Boys Basketball: Three Bids for District 1-4A?

Much like the SEC Championship game, the PV-KC showdown today will be a de facto semifinal for District 1-4A.

The winner gets to play Shiprock at a neutral site for an automatic entry to the Class 4A state tournament.

The losers? Well, that's where it gets interesting.

District 1-4A has three teams with solid credentials. It earned just one, automatic qualifier Farmington, in last year's tournament. The Scorps got ousted at home in the first round by Alex Kirk and Los Alamos.

Kirtland Central is 14-10, the worst record, but they have wins against ranked teams Grants and St. Pius and road victories at PV and Shiprock.

Shiprock has the worst schedule but 19 wins, making it tough to leave them out after they closed with six victories to end district play.

PV is solid at 16 wins.

Panthers coach Brian Shock seemed confident the district will get three teams into the field this year.

"I think all three of us could be in the quarterfinals in The Pit," Shock said.

He projects his own team as a No. 6-8 if they secure the No. 1 seed by beating KC on the road tonight and getting revenge on Shiprock, a No. 9-11 if they beat KC and lose to Shiprock and a No. 10-12 if they lose tonight.

Said Shiprock assistant coach Chester Atcitty Jr., who is a good interview: "I would think we would get more than one bid, but it's been very tough all season long just to get in the top 10 (of the coaches poll). Sometimes we just don't get the respect. Maybe they'll start turning their heads."

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher