Preseason Watch List: 5A District 1, Seniors to Watch

<p>As we get closer to the start of the season I want to give a preview of what I expect to happen during this year. My Preseason Watch List will go district by district highlighting players, teams, and games to watch when the season kicks off.</p> <p>District 1 is known to be the best district in the state producing numerous of champions and final four contenders in the past 5 years, and I expect that to continue. Here are the players in the Class of 2021 (Seniors) to watch this season.</p> <p>CG [player_tooltip player_id="1076626" first="Isaiah" last="Brooks"], Atrisco Heritage: Brooks is a flat out scoring machine! His shots have been limited due to having a 20 point scorer in Joziah Ramos the past two seasons, but still managed to score 12 points (season high 24 points), and should score his 1000th point this season. He is a decent playmaker who average 2 assists per game last season, and will need to contribute more on the defensive end. </p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="1076622" first="Evan" last="Gonzales"], Cleveland: Cleveland has a knack for producing high quality point guards, like Ryan Jones and Aamer Muhammed, that make it to the college level. Evan is next in line, he averaged 9 points, and 2 assists per game last season and has gain a lot of muscle which has drawn the attention of a few division 1 schools. He is a very good shooter both off the catch and dribble, and has the strength to get to the lane and nice touch on his floaters. He is a solid playmaker that keeps it simple, runs the offense, and finds the open man.</p> <p>SF [player_tooltip player_id="1076623" first="Nathan" last="Hasberry"], Cleveland: Nate was arguably the most improved player in the state last season turning himself into a legit wing prospect that can play the 2 or 3 spot. He has improved his ball skills, and shooting to the point that he is a legitimate threat from beyond the arc, and can be a teams primary or secondary playmaker. Averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals per game last season, and was selected to the All-Metro 2nd Team, he should score his 1000th point this season on a quest to finally win a state title.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1076624" first="Junior" last="Hodnett"], Rio Rancho: The Eastern New Mexico University commit averaged 10 points per game on a deep Rio Rancho team last season, and will be the go to guy this season. He stands at about 6’2, and is a division 1 shooter with range well beyond the arc, a knock down shooter off the catch, and has improved his on ball skills which should help make him more potent of a scorer. Solid defender, was selected to All-Metro 3rd Team last year.</p> <p>SF [player_tooltip player_id="1076631" first="Christian" last="Lucero"], Rio Rancho: Lucero burst onto the scene last year with averages of 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game. He wasn’t a consistent starter, but gave the Rams very consistent play as a secondary playmaker and scorer which earned him an All-Metro Honorable Mention selection. This season he will be expect to contribute at a higher rate at around 6’3 he is a big guard that can play small forward, and if he steps up as expected Rio Rancho will be a team to watch this season.</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="1076639" first="Vance" last="Rudolf"], Rio Rancho: A point guard that works hard on the defensive ends, runs the offense, and knocks down open threes is what every college coach loves. Rudolph is just that, he averaged 7 points,  3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal per game, but is a bit undersized at 5’8 and his recruitment is lacking due to that. He will jump onto some of the local schools radar this season though, and will take over as lead guard for the Rams.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="1076621" first="Tre" last="Watson"], Cleveland: Watson is the best dual sport athlete in the state. He has committed to play football at Fresno State University, and is also the number one ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 in the state. After averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block per game, and leading his team to another Final Four appearance, he was selected to the All-State 1st Team as a Junior! One of the few kids at his size with the ability to take any defender off the dribble, dominate the post, and defend all five positions, we all know Tre will continue to dominate the district, and state. The question is how dominate will he be?</p>