#1 Eldorado vs. #16 Alamogordo
Even though #16 seed Alamogordo enters the tournament playing #1 seed Lady Golden Eagles, Eldorado head coach Michael Huston doesn’t plan to make any adjustments
“Our team has been very balanced all year and that will be a key for us vs. Alamogordo, as well as the rest of the field.”
“Our game plan will not change much for Alamogordo in that we will work to pressure them both offensively and defensively. At this time I have only heard things about them but will be viewing some tape on them hopefully tomorrow night when it arrives. I know that they have 3 excellent players that are similar to kids we have played against at Rio Grande. It should be an interesting test for us mostly because of the unknown but also because they have improved through the year.”
Players to Watch
Kya DeGarmo (E), Madison Lopez (E), Shanae Hilliard (A), Genoveva Rodriguez (A)
Last year
Alamogordo lost to Valley (61-46) in the first round
Eldorado defeated Carlsbad (69-43) and lost to Sandia in the semis (59-46).
#2 Sandia vs #15 Oñate
Both Sandia and Oñate enter unchartered territory when they face each other on Friday evening in at Sandia.
“From what I have gathered together so far – Onate is a very scrappy team that will mix it up on defense – showing both man and zone – full court and half court,” said Sandia head coach, Susan Kubala. Kubala has a watchful eye on several of the player on the Oñate squad, “Their top three players have been playing well as of late – Andrea Reiff their shooting guard, as well as Marissa Valles and Cindy Burciaga.”
Oñate head coach Rick Viramontes has done his homework as well:
“All I really know is that they are a very talented team with an excellent inside-outside game. Their post players are very good and one of these players, Ebony Walker, is going to Texas Tech to play basketball. Their point guard, Elena Vasquez, is an excellent player and good scorer. Their size will definitely create a problem.”
Viramontes also knows Sandia will require a top-notch game from his squad to challenge the Lady Matadors, “We will have to do a better job of blocking out, be patient on offense, and have good shot selection. We will have to play our best game of the season to give ourselves a chance. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished this year and I know we’re going to give it our best shot.”
Players to Watch
Andrea Reiff (O), Cindy Burciaga (O), Ebony Walker (S), Elena Velasquez (S)
Last year
Sandia beat Rio Grande (71-46) and Eldorado (59-46) and lost to Cibola (49-38) in the quarter finals.
Oñate did not earn a seed last year.
#3 Las Cruces vs. #14 Carlsbad
Shaking off a difficult loss to rival Mayfield in the 3-5A district tournament is paramount for the Bulldawgs, and head coach Matt Abney knows his squad can’t take anyone lightly.
“Carlsbad is a much-improved team then when we played them back in November. They are definitely a team on the rise. Coach Zunbrum has done a great job in a short amount of time. They are a young, talented team,” said Abney. “We must take advantage of our playoff experience when they come to LCHS this Friday night.”
Although Las Cruces beat the Cavegirls soundly in November, Carlsbad’s win against Mayfield the previous night should resonate loudly with anyone looking past the young squad.
Players to Watch
Andrea Aragon (LC), Jade Brown (LC), Taylor Edmondson (C), Kali McCormick (C), Shannon Niemier (C)
Key wins
Carlsbad beat Mayfield 51-44 on November 20, 2009.
Last year
Las Cruces lost to Cibola in the first round (51-45)
Carlsbad lost to Eldorado (69-43) in the first round.
#4 Gallup vs. #13 Manzano
Manzano faces the Gallup Bengals, Version 2.0. This group of young ladies puts the run in run and gun.
“I think that with our game against Manzano, the Lady Bengals will have to make it a fast pace up and down game. I don’t think that they can keep up with us for 32 minutes. They are bigger than us, but everyone we play has been bigger than us so that is nothing new,” said head coach Kamau Turner. “We will try to take away their strengths and see if they are versatile in their offense. If we are able to score in the 70′s we will have a great chance to advance to Albuquerque.”
Regarded as one of the toughest places to play, and with the most passionate and loyal set of fans in the state, Turner knows the value of a great fan base.
“I expect a very large crowd of Bengal fans and that can be very intimidating for opposing teams, while energizing our team.”
Players to Watch
Courtney Billy (G), Stacy Charley (G), April Semler (M), Sarah Evans (M), Caroline Lantor (M)
Last year
Gallup beat Mayfield 40-39 in the first round and lost to La Cueva, 50-47, in the semis.
Manzano, the #16 seed, lost in the first round to Rio Rancho, 58-30.
#5 Clovis vs. #12 Cleveland
Considering the age of the program and the experience of their players, Cleveland has done a great job this season. Making it to the district tournament final and now earning a seed in the state tournament, the Storm is furiously living up to its namesake.
Anchored by Antiesha Brown, Clovis has been a steady performer all year.
