Prep Hoops New Mexico Team Preview: Las Cruces High School

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong>: The Las Cruces Bulldawgs have been the gold standard in high school basketball for the past three years. Las Cruces made their third straight 5A State Championship Game appearance last season. On their way to their third straight 5A State Championship game, they went into that game undefeated at 31-0. They were the #1 overall seed after winning their district title and the district tournament championship in 5A-District 3. They defeated #16 Albuquerque in a blowout 84-34 win in the First Round. In the Quarterfinals, they defeated #9 Sandia 74-49 at home. In the Semifinals at "The Pit", the Bulldawgs were tested by #5 Atrisco Heritage and defeated the Jaguars in a narrow 50-45 victory. The teams only loss last season came to #2 Volcano Vista in the 5A State Championship in a 66-55 overtime loss. The teams three-year run led by <strong>Head Coach William Benjamin</strong>, Star players <strong>William "Deuce" Benjamin Jr. </strong>and <strong>Isaiah Carr</strong> was one of the best runs of all-time in New Mexico High School Basketball history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 3</strong>: Alamogordo, Centennial, Deming, Gadsden, Las Cruces, Mayfield and Organ Mountain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Varsity Players: [player_tooltip player_id='1276347' first='David' last='Cruz'], <strong>Suge Valles</strong>, <strong>Joe Koenig</strong>,<strong> Elliot Cisneros</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076709' first='Caleb' last='Carr']</strong> and <strong>Thomas Handley</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Additions:<strong> Bird Nevarez</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Losses: <strong>William "Deuce" Benjamin</strong>,<strong> Isaiah Carr</strong>, <strong>Abraham Mitchell</strong>, <strong>Dustin Hicks</strong>, <strong>Kaden Self</strong>, <strong>Josh Martinez</strong>,<strong> Estevan Francia</strong> and <strong>Timmy Wilkens</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis</strong>: The Las Cruces Bulldawgs will be a new-look roster in the 2022-23 season. This basketball program is coming off three straight trips to the 5A State Championship and a State Title in 2020. The Bulldawgs lost eight seniors to graduation last May; including the two best players in New Mexico, <strong>William "Deuce" Benjamin Jr.</strong> and <strong>Isaiah Carr</strong>. The story of the off-season has been how are they going to replace one of the best duos the state has ever seen. The good news for the Bulldawgs is they still have Head Coach William Benjamin who is heading into his 13th season with this basketball program and was won three State Championships in his tenure. Many around the community are writing off the Bulldawgs but it's not wise to bet against Coach Benjamin and the players he has returning. This team will be led by their starting backcourt that is returning from last season; [player_tooltip player_id='1276347' first='David' last='Cruz'] and <strong>Suge Valles</strong>. They will both be the leaders of the team this year and will have bigger roles this season. <strong>Suge</strong> is the leader of the defense and is a defensive stopper that can run the point guard position well. <strong>David</strong> is one of the best shooters in state and will be their big shot maker late in games. He has been inserted as the team captain this season. <strong>Elliot Cisneros</strong> will be a solid "catch and shoot" player that spaces the floor. <strong>Bird Nevarez</strong> is another point guard that will play off <strong>David</strong> and <strong>Suge</strong> as a sophomore this season. <strong>Joe Koenig</strong> is a player that is all over the court and can finish well around the basket. <strong>Thomas Handley</strong> can play the three or four positions. He is an all-around guy that has length on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1076709' first='Caleb' last='Carr'] will be the big man in the middle replacing his brother from last season. He has gotten stronger, and more agile since last season. He will be a solid rim presence for the Bulldawgs this year. After a recent conversation with Coach William Benjamin, he said "the expectations are to get better every day, compete for district and the state tournament". </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roster: [player_tooltip player_id='1276347' first='David' last='Cruz'], <strong>Suge Valles</strong>, <strong>Bird Nevarez</strong>, <strong>Thomas Handley</strong>,<strong> Joe Koenig</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076709' first='Caleb' last='Carr']</strong> and <strong>Elliot Cisneros</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>William Benjamin</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator -->