It's a tad too early for the coronation, the one that'll eventually take place at Pojoaque Valley High School, when the Elkettes are crowned with the top seed for the District 2AAA Girls Basketball Tournament.

That's only because four games remain on the district slate and the Pojoaque Valley advantage is but two games.

So while it's still mathematically possible for the Elkettes to get caught before the finish line, the reality is this: the race is for the runner-up spot.

"Realistically, it's going to be hard to catch them," says Jose Medina, West Las Vegas head coach.

Medina is not alone in his belief.

"It's going to be a sprint to see who's finishing second at district," says Martin Romero, St. Michael's head coach.

St. Michael's holds a one-game advantage on Las Vegas Robertson and West Las Vegas in the district. That's heading into Wednesday. Santa Fe Indian School is two behind. Raton's also in the district, but the Lady Tigers are not on the lead lap.

"The second seed is totally something everyone is shooting for," Romero says. "It's certainly what we're looking at and I'm sure Robertson, West and Indian School have similar thoughts at wanting to secure that same spot."

Why is second so special?

Well, in 2AAA, it guarantees an automatic berth into the semifinal of the district tournament. More important, it secures the home court. And home is something St. Michael's will see only once in its final four games.

"We're gonna find out real soon just how good a road team we are," Romero says. "Of late, we've grinded out a couple tough road wins. But we've got to avoid those slow starts."

St. Michael's visits Las Vegas Robertson on Wednesday, Santa Fe Indian School on Friday. The Lady Horsemen also travel to Pojoaque Valley for the season finale. Their lone home game is against West Las Vegas.

West Las Vegas' road also features three away games, while Santa Fe Indian School is at home for two, on the road for two. Robertson, meanwhile, entertains West Las Vegas and Santa Fe Indian School, in addition to the Lady Horsemen. The Lady Cardinals' one trip is to Raton.

Aside the Elkettes, Robertson is playing the best basketball in the district. The Lady Cardinals have won three of four, with celebrations coming at Santa Fe Indian School and West Las Vegas.

"If everybody's on the same page, I really do like our chances," Aunna Roanhaus, Robertson head coach, says. "When we came close the other night at Pojoaque, I gave my girls a list of reasons why they are undefeated, and the one at the top was composure. We lost ours and they kept theirs.

"We need to learn to keep our composure in tight games, and every game is going to be tight from here on."

The Lady Cardinals proved quick learners against the Lady Dons.

"They did what they needed to do at the end to beat us," Medina says of Friday's loss before a packed gymnasium. "They have a lot of talent on that team and that talent is starting to show."

Medina is born-and-bred West Las Vegas. That means he bleeds green.

Still.

"Aunna and I get along great," Medina says. "We have a great professional relationship, and I'm glad to see them playing well. Hopefully, when it's all said and done, it's West and Robertson."

That's one potential scenario.

West Las Vegas, in spite of its youth, dropped a 53-50 decision at Pojoaque Valley. The rematch takes place Friday in Gillie Lopez Gymnasium.

"If we can come out and play like we know we can, we might have a shot at beating them," Medina says of the Elkettes, who are 22-0. "We know we can play with them."

The Lady Dons have seven underclassmen, including the best sophomore class in the district in Miranda Martinez, Vanessa Lucero, Megan Martinez and Brianna Montaño.

"I'm very pleased with the progress our young girls have made," Medina says. "They've stepped up to the challenge. Miranda and Vanessa, and even Brianna and Megan, have been with me since the eighth grade. They've gotten that experience. When they were younger, I threw them in the fire. Their basketball knowledge and intelligence keeps getting better and better."

It's not surprising.

Is anything, in 2AAA?

Not so far.

With two weeks left before the playoffs, a strand of dental floss is the current width of separation between four teams.

"It's very, very close," Romero says of the race, of the teams. "Top to bottom, we're loaded with talent."

That prowess also will be displayed in next month's Class AAA State Tournament.

"I definitely can see them in the state championship game," Roanhaus says of the Elkettes. "And I can see any of us other four against them in the final."

A year ago, the title game was an all-2AAA affair, with Pojoaque Valley defeating St. Michael's. And while Pojoaque Valley has yet to taste defeat, and while the district is ready to anoint them as top seed, no one is ready to bookend another crowning moment for the Elkettes.

That's in district.

And beyond.