Players to Watch
Antiesha Brown (Clo), Shanikwa Jackson (Clo), Sara Hattis (Cle), Courtnie Lantham (Cle)
Key wins
Cleveland has already beat Clovis, 51-49 on January 16, 2010.
Clovis beat Mayfield, 63-41, on January 2, 2010.
Last year
Cleveland did not play last year
Clovis beat West Mesa 66-50 in the first round and lost to Cibola (50-52) in the semis.
#6 Cibola vs. #11 Rio Grande
These teams are very similar in that each has depended on a limited number of players to shoulder the load. The main difference beween the two: Cibola lost one of their heavy lifters, Korina Chapman, to a foot injury.
“We are working hard this week and we will have to play our very best basketball in every single game. We lost Korina Chapman two weeks ago to a broken foot and my team has really had to dig in without her,” according to head coach Lori Stephenson.
Like any other team in the same situation, the loss of a big producer is bound to have detrimental effect on self-confidence. Stephenson remains positive and is focused on the task at hand.
“We are capable of making some noise if we show up mentally tough! Obviously we will have to get it done on the defensive end and will really need to have people ready to step up and guard Bernadette Sanchez from Rio Grande in our first game.”
Unfortunately for Cibola, Sanchez is not the only threat. One needs to look no further than Monique Macias to understand the damage she is capable of on both offense and under the basket.
While Sanchez is averaging an amazing 25 PPG, Macias is not far behind with 18.5 PPG; not shabby by any measure. Just as impressive are the 10 rebounds per game she’s pulling down—those statistics are in the neighborhood of Valley’s Kylynn Brown’s and a healthy Korina Chapman. That’s some nice company she’s keeping.
Players to Watch
Bernadette Sanchez (RG), Monique Macias (RG), Elyse Brewster (C), Amber Battle (C)
Key wins
Cibola defeated Gallup, 54-51 on February 10.
Rio Grande beat Manzano 75-35 on January 26
Last year
Cibola defeated Las Cruces (51-45), Clovis (60-52), Sandia (49-38) and lost to La Cueva, 51-43 in the state final.
Rio Grande lost to Sandia, 71-46 in the first round
#7 Valley vs. #10 Hobbs
Valley hosts Hobbs in what should be an entertaining first-round game.
Hobbs’ claim to fame this season is being the only team to defeat juggernaut Eldorado. The Eagles picked up the win with some smart defense, a consistent offense and some good, old-fashion coaching. They’ll need to be almost perfect in execution of their game plan against Valley.
The Vikings are a very well coached team with as balanced attack as any team in the state. Sharpshooter Angel Reyes leads the way for the Vikes, and post Kylnn Brown is the top rebounder in the state.
Key wins
Hobbs: Eldorado on Dec. 28, 2009 at the Las Crucse Hoop-La. 49-47
Valley: La Cueva on Jan. 19, 2010 at La Cueva. 68-61
Players to watch
Angel Reyes (V), Kylynn Brown (V), Jade Burnell (H), Summer Patterson (H)
Last year
Valley beat Alamogordo in the first round, 61-46. Valley lost to Rio Rancho in the quarterfinals.
Hobbs lost in the first round to La Cueva.
#8 La Cueva vs. #9 Mayfield
The defending state champions are set to take on the unpredictable Trojans on Friday in Albuquerque. While La Cueva has struggled lately to find consistency, Mayfield is improving every game.
“We’re playing well now, and it depends on our three categories; if can take care of the ball, especially on the road, make free throws, and not miss too many lay-ups, I think we’ve got a shot.”
With size favoring the Lady Bears both inside and out, look for the smaller Trojans to bring a fast paced game to La Cueva, not unlike the Gallup team. “We don’t match up really well as far as their size, but pretty much the whole season we haven’t matched up as far as the height,” said Maya.
Being undersized, Maya knows the importance of making every shot. “We’re shooting the ball well now. Against Oñate we had eight threes and against Cruces, we hit seven.”
No doubt the Trojans have turned some heads in the state–watch for Mayfield to do damage from beyond the three-point arc (Holguin, Bourger, Hernandez and Hutchinson) to counter the strong inside play of Higgs, Cogan and Kemper.
Players to Watch
Elena Holguin (M), Alina Burger (M), Erica Baca (LC), Tyahnna Higgs (LC)
Key wins
Mayfield beat #2 Las Cruces in the District 3-5A tournament championship game, 44-42.
La Cueva beat #2 Sandia on February 16, 52-51.
Last year
La Cueva won the state championship with wins over Hobbs, Gallup, Rio Rancho and Cibola.
Mayfield lost in the first round against Gallup, 39-40.
Rich,
Great job on all of the 1st round previews. The girls basketball programs in NM are lucky to have somebody like you to give them the exposure that they deserve. Your photos are amazing and your coverage is just as good. It should be a very exciting State Tournament. Thanks again for all of your hard work this season!!