Prep Hoops New Mexico Team Preview: Las Cruces High School
Last Season: 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…
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Continue ReadingLast Season: 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 Head Coach William Benjamin, Star players William “Deuce” Benjamin Jr. and Isaiah Carr was one of the best runs of all-time in New Mexico High School Basketball history.
5A Class
District 3: Alamogordo, Centennial, Deming, Gadsden, Las Cruces, Mayfield and Organ Mountain.
Returning Varsity Players: David Cruz David Cruz 5'9" | CG Las Cruces | 2024 NM , Suge Valles, Joe Koenig, Elliot Cisneros, Caleb Carr Caleb Carr 6'10" | C Las Cruces | 2023 State NM and Thomas Handley.
Key Additions: Bird Nevarez
Key Losses: William “Deuce” Benjamin, Isaiah Carr, Abraham Mitchell, Dustin Hicks, Kaden Self, Josh Martinez, Estevan Francia and Timmy Wilkens.
Analysis: 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, William “Deuce” Benjamin Jr. and Isaiah Carr. 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; David Cruz David Cruz 5'9" | CG Las Cruces | 2024 NM and Suge Valles. They will both be the leaders of the team this year and will have bigger roles this season. Suge is the leader of the defense and is a defensive stopper that can run the point guard position well. David 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. Elliot Cisneros will be a solid “catch and shoot” player that spaces the floor. Bird Nevarez is another point guard that will play off David and Suge as a sophomore this season. Joe Koenig is a player that is all over the court and can finish well around the basket. Thomas Handley can play the three or four positions. He is an all-around guy that has length on defense. Caleb Carr Caleb Carr 6'10" | C Las Cruces | 2023 State NM 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”.
Roster: David Cruz David Cruz 5'9" | CG Las Cruces | 2024 NM , Suge Valles, Bird Nevarez, Thomas Handley, Joe Koenig, Caleb Carr Caleb Carr 6'10" | C Las Cruces | 2023 State NM and Elliot Cisneros.
Head Coach: William Benjamin.