March Madness: Class 2A/1A First Round Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 state basketball tournament gets underway on Sat., March 7 with first round action around the state. Here is a preview of the 16 First Round matchups in Class 2A and Class 1A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upper Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clayton (16) at Texico (1), 5 p.m.</strong>: The top-seeded (and defending champion) Wolverines enter the state tournament riding a 15-game winning streak. They're 26-2 and most of their wins have been routs. Football standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833696' first='Jett' last='Curtis']</strong> (18.7 ppg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827188' first='Bennett' last='Wahlen']</strong> (11.9) are Texico's leading scorers. Clayton (11-16) finished fourth in District 2A-6. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mora (9) at Tucumcari (8), 5 p.m.</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2300002' first='Luis' last='Archuleta'] leads Tucumcari (14-13), which finished third in District 2A-6 and lost a close game against #4 seed Santa Rosa in the district tournament. Mora (18-11) is battle tested after competing in a tough district and a challenging non-district schedule.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dulce (12) at Mesilla Valley Christian (5), 4 p.m.</strong>: Mesilla Valley Christian (21-5) won the District 2A-3 regular season and tournament titles. Dulce (17-10) finished second in District 2A-1 and is led by sophomore <strong>Jaiden Yazzie</strong> and freshman <strong>Eric Tsosie</strong>. The Hawks will make the LONG trip from the NM-Colorado border to Las Cruces for this game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eunice (13) at Santa Rosa (4), 4 p.m.</strong>: Santa Rosa (21-7) finished second in District 2A-6 behind Pecos. Football standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827293' first='Josh' last='Cordova']</strong> leads the Lions on the hardwood as well. Eunice (13-13) was second in District 2A-4 behind No. 1 seed Texico. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hozho Academy (14) at Mesa Vista (3), 5 p.m.</strong>: One of the best stories of the 2025-26 regular season was the win by Mesa Vista (23-4) over 5A Hobbs in early December. After that, the Trojans won the District 2A-5 regular season and district tournament titles. They reached the 2A championship game last March. Hozho Academy (19-10) is led by <strong>Abe Azua</strong>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Grove Classical (11) at Rehoboth Christian (6), 5 p.m.</strong>: Rehoboth Christian swept the District 2A-1 regular season and tournament titles and carries an 11-game winning streak into March Madness. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827325' first='Trajen' last='West']</strong> is of the Wolves' leaders. Six-foot-4 Oak Grove Classical junior <strong>Chase Atkinson</strong> is one of the state's top scorers. If he gets hot, Oak Grove has a chance to pull the upset. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Menaul (10) at Escalante (7), 5 p.m.</strong>: Escalante (21-7) has enjoyed a successful season but they just couldn't beat Mesa Vista, losing to the Trojans three times after district play started. Lobos senior <strong>RJ Atencio</strong> (12.6 ppg) and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2894524' first='Mateo' last='Torrez']</strong> (12.0) combine for 22.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. Menaul (21-8) will be no pushover. The Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 games. <strong>Gustas Komparskas</strong> and <strong>J'Quan Samuels</strong> are the top scorers. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mescalero Apache (15) at Pecos (2), 6 p.m.</strong>: Pecos (25-3) had a legitimate argument to be the No. 1 seed but No. 2 still reflects the fantastic season the Panthers have enjoyed. One of the top teams in northern NM. <strong>Landyn Hiles</strong> leads Mescalero Apache as the Chiefs make the long trip from the Ruidoso area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Class 2A Bracket<br><br>Texico is the #1 seed <a href="https://t.co/1RIqIuXHla">pic.twitter.com/1RIqIuXHla</a></p>&mdash; Prep Hoops New Mexico (@PrepHoops_NM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM/status/2028255324168446150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upper Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quemado (16) at Logan (1), 4 p.m.</strong>: Logan (24-4) is seeking back-to-back titles. The senior duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717249' first='Hayden' last='Bruhn']</strong> (22.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717329' first='Mason' last='Wallin']</strong> (20.9, 10.3) has few equals in the state. A long trip to the Eastern New Mexico plains awaits Quemado (13-15). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>To'hajiilee (9) at Cliff (8), 5 p.m.</strong>: Cliff (24-5) won a lot of games this season and tied for the District 1A-2 regular season title. To'hajiilee (21-9) is led by Omar Apachito and [player_tooltip player_id='1933371' first='Khyran' last='Guerro'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grady (12) at Alamo Navajo, 5 p.m.</strong>: Alamo Navajo (20-5) went undefeated in District 1A-3 and has four players averaging in double figures. [player_tooltip player_id='1717324' first='Scotty' last='Guerro'] averages over 16 points per game. Grady (15-12) spent February battling Logan and Fort Sumner/House in district play, so they've been tested. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elida (13) at Melrose (4), 5 p.m.