Class of 2022: Centers Spotlight

After an incredible girls high school basketball season, we were shown great play from players all around the New Mexico community. This included some elite talent and skill from some of the top Centers in the state from this past year. <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353689" first="Mattie" last="Cooksey"]- 5’9 Center "Loving"</span></p> Loving High School Center [player_tooltip player_id="353689" first="Mattie" last="Cooksey"] had a solid season averaging a double-double this year. <strong>Mattie</strong> led Loving High School in points and rebounds this season. She averaged 12.5 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game this year. Her season high for both categories was 31 points and 20 rebounds this year. This season <strong>Mattie</strong> racked up fourteen double-doubles and had a stretch of getting a double-double in thirteen straight games. [player_tooltip player_id="353689" first="Mattie" last="Cooksey"] had a solid senior year. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353692" first="Jayden" last="Jenkins"]- 5’10 Center "Robertson"</span> [player_tooltip player_id="353692" first="Jayden" last="Jenkins"] played a huge role this season in leading Robertson to the 3A Girls State Championship. Robertson ended the season as the 3A State Champions and finished with an impressive 28-1 record. <strong>Jayden</strong> was one of the most consistent Centers in the state this season. She provided size and a nice paint presence on both sides of the floor. <strong>Jayden</strong> had a nice touch around the basket and was quick on her feet defensively for rebounding and blocking shots. <strong>Jayden</strong> was easily one of the top Centers in New Mexico this season. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353753" first="Faith" last="McDonald"]- 5’7 Center "Loving"</span> [player_tooltip player_id="353753" first="Faith" last="McDonald"] was one of the best interior Centers in the state this season. She averaged an impressive 8.9 rebounds per game which made her one of the leaders in that category this season. <strong>Faith</strong> had ten games this season of grabbing at least 10 rebounds in a game and had a season high of sixteen rebounds in a game this year.  She was also a solid offensive rebounder giving her team extra possessions and opportunities.  <strong>Faith</strong> also racked up four double-doubles this season for Loving High School. <strong>Faith</strong> had a solid season to wrap up her high-school career. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353754" first="Hannah" last="Beukelman"]- 6’4 Center "Moriarty"</span> Moriarty Center [player_tooltip player_id="353754" first="Hannah" last="Beukelman"] played a huge role in Moriarty’s success this season. Moriarty made the 4A Girls State Tournament after going 18-6 in the regular season and securing the 7th seed in the tournament. Moriarty made the 4A State Quarterfinals before losing to #2 Gallup 76-53. This season <strong>Hannah</strong> averaged 8.0 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. She was also one of the better shot blockers in the state averaging 2.8 blocks per game this year. She recorded two double-doubles this season and grabbed 10+ rebounds in a game on four different occasions this year. <strong>Hannah</strong> was an all around big that can impact the game in various ways. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353755" first="Lauren" last="Barela"]- 5’9 Center "Valencia"</span> Valencia had a solid season this year after finishing with an 18-12 record, a trip to the 4A State Tournament and reaching the 4A State Quarterfinals. Valencia Center [player_tooltip player_id="353755" first="Lauren" last="Barela"] played a key role in making those things happen this year. Lauren led Valencia in rebounding this year and had three games of grabbing at least 10 boards in a game. She was also a solid offensive rebounder giving her team extra possessions and opportunities. Lauren had a solid four year High School career at Valencia High School. &nbsp;