Prep Hoops New Mexico: Opening Week Team Rankings 5A & 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>Team</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td><strong>Volcano Vista</strong>- The defending 5A State Champion Hawks will be led by their big men; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124213' first='Sean' last='Alter']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176300' first='Kenyon' last='Aguino']</strong>. They also have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176305' first='Hudson' last='Brown']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1488493' first='Rian' last='Gonzales']</strong>, <strong>Anthony Gonzales</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295246' first='EJ' last='Jordan']</strong> and <strong>David Gutierrez</strong> returning from last season. They play some of the best defense in New Mexico and are a fun team to watch. </td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td><strong>Sandia</strong>- The Matadors are bringing back their "Big Four; <strong>Andrew Hill</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076710' first='Dalen' last='Moyer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076706' first='Ely' last='Lovato']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552945' first='Lamarion' last='Coleman']</strong>. Each of these four can create for themselves and others. When you have arguably the best back-court in the state, you should be in the discussion for a State Championship. </td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td><strong>Atrisco Heritage Academy</strong>- The Jaguars like the Matadors have four players that can play on and off the ball at a high level. They also have playoff experience that will be valuable come playoff time. They will be led by their dynamic back-court <strong>Chris Parra</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176301' first='Latavious' last='Morris']</strong>. </td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td><strong>West Mesa</strong>- The Mustangs only lost two seniors to graduation and added <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124238' first='Elijah' last='Brody']</strong> this past off-season. They looked good throughout the off-season and summer. This team has depth, plays defense and moves the basketball. <strong>Brandon Lagunas</strong> will lead the way as a top ten player in New Mexico.</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td><strong>Cleveland</strong>- The Storm will be led by their "Big Three"; [player_tooltip player_id='1158654' first='Daniel' last='Steverson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1326930' first='Remy' last='Albrecht'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1208048' first='Josia' last='Ortiz']. After a down season a year ago, this young Storm team has gained a year of experience under their belts. It's fascinating how they're under the radar to a lot of people. </td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td><strong>Los Lunas</strong>- [player_tooltip player_id='1176298' first='Jalin' last='Holland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1076721' first='Ezra' last='Guest'] are one of the best duos in the state. Along with Head Coach <strong>Travis Julian</strong>, the Tigers will be a scary matchup for 5A Teams all season. </td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td><strong>Eldorado</strong>- The Eagles have one of the best trios heading into the 2022-23 campaign; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362491' first='Caileb' last='Parham']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276346' first='Mike' last='Knaub']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276348' first='Josh' last='Jackson']</strong>. This is a team that has a lot of size and gave the Atrisco Heritage Academy Jaguars a scare in the first round last season. An argument can be made I ranked the Eagles a little to low. They could make a serious playoff run in 2023.</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td><strong>Las Cruces</strong>- Despite losing the two best players in New Mexico to graduation, the Bulldawgs still have a winning culture. They play exceptional defense and have a chip on their shoulders for this season. They will be led by their back-court <strong>Suge Valles</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276347' first='David' last='Cruz']</strong>.</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td><strong>Carlsbad</strong>- The Cavemen caught everyone's attention when they pulled off an upset victory on the road in the first round of the playoffs last season vs Rio Rancho. The team will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1500488' first='Damian' last='Perez']</strong> who is a top five player in New Mexico. They will go as far as he takes them. </td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td><strong>La Cueva</strong>- Despite losing their two best players and their head coach from last season, the Bears still have talent with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076705' first='Cedarius' last='Yates']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076711' first='Isaiah' last='Denetclaw']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208049' first='Josiah' last='Guliford']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176302' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']</strong>. Each of these players can go off on any given night and if they're all rolling, watch out. </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Rank</td><td>Team</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td><strong>Highland</strong>- The Hornets are the team to beat after winning the 4A State Championship last season. They might be the best three-point shooting team in 4A and will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1485758' first='Alexis' last='Dominguez']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford']</strong> and <strong>Fernando Hernandez</strong>. </td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td><strong>Del Norte</strong>- The Knights lost a lot of their championship core from the last two years but still have arguably the best player in NM; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076702' first='Shane' last='Douma-Sanchez']</strong>. They have sharpshooter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208050' first='Estevan' last='DeVargas']</strong> and a bunch of new young talent. Please do not write off the Knights who have a lot left in the tank. </td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td><strong>Albuquerque Academy</strong>- There's a lot to like with Albuquerque Academy. They were one of the most dangerous teams towards the second half of the season last year. They will be led by <strong>Joe Jack</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208052' first='Kellan' last='Gehres']</strong>. Once this team is fully healthy, they are one of few teams that can realistically raise the blue trophy in March. </td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td><strong>St.Pius X</strong>- You can make the case that St.Pius is right behind Highland as the favorite to win the 4A State Championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1445839' first='Brian' last='Kalb']</strong> is not just the top big man in 4A but one of the top ones overall in the State. They have great coaching, play disciplined basketball and could find themselves back in the final four again this year. </td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td><strong>Artesia</strong>- The Bulldogs were just in the State Championship two seasons ago. Ranking teams 2-5 in 4A is difficult, but Artesia can old their own with just about anyone in this Class. They will be led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208047' first='Nick' last='Sanchez']</strong> who has grown and developed into a star in New Mexico. He's the type of player I'd want on my team competing for a State Championship. </td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td><strong>Belen</strong>- Every season the Belen Eagles get overlooked but here's your opportunity to not make the same mistake. They have a young basketball team that will be scrappy this year. They surprised everyone last season and might be again this year. Point Guard <strong>Jordi Rojo</strong> is the next man up to lead this basketball program and is the right guy to build around. </td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td><strong>Taos</strong>- The Tigers lost seven seniors after getting the #2 seed last year. The good news is they still have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1507055' first='Daemon' last='Ely']</strong> who is a top five player in 4A. He will help keep the Tigers competitive this season. </td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td><strong>Espanola Valley</strong>- The Sundevils lost nine seniors from last year but will have a much younger team to build around for the next few seasons. </td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td><strong>Valley</strong>- The Vikings almost upset #4 St.Pius in the first round of the playoffs last season. Huge fan of the young players coming up in their program which includes; <strong>Luciano Mondragon</strong>, <strong>Tyler Kozlowski</strong> and <strong>Alec Giron</strong>. They have some other tough and competitive players like <strong>Elijah Montoya</strong>. They had a few transfers that are ineligible to play this year that could've catapulted them into top five status. </td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td><strong>Valencia</strong>- Don't let last seasons record fool you, Valencia has improved a lot since last year. Their district alone had three teams in the final four. Their program is heading into the right direction led by Coach <strong>Jesse Hathoot</strong>. My preseason prediction was the Jaguars would make the playoffs and I will stick by that until it happens. </td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->