Eldorado is the pick for the top spot in the Land of Enchantment. But don't count out La Cueva, Clovis, Las Cruces and Volcano Vista.
MaxPreps 2012-13 New Mexico Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard1. Eldorado (Albuquerque)Coach: Roy Sanchez
2011-2012 Finish: 22-8 Class 5A champions
The Eagles return one of the state's best players from a team that went 22-8
and won the Class 5A state championship.
Cullen Neal (6-4, Sr., G), who
averaged 27.7 points per game and sank 87 3-pointers on the season, is back
to head a lineup that lost two fulltime players from last year. Neal, the son
of former NBA player and current University of New Mexico associate head coach
Craig Neal, proved his all-around worth
by also averaging 4.5 assists and 5 rebounds per game last season. Neal was
extremely consistent as he never scored less than 16 points on the season and
had a high of 46 that included nine 3-pointers. An All-State first team
player, Neal led the state in scoring last year and is headed to St. Mary's
(Moraga, Calif.) next season.
Zach Lee (6-6, Sr., PF), a second-team All-State
pick in 2012, also returns for his senior season after averaging 11 points
and a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game. Coach Roy Sanchez can also count on
returning starters
Toben Brazier (5-9, Sr, G) and
Kane Martinez (6-2, Sr, G),
each of whom averaged seven points a game as juniors. Also watch for junior guard
Dalton Neal (5-8, Jr., G), brother of Cullen.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings2. La Cueva (Albuquerque)
Coach: Frank Castillo
2011-2012 Finish: 25-6, Class 5A runners-up
The Bears fell just short of capturing the Class 5A state championship in 2012,
losing to Eldorado 75-72 in the championship game. Six players return from that
group, including All-State first team guard
Bryce Alford (6-3, Sr., G), the son
of former NBA player and current New Mexico coach Steve Alford. Bryce, who will
play for his father next year, averaged 24.6 points, 5.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds
and 2 steals per game last season with a high of 44 points in a game against
Cibola. La Cueva also returns
Jordan Clark (Sr.) and
Calvin Allen (Sr.), both
of whom started last season. The Bears will miss Kai Locksley, a sophomore who
played on the varsity last year as a freshman. Locksley is now at Gilman School
in Maryland. His father Mike is the offensive coordinator for the University of
Maryland football team.
View last season's New Mexico boys basketball Freeman Rankings
3. Clovis
Coach: Matt King
2011-2012 Finish: 18-10, Class 5A semifinalist
Clovis knocked off top-seeded Las Cruces in last year's quarterfinals behind
John Dawson's 23-point outing. An All-State selection last year, Dawson returns
for his senior season. He's one of several key contributors who return from
last year, including
Kamal Cass (5-9, Jr, G),
Drew Cole (6-7, Sr, F),
Dijon Ford
(6-3, Sr, P),
DJ Blackmon (6-2, Sr, G) and
Marshall Winn (6-5, Sr, P). Blackmon
is a returning All-State player as well, making the second team as a junior.
View last season's New Mexico boys basketball stats leaderboard4. Las CrucesCoach: William Benjamin
2011-2012 Finish: 24-5, Class 5A quarterfinalist
Clovis surprised Las Cruces in the quarterfinals last year, knocking the
top-seeded Bulldawgs out of the playoffs. Las Cruces has plenty of depth
returning in 2013, as only one senior graduated from last year's squad. That
lone senior was a good one, though, as 6-5 power forward Mando Marshall
earned first team All-State honors last year. Ten other players return,
however, including All-District players
Joseph Garza (6-0, Sr, PG),
Kai Williams (6-3, Sr., SF),
Trevor Noel (6-6, Sr, C),
Gilbert Sigala (6-0, Sr, G)
and
Kamryn Dixon (6-4, Sr, PF).
View last season's NMAA boys basketball playoff brackets
5. Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)
Coach: Greg Brown
2011-2012 Finish: 18-13
After losing in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs last year, Volcano
Vista hopes to extend its season a little further this year. Having All-State
second-team selection
Sam Haywood will help the Hawks accomplish that goal. He
averaged 19 points a game while also earning first-team All-City honors. A
total of seven players return from last year's group, although coach Greg Brown
did lose promising small forward Donovan Khatam, who transferred to West Mesa. The
Hawks have another potential scorer in Nic Martin, who is considered one of the
top players in the Class of 2013 in the state.
