Field shrinks, hype grows
veritable icon. She’s also pretty familiar with the postseason. Cindy Roybal is back in the state tournament for the first time in more than half a decade, leading Pojoaque Valley to a tiebreaker win over Los Alamos on Monday night for the District 2-4A title. The Elkettes are a long shot to even make it to the state quarterfinals, but if anyone has the magic touch this time of year, it’s Roybal.
5. Redbird sweep
No school has swept the boys and girls state championships in Class 3A since 2022 when Robertson did it. We might have a repeat performance next month as the Cardinals boys are in line for the No. 1 seed while the girls should be in a top-3 spot. When people look back and remember the good ol’ days of Robertson hoops, these are the good ol’ days — especially for the boys. The Cardinals’ youthful roster is threatening to make them into a dynasty.
4. Who will it be?
Every year gives Northern New Mexico a darling show-me team. Sometimes it’s the Horsemen or Demons, maybe it’s the Santa Fe Indian School or Capital, maybe Pecos or Española Valley. Every year brings a new spotlight-stealing team. By all accounts, it looks like the ATC boys and all things Robertson, or maybe it’s someone we’re not really considering.
3. An off year
Something’s off at St. Michael’s. The boys are the defending 3A champs, but they’ve been wildly erratic. They’ll look great one night and seem lost on another. Can they sustain a surge for three games if they make it to the tournament’s second week? And that’s assuming they even get that far because any first-round game will be a challenge. And how about the Lady Horsemen, a team that was winless in district play and lost again Monday night? The Lady Horsemen haven’t won since Jan. 17 but will get a reprieve, of sorts, by escaping District 2-3A in favor of the postseason.
2. Sleeping giant
Don’t overlook the Demons. A 20-win club who didn’t do itself any favors by losing to Rio Grande in the regular season finale, Santa Fe High looks to be in line for a top-5 seed at state. In truth, the Demons might be better off with the 6 or even 7; anything to avoid a run-in with Volcano Vista in the quarterfinals. The sense is, the deeper this team goes, the more dangerous it gets. We’ve all seen the monstrous crowds the Demons attract at state. Get this team to The Pit and all bets are off.
1. Save a seat
The NMAA touts its annual basketball tournament as the greatest amateur sporting event in the state. That’s pretty accurate as well over 100,000 people will attend games once it gets going. The marquee matchups — Gallup girls vs. the field, Española boys vs. the field, northern schools against pretty much anyone — will always draw the fans. As always, get your tickets early and avoid the absolute mess that is parking at this weeklong event. With so many quality teams in our area, there’s plenty to see.