As the time changes and the leaves have fallen, true basketball connoiseur understand that basketball is around the corner.  Where the hopes and dreams become as tasty as the up and coming holiday feasts.  And with that thought come my pre-season district 1-4A boys’ and girls’ basketball preview and predictions!!!! So bring on the non-partisan words of wisdom and let the road to march madness begin.

Prediction:

1. Farmington Scorps

2. Piedra Vista Panthers

3. Shiprock Chieftains

4. Kirtland Broncos

5. Aztec Tigers

            First up is the battle of district 1-4A boys’ basketball crown where the Farmington Scorpions have had a strangle hold on for the past two years.  Although the loss of 12 seniors may prove to be too much for the Scorps to overcome, they still will provide a more than formidable fight for the district crown.  Coach Holman, in his classic way will replace a senior laden team with a Junior Varsity that went 15-8 (Dist. JV record of 8-1) in their 2006 - 2007 campaign. 

Cross-town rival Piedra Vista Panthers just might have the experience and balance needed to over throw the two-time defending district champs.  With the likes of sharp shooting guard Tyler Garrison, the multi-dimensional Michael Suarez and the steady backcourt play of Adrian Romero leading the way, the Panthers have little reason to believe that the district isn’t for the taking. 

The wild card in the district could come from the reservation in the form of the Shiprock Chieftains.  With enough ball hawking skills on defense and the ability to drain outside shots from the concession stand, the Chieftains could ruin someone’s district championship dreams.  The most eye glaring deficiency would be their inability to score from the inside, a concept that has plagued this team since moving into the district.

Next up are the Broncos from Kirtland Central – Brad Lenburg in his third year, has assembled a group of kids that spent a good portion of the summer competing against the states elite programs.  Although they may have created some team unity, the biggest difference might have to do with the fact that Coach Lenburg has molded a team that has been in the system and now have his thinking and game plan in mind when they step out onto the court.

And finally, the Aztec Tigers – change is about the only thing that has been consistent with the Tiger program this off season.  With the loss of probably one of the great young minds in New Mexico High School basketball in coach Shock, the Tigers and their coaching staff are facing what coaches call a rebuilding year.    

Writer’s Edge - All advantages point toward the Piedra Vista Panthers, a team that returns 4 starters and 9 players from a team that went 15-12 (Dist. 8-3) in ’06 -’07. The Panthers could be headed for their first ever boys’ basketball district title.  But let us remember that the state of New Mexico has never handed out a district or state championship in basketball in the month of November.  Word around the Four Corner’s area is that the district title can only be lost by Piedra Vista, not won!  Having said that, look for the other district teams to play catch-up for most of the season with hopes of protecting home court and sneaking out a road v