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| Clayton Jones/News-Sun Hobbs' Dane Pannell against Eldorado in Albuquerque last season. |
I got my hands on a copy of the Hobbs boys basketball schedule today and Eagle fans better take advantage of every home game as the Eagles – with first-year coach Mike Smith at the helm – will be on the road for 14 of their 26 games, unusual for a team that usually plays over half its games at Tasker Arena.
The full schedule is at the bottom of this blog and is also available in Tuesday's sports section of the News-Sun (page 10) but I'll highlight some games of interest.— Nov. 15 @ Midland Lee: Eagles' season opener. I bet a few fans travel the relatively short drive to Midland to watch Smith's first game as head coach of Hobbs.
— Nov. 29 vs. Midland High: Hobbs' home opener and first game for Smith at Tasker Arena as head coach. Probably will be a wild night.
— Dec. 1-3 @ El Paso Canutillo Tournament: I'm not sure when Hobbs last played in a tournament not named the Hobbs Holiday Tournament or the state tournament, but this should be a good warm up for the Holiday Tournament.
— Dec. 17 vs. Oñate: First New Mexico opponent (unless the Eagles play a New Mexico team at the Canutillo Tournament) and a chance to avenge two losses last season to the 2011 Class 5A state champs.
— Dec. 28-30 Hobbs Holiday Tournament: Do I have to say anything more? Should be a blast as always. If you haven't been to this tournament, make a point to. While I'm not sure about all the teams attending, I was told Volcano Vista (who should be one of the better teams in Albuquerque) will be in attendance.
— Jan. 14 @ Las Cruces High: Smith's first game back at Las Cruces High where he was the head coach for several years. Las Cruces should be a good challenge and the Bulldawgs will be looking for payback after the Eagles beat them at Tasker Arena last season – probably Hobbs' biggest win of a disappointing 2010-11 campaign.
— Jan. 24 vs. Goddard: The Rockets edged Hobbs in Roswell last season in front of a raucous home crowd that ignited Goddard's run to the state championship game in Class 4A (it lost to Espanola Valley). The Rockets will be very good again as they return most of that team.
— Jan. 31 vs. Carlsbad: Hobbs' district opener and the return of former Hobbs assistant coach Jamaal Brown, now Carlsbad's head coach.
— Feb. 3 @ Clovis: Big test for Eagles as two first-year coaches at their respective schools battle at The Rock.
— Feb. 17 vs. Clovis: District title could be on the line in Hobbs' regular-season finale at Tasker Arena. Do I really have to sell these Hobbs vs. Clovis games?
Hobbs boys basketball 2011-12 schedule
Nov. 15 @ Midland Lee, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 vs. Midland High, 7 p.m.
Dec. 1-3 @ El Paso Canutillo Tournament
Dec. 6 vs. Midland Lee, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 @ El Paso Parkland, 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 @ El Paso Chapin, 5 p.m.
Dec. 13 @ Odessa Permian, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 vs. Oñate, 3 p.m.
Dec. 19 @ Amarillo High, 7 p.m.
Dec. 28-30 Hobbs Holiday Tournament
Jan. 5 @ Seminole, 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 vs. Rio Rancho, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 vs. Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14 @ Las Cruces High, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 @ Roswell High, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 vs. Goddard, 7 p.m.
Jan. 27 @ Artesia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28 vs. El Paso El Dorado, 5 p.m.
Jan. 31 vs. Carlsbad, 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 @ Clovis, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 @ Carlsbad, 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 vs. Clovis, 7 p.m.