</strong>: These district rivals have already played three times this season, so there are no secrets. Melrose (22-5) has flown under the radar most of the season. They'll try to reach the 1A state championship game for the second straight season. <strong>Radlee Ferguson</strong> (14.3 ppg) is Elida's top scorer. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower Bracket</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pine Hill (14) at Cimarron (3), 5 p.m.</strong>: Cimarron (22-4) senior G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2715962' first='Urijah' last='Martinez']</strong> is one of the top players in 1A and holds multiple college offers. Pine Hill (15-11) features a balanced scoring attack. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountainair (11) at Roy/Mosquero (6), 6 p.m.</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833929' first='Ethan' last='Hazen']</strong> averages close to 20 points per game for Roy/Mosquero (18-8), which finished second in the challenging District 1A-5. Mountainair (20-9) will counter with [player_tooltip player_id='2833906' first='Brody' last='Brazil']. Intriguing matchup. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springer (10) at Magdalena (7), 3 p.m.</strong>: Magdalena (180-9) won District 1A-2 with a balanced scoring attack led by Kaanan Stephens and Ky Stephens. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2839492' first='Pablo' last='Romero'] is a 3-point sharpshooter for Springer. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gateway Christian (15) at Fort Sumner/House (2), 6 p.m.</strong>: Fort Sumner/House (22-5) gets overshadowed by district rival Logan, but the Foxes are a very good basketball team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833891' first='Jordan' last='Holland']</strong> is a special player. Gateway Christian (12-14) is led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2694562' first='Zack' last='McCracken']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Class 1A Bracket<br><br>Logan is the #1 seed <a href="https://t.co/YWhjTh6K7a">pic.twitter.com/YWhjTh6K7a</a></p>&mdash; Prep Hoops New Mexico (@PrepHoops_NM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM/status/2028254951756165284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights from game against Tatum Highschool <br>20 points // 5 rebounds // 2 assists // 2 steals // 1 block <br><br>@Andrew_sorrels <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDuncan323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachduncan323</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDGalyean?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDGalyean</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Jfleming5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jfleming5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LCU_ChapsMBball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCU_ChapsMBball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ORUMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ORUMBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_NMAA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachYoungUTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachYoungUTD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachChrisKing1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachChrisKing1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ColemanFurst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColemanFurst</a>… <a href="https://t.co/HCMOI82EpM">pic.twitter.com/HCMOI82EpM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2833696' first='Jett' last='Curtis'] (@jett_curtis_) <a href="https://twitter.com/jett_curtis_/status/2028654152797024564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">District Tie-Breaker<br>35 Points<br>10 Assists<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachVo11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachVo11</a><br>⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/ZachSettembre?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZachSettembre</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/noahbreit1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@noahbreit1</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/coachtombrown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachtombrown</a>⁩ <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJHoot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJHoot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachArf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachArf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CamParker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CamParker</a> ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/KennyTripp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KennyTripp</a>⁩ <a href="https://twitter.com/Atexa21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Atexa21</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_JHanson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_JHanson</a> ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachEricOlen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachEricOlen</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/RussellGurule?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RussellGurule</a>⁩ <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDuncan323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDuncan323</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ttak69uBxy">pic.twitter.com/Ttak69uBxy</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2833891' first='Jordan' last='Holland'] (@JordanHoll23) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordanHoll23/status/2029066622342971471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->