For years, Northern New Mexico has been considered a stronghold for small-school basketball. Since 2000, however, power in Class AA teams has been shifting to the southern part of the state. In that time, only one Class AA school in Northern New Mexico (Mora in 2005) has been able to win a boys state championship.
The south’s dominance has continued this season. In the most recent New Mexico High School Coaches Association poll, the top-ranked school in Class AA was Mesilla Valley Christian from Las Cruces. The Son Blazers are 19-0 and have an impressive 50-45 victory over Albuquerque’s Highland High School to their credit. Highland just happens to be the second-ranked school in Class AAAAA. Texico, the defending Class AA state champion, is ranked second.
The highest ranked Northern New Mexico school in Class AA is Coronado in sixth place. Peñasco, in eighth place, is the north’s only other representative in the poll.
Despite the South’s seeming dominance, support for small school basketball is as strong as ever in the North. With the beginning of the district seasons, the excitement will only increase.
Coronado looks to be the favorite in District 2AA. Post Pedro Valdez still isn’t fully recovered from a fractured elbow. Once he regains full strength, the Leopards will be stronger, especially inside. Coronado has a solid starting five that know their roles. Patrick Cordova, who I think could score a lot more than he does, looks for the assist and runs the offense. Johnny Chavez is the team’s best shooter. Jason Velasquez is the team’s best driver, and Josh Jacquez is the defensive stopper.
The Leopards opened district play with Navajo Prep Tuesday. The Eagles are something of a mystery, since their preseason schedule featured different opponents than any of the other members of District 2AA. They are 9-7 overall, and have four wins over Class AAA opponents. This could be the season the Eagles make a move out of the district cellar.
Escalante has height and is strong on the boards with four players 6 feet, 2 inches tall. If the Lobos learn how to handle a defensive press, make more free throws and take care of the ball, they could push Coronado in the race. Veteran coach Milnor Manzanares knows how to get his team ready for districts.
Dulce has just two seniors and a host of inexperienced players that play hard, but are still adjusting to varsity basketbalkl. The Hawks will have to fight to stay out of the district cellar.
Peñasco is the favorite to win District 3AA. Senior post Albert Roybal has been impressive and consistently scores over 20 points per game. The Panthers possess a posse of guards ready to run the floor in typical Northern New Mexico style and have a great coach in Manuel Romero, who won two Class AA state titles (2005 and 1998) at Mora.
I expect some surprises in this district and any of the district’s three other members could upset the Panthers.
It is difficult to evaluate Mesa Vista at this point in the season because of the number of the Trojans’ games that have been cancelled due to winter weather. The Trojans are at their best when they are creating “organized chaos” that coach Thomas Vigil likes. They are at their worst when other teams create chaos against them. Right now, they are capable of putting together big runs against any team but also capable of giving them up.
McCurdy is improving by leaps and bounds as its inexperienced players do their learning on the court. Point guard Ryan Bustos is a dependable double-digit scorer and several players are starting to turn into solid role players for McCurdy. If the Bobcats control the pace of the game and take care of the ball, they are capable of upsetting any team in District 3AA.
Questa pulled off a big victory in Tierra Amarilla Jan. 23, knocking off Escalante 54-53 on the Lobos’ home court. The Wildcats haven’t advanced out of the district tournament since 2004 and if they even smell a chance to advance to postseason play, they may be hard to tame. The Wildcats can be tough to beat at home. Just ask McCurdy, which has seen its season end on Questa’s court the last five seasons.