Video: Tanner Carter's highlights vs. Hope Christian
Watch the Eldorado senior shooting guard in a 64-62 victory.
The Eldorado boys basketball team has played the strongest schedule in New Mexico so far this season, according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. The Eagles have only a 6-4 record, but they have tangled with four teams currently ranked among the state's top seven.
The 13th-ranked Eagles, who have a 13.8 strength-of-schedule rating, have lost to No. 2 Albuquerque 61-60, No. 4 Onate 68-60, No. 5 Espanola Valley 72-70 in overtime and No. 7 Rio Rancho 69-57. They also defeated Rio Rancho early in the season 104-98.
Look for the Eagles to make some noise in the Class 6A state tournament despite their record. They have experience, talent and some key members from last year's unbeaten JV team, plus the confidence of playing many of the top teams down to the wire this season. And don't count out veteran coach Roy Sanchez, who already has notched three state championships during his career.
Second with a 12.6 schedule rating is Rio Rancho, which has a 10-5 record and a No. 7 state ranking. The Rams' biggest claim to fame is handing No. 1-ranked Las Cruces its only loss by an impressive 70-53 margin. They also beat No. 5 Espanola Valley 79-60 and split with No. 13 Eldorado, losing early 104-98, but winning recently by a 69-57 margin.
Other losses to highly regarded teams were to No. 2 Albuquerque 73-57 and No. 4 Onate 81-76. They later avenged the Albuquerque loss with an 83-79 triumph.
Top 10 strongest schedulesSchool, record, points
1.
Eldorado (Albuquerque), 6-4, 13.8
2.
Rio Rancho (Rio Rancho), 9-5, 12.6
3.
Volcano Vista (Albuquerque), 7-5, 11.8
4.
Sandia (Albuquerque), 6-4, 11.3
5.
Albuquerque, 9-1, 10.8
6.
Las Cruces, 12-1, 10.2
7.
Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque), 6-5, 10.1
8.
Espanola Valley (Espanola), 11-2, 9.5
9.
West Mesa (Albuquerque), 2-6, 9.5
10.
Cleveland (Rio Rancho), 10-4, 9.4
