Only Taos seems to be a little out of its element as the season gets under way for the state's toughest district. The Tigers were state semifinalists last season. But Taos has lost nine seniors, and this isn't a good season for that to happen. Los Alamos, with 7-footer Chris Jackson, and St. Pius, led by talented Daniel Lovato, likely are the teams to beat. However, Capital will be without coach Avelrado Armendariz until January for health reasons, and it might take that long for the Sun Devils to jell with incoming coach and player Mark Senteney and Lando Aliro, respectively, from Mesa Vista.
Silver has only one returnee with any varsity experience.
Deming, which loses the core of a team that just missed the big-school playoffs, might have moved down a class a year too late. Ironically, Belen, a team that won only three games last season, might have a fighting chance at the playoffs. The Eagles, led by Beto Sanchez, bring back four starters. Roswell now can use its Hobbs games as warmups for the new district. Moriarty might be picked last, but the small size of the new district encourages Pintos coach Keith Bond.