Video: Tanner Carter's highlights Sandia High School
See the Eagles standout in action.
Compared to last year's final MaxPreps computer rankings, the Eldorado Eagles currently have made the biggest improvement this season in New Mexico boys basketball. The Eagles have soared from a final finish of 58 in the state to their current No. 9 position.
After going 9-19, Eldorado has improved to 10-5 and it could have been a lot better if not for tough losses to three of the state's top 10 teams. The Eagles were nipped by No. 3 Cleveland 111-109 in a triple-overtime thriller despite 21 points from 6-foot-3 senior Tanner Carter and 20 from 6-0 junior Mike Mounbo. They also lost to No. 4 Espanola Valley 72-70 in overtime and No. 10 Albuquerque 61-60.
However, they have split with No. 5 Rio Rancho, winning 104-98 and losing 69-57.
The second-biggest jump has been by Portales, which has risen from No. 40 last year to No. 6 at this time. The Rams were 18-10 last year, but currently stand 14-2, with wins over No. 7 Roswell 65-56 and No. 22 Silver 51-50 in overtime. Jeremie Karngbaye, a 6-5 senior, poured in 27 points against Roswell.
Las Cruces also has made an impressive improvement, after finishing No. 35 last year with a 16-14 record. The Bulldawgs have skyrocketed to a 14-2 record and the No. 1 ranking in the state. They have lost only to No. 5 Rio Rancho 70-53 and No. 14 Hobbs 71-68. They handed then No. 1-ranked Cleveland its first loss 70-69 as 6-5 junior RJ Brown scored 17 points and 5-6 junior Markus Collins scored 12.
Biggest jumps of New Mexico Top 10 teams
The top 10 teams with current records, current ranking and jumps from last year follow:
1.
Eldorado (Albuquerque), 10-5, No. 9 (last season 58)
2.
Portales, 14-2, No. 6, (40)
3.
Las Cruces, 15-2, No. 1, (35)
4.
Los Lunas, 14-3, No. 8, (25)
5.
Albuquerque, 11-5, No. 10, (15)
6.
Rio Rancho, 13-6, No. 5, (13)
7.
Espanola Valley (Espanola), 14-3, No. 4, (9)
8.
Cleveland (Rio Rancho), 14-5, No. 3, (6)
9.
Roswell, 13-3, No. 7, (4)
10.
Onate (Las Cruces), 15-2, No. 2, (1)
