ Blackmon, Clovis: 21 points

Eric Saenz, Deming: 14 points

Anthony Carpio, Laguna-Acoma: 16 points

Pecos, NM: Last night I made the trip up north to see what, trulyis New Mexico High School Basketball. They might not have the D-1 basketball commits or 6'8 players but they have the LOVE for the game but more importantly their team. In a basketball gym tucked away in the trees. Yes, I had to walk several miles to get to the gym because I showed up late - stopping for directions twice - but hey got a free coffee from a guy who actually knew NMPreps. Thanks by the way! Overall a great experience, got to meet one of New Mexico's top writers in James Barron (santafenewmexican) and chat with a great friend and photographer Franklin Romero (cibolabeacon). Oh yeah it was a great game by the way to put icing on the cake.

Deming 58, Roswell 56

The Deming Wildcats upset Roswell High Friday Night to move to 13-3 on the season. Roswell entered the contest 13-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A in the NMPreps.com Class 4A Rankings. On the night, the Deming Wildcats were led by Eric Saenz who had 14 along with his brother Dominic Saenz who scored 13.

Eldorado 94, Las Cruces 63

The Eldorado Eagles made a huge statement Friday Night in Albuquerque moving to 9-3 on the season thanks to a 31 point win over the Las Cruces Bulldawgs, a team which just beat Nationally Ranked Faith Christian out of Texas a few nights back. On the night the Eagles were led by 40 points from Cullen Neal, 12 from Zach Gentry, and 12 from Kane Martinez. Video: Meet New Mexico's Top Dunker Zack Lee

La Cueva 70, Pecos 66

During the 2A dream match up with took place Friday Night in Pecos, New Mexico, the Laguna Acoma Hawks now 14-1 on the season proved that they can win the big game with a four point road win over Pecos. On the night, the Hawks were led by Anthony Caprio had 16 points on the night and Senior Austin Jones also contributed in crunch time. Pecos drops to 12-2 on the season.

La Cueva 81, Albuquerque 79 OT

The La Cueva Bears edged out the Albuquerque Bulldogs Friday Night in an overtime thriller. The Bears now 12-1 on the season were led by New Mexico Lobo Commit Bryce Alford who scored a game high 44 points. The Bulldogs were led by Mahik Sims who scored 27.

Alamogordo 51, Rio Grande 43

The Alamogordo Tigers moved to 11-6 on the season with a big win Friday Night against Rio Grande, On the night, the Tigers were led by J.J. Johnson who would finish with 19 points. Juwan Brooks led scores for the Ravens with 16.

Clovis 68, Cleveland 60

The Clovis Wildcats moved to 10-4 on the season with an eight point road win against Cleveland Friday Night. On the night, the Wildcats were led by DJ Blackmon who scored 21 points and John Dawson who scored 13.

Manzano 45, Centennial 33

The Manzano Monarchs picked up an important road win against Centennial in Las Cruces Friday Night thanks to an impressive performance by Jarrell Harper.

Mayfield 59, Volcano Vista 31

The Mayfield Trojans moved to 15-1 on the season thanks to a big performance from Daeshi McCants who scored 16.

Clovis 66, Valley 39

The Clovis Lady Wildcats rolled to a big win Friday Night over Valley to move to 14-1 on the season. Super Sophomore Danni Williams scored 25 points on the night.

Shiprock 65, Miyamura 58 OT

The Lady Chieftains drafted Miyamura Friday Night in a thriller. On the night, Ashley John scored 25 points to led Shiprock to a very important midseason victory.

Santa Fe Indian 51, Kirtland Central 19

The score at the half was 22-1 in favorite of Santa Fe Indian. The end result was another big win from SFIS to help the Braves move to 15-2 on the season. On the night, Jennifer Willie scored 10.

Joshua J. GrineClick Here to view this Link. 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.