muSt watcH gameS

Boys Dec. 7-9

capital city tournament at Santa Fe HigH ScHool

It’s only a six-team tournament this year, but it’s a top-heavy list of teams. Defending Class 5A champion Roswell visits the City Different, and legendary 6A program Hobbs will make an appearance along with the four Santa Fe big schools. If you want to mark one day to watch, make it Friday, Dec. 8. We get a 5A title game rematch between Capital and Roswell; then comes the main course: Santa Fe High-St. Michael’s. David Rodriguez, the former Santa Fe High head coach now at St. Michael’s, goes against the program he coached for 18 years in two stints.

Jan. 2 loS lunaS at capital

This is another measuring-stick game, as the Jaguars take on one of the favorites in 5A at home. These two teams played to a 40-37 defensive thriller in the 5A semifinals, so expect a low-scoring affair. The Tigers have their own burgeoning prodigy in junior Zanen Zeller, while Matt Smith is developing into a go-to scoring option for the Jaguars.

Jan. 4-6

nortHern rio granDe tournament at poJoaque HigH ScHool

One of the oldest tournaments in the state is usually among the most entertaining. Pecos will be the odds-on favorite, but expect Escalante to be one of the primary challengers. Of course, there is always a surprise or two — usually in the first round — that will upset the bracket. If you’re looking for an upset-minded team, try the Mora Rangers. You can never go wrong with that.

Jan. 16 St. micHael’S at laS VegaS roBertSon

A year ago, the District 2-4A opener became the focal point for the entire district season, as “VideoGate” erupted in PerezShelley Gymnasium when a West Las Vegas assistant coach was caught illegally filming parts of the game. After weeks of legal wrangling, the Dons ended up forfeiting all of their games against the two aggrieved teams. It’s doubtful that a repeat happens, but this game pits the top two 2-4A contenders against each other. And you never know what will happen.

Jan. 23/FeB. 9 eSpañola Valley VS. capital

This series always has a thriller or two during the regular season. The past two seasons have seen both teams duke it out in a onegame playoff to determine the top seed in the district tournament. Usually, a high seed for the 5A state tournament is on the line, as well, so should we not expect the same this year?

girls Dec. 14 Santa Fe HigH at eSpañola Valley

This game will be entertaining just for the Cindy Roybal factor. The twist that she and the Demonettes face off against the program she coached from 2013-17 is just adding the whipped cream to this basketball sundae. It’s also a chance to see how the Lady Sundevils are adjusting to head coach Johnny Abeyta, who returned to the sidelines after an eight-year hiatus.

Dec. 20 laS VegaS roBertSon at aBq. Hope cHriStian

The Lady Cardinals did not start the season off lightly. They beat Shiprock, the defending 4A champion, on Nov. 25, and play at 4A semifinalist Portales on Dec. 15. If Robertson wins two out of these three games — or better — it jumps into the driver’s seat as the state favorite. The Lady Huskies are transitioning to a new head coach, as Terry Heisey retired and Gary Ellis takes on the task of keeping the program among the best in the state, regardless of class.

Jan. 13 eScalante at Santa Fe inDian ScHool

The at the Lady Northern Lobos Rio should Grande be coming Tournament, off a tournament-title but this might be run their biggest test of the season. The Lady Braves will be coming off a challenging game against Las Vegas Robertson on Jan. 11, and their inside-out combo of Leanna Lewis and Tyra Yepa can give teams fits. If Escalante leaves the Pueblo Pavilion with a win, it’s a good sign heading into District 5-2A play for last year’s state runner-up in 2A.

Jan. 20 poJoaque Valley at aBq. Hope cHriStian

The Elkettes might be the dark-horse candidate in 4A this season, as their 4-0 start to the season is their best since 2009-10. Every dark horse has to find out how good it is, and what better way than against the Lady Huskies? This is Pojoaque’s chance t omakeastatement.

FeB. 17 poJoaque Valley at laS VegaS roBertSon

A District 2-4A title could be on the line. Or it could be a chance for the winner to pad its résumé in advance of the seeding and selection for the 4A bracket. Either way, this regular-season finale as the feel of a big game, even in December. Considering what might be on the line by this point of the season, it’s a heck of a way to end the regular season.