Prep Hoops New Mexico: Opening Week Team Rankings 5A & 4A
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Class 5A RankTeam1Volcano Vista– The defending 5A State Champion Hawks will be led by their big men; Sean Alter Sean Alter 6'9" | PF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM and Kenyon Aguino Kenyon Aguino 6'7" | PF Volcano Vista…
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Continue ReadingClass 5A
Rank | Team |
1 | Volcano Vista– The defending 5A State Champion Hawks will be led by their big men; Sean Alter Sean Alter 6'9" | PF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM and Kenyon Aguino Kenyon Aguino 6'7" | PF Volcano Vista | 2025 State #257 Nation NM . They also have Hudson Brown Hudson Brown 5'9" | PG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM , Rian Gonzales Rian Gonzales 6'4" | SG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM , Anthony Gonzales, EJ Jordan EJ Jordan 6'3" | SF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM and David Gutierrez returning from last season. They play some of the best defense in New Mexico and are a fun team to watch. |
2 | Sandia– The Matadors are bringing back their “Big Four; Andrew Hill, Dalen Moyer Dalen Moyer 6'0" | CG Sandia | 2023 State NM , Ely Lovato Ely Lovato 6'2" | CG Sandia | 2023 State NM and Lamarion Coleman Lamarion Coleman 6'2" | SF Sandia | 2023 State NM . 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. |
3 | Atrisco Heritage Academy– 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 Chris Parra and Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'8" | PG Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM . |
4 | West Mesa– The Mustangs only lost two seniors to graduation and added Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'2" | SF West Mesa | 2024 State NM this past off-season. They looked good throughout the off-season and summer. This team has depth, plays defense and moves the basketball. Brandon Lagunas will lead the way as a top ten player in New Mexico. |
5 | Cleveland– The Storm will be led by their “Big Three”; Daniel Steverson Daniel Steverson 6'2" | SG Cleveland | 2025 #315 Nation NM , Remy Albrecht Remy Albrecht 5'11" | PG Cleveland | 2026 State NM and Josia Ortiz Josia Ortiz 6'4" | SF Cleveland | 2023 State NM . 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. |
6 | Los Lunas– Jalin Holland Jalin Holland 6'5" | SG Los Lunas | 2025 State #85 Nation NM and Ezra Guest Ezra Guest 6'0" | SG Los Lunas | 2023 State NM are one of the best duos in the state. Along with Head Coach Travis Julian, the Tigers will be a scary matchup for 5A Teams all season. |
7 | Eldorado– The Eagles have one of the best trios heading into the 2022-23 campaign; Caileb Parham Caileb Parham 6'2" | SG Eldorado | 2023 State NM , Mike Knaub and Josh Jackson Josh Jackson 6'5" | PF Eldorado | 2024 State NM . 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. |
8 | Las Cruces– 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 Suge Valles and David Cruz David Cruz 5'9" | CG Las Cruces | 2024 NM . |
9 | Carlsbad– 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 Damian Perez Damian Perez 6'5" | SF Carlsbad | 2023 State NM who is a top five player in New Mexico. They will go as far as he takes them. |
10 | La Cueva– Despite losing their two best players and their head coach from last season, the Bears still have talent with Cedarius Yates Cedarius Yates 6'3" | SF La Cueva | 2023 State NM , Isaiah Denetclaw Isaiah Denetclaw 6'3" | SG La Cueva | 2023 State NM , Josiah Guliford Josiah Guliford 5'10" | PG La Cueva | 2023 State NM and Cameron Dyer Cameron Dyer 6'3" | SG La Cueva | 2025 State NM . Each of these players can go off on any given night and if they’re all rolling, watch out. |
Class 4A
Rank | Team |
1 | Highland– 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 Alexis Dominguez Alexis Dominguez 5'10" | PG Highlands | 2023 State NM , Raul Stanford Raul Stanford 5'10" | CG Highland | 2024 State NM and Fernando Hernandez. |
2 | Del Norte– The Knights lost a lot of their championship core from the last two years but still have arguably the best player in NM; Shane Douma-Sanchez Shane Douma-Sanchez 6'0" | PG Del Norte | 2023 State NM . They have sharpshooter Estevan Devargas Estevan Devargas 5'9" | CG Del Norte | 2023 State NM and a bunch of new young talent. Please do not write off the Knights who have a lot left in the tank. |
3 | Albuquerque Academy– 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 Joe Jack and Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 6'0" | CG Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM . Once this team is fully healthy, they are one of few teams that can realistically raise the blue trophy in March. |
4 | St.Pius X– You can make the case that St.Pius is right behind Highland as the favorite to win the 4A State Championship. Brian Kalb Brian Kalb 6'8" | PF St Pius | 2023 State NM 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. |
5 | Artesia– 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 Nick Sanchez Nick Sanchez 5'11" | PG Artesia | 2023 State NM 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. |
6 | Belen– 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 Jordi Rojo is the next man up to lead this basketball program and is the right guy to build around. |
7 | Taos– The Tigers lost seven seniors after getting the #2 seed last year. The good news is they still have Daemon Ely Daemon Ely 6'9" | PF Taos | 2023 State NM who is a top five player in 4A. He will help keep the Tigers competitive this season. |
8 | Espanola Valley– The Sundevils lost nine seniors from last year but will have a much younger team to build around for the next few seasons. |
9 | Valley– 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; Luciano Mondragon, Tyler Kozlowski and Alec Giron. They have some other tough and competitive players like Elijah Montoya. They had a few transfers that are ineligible to play this year that could’ve catapulted them into top five status. |
10 | Valencia– 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 Jesse Hathoot. My preseason prediction was the Jaguars would make the playoffs and I will stick by that until it happens. |