Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

For 11 years, Artesia High School head boys’ basketball coach Michael Mondragon has understood the meaning of improvisation.

This month, as in previous Novembers, Mondragon waits patiently while key basketball players remain in football mode as the Artesia Bulldogs go deep into the state playoffs.

Four days before the official start of basketball practice sessions, Mondragon watched junior varsity players and a varsity transfer go through offseason drills.

Braylon Vega, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, transferred from Hobbs High School during the off-season.

Vega played in 28 games for the Hobbs Eagles last season, averaging 11.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Mondragon said Vega started for the Eagles during his underclassman years.

The coach is expecting Vega to contribute to this year’s team along junior guard Charlie Campbell and junior forward Clay Kincaid.

Campbell and Kincaid were preparing for the state football playoffs during the week of Nov. 18.

“Clay led us in rebounding (in 2023-2024),” Mondragon said.

Kincaid averaged three rebounds and 10 points per game last season.

At 6-foot-2, Campbell averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game.

“These guys fill up the stat sheet for us,” Mondragon said.

Artesia starts the season at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 with an opening round game against Kirtland Central in the City of Champions Classic at the Bulldog Pit.

Other schools set to play in the three-day tournament: Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Hobbs, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas and Deming.

“It’s tough as always on the boys’ side – it’s very competitive. I’m excited,” Mondragon said.

Mondragon said the preseason schedule is a tough one for the Bulldogs.

“To be the best, you have to play the best,” he said.

Artesia will play traditional southeast New Mexico large schools Carlsbad, Hobbs and Roswell during the non-district portion of the schedule.

The Bulldogs also will face northern New Mexico powers Valencia and Albuquerque Valley and will compete in the Hope Christian tournament in Albuquerque in January.

District 4-4A play for the Bulldogs starts Jan. 31 at Lovington. The Bulldogs have won the league title each of the past five years.

Artesia swept through league play with a 6-0 record last season. The Bulldogs were 18-9 overall and lost to Hope Christian, 67-61, in the second round of the state 4A playoffs.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.