Class of 2024: Guards 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 guards in the state from this past year. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="357673" first="Eva" last="Love"]- 5’10 Shooting Guard/Small Forward "La Cueva" Class of 2024 (#2PGHNM)</span> [player_tooltip player_id="357673" first="Eva" last="Love"] had an outstanding sophomore year for La Cueva. She led the team in scoring averaging 13.1 points per game and led La Cueva to the 5A State Semifinals this past season. <strong>Eva</strong> can score from any area on the floor with her inside scoring, elite mid-range game and can score from beyond the arc. She has a deadly mid-range and post game that makes her unguardable. <strong>Eva</strong> has one of the best fadeaways in the state and had some high scoring performances this season. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="391241" first="Raine" last="Edaakie"]- Guard "Native American Community Academy" Class of 2024 (#4PGHNM)</span> Despite a tough season for Native American Community Academy, [player_tooltip player_id="391241" first="Raine" last="Edaakie"] had a spectacular season individually. <strong>Raine</strong> averaged 15.3 points per game which led the team in scoring and was the most among sophomores in the Class of 2024. She was without a doubt one of the most consistent players from her Class and arguably the best pure scorer. Expect <strong>Raine</strong> to be in the conversations as one of the scoring leaders in the state next season. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="357695" first="Zarai" last="Lewis"]- 5’7 Shooting Guard "Clovis" Class of 2024 (#6PGHNM)</span> [player_tooltip player_id="357695" first="Zarai" last="Lewis"] led Clovis to the 5A State Tournament this year and it was a successful season. Despite losing in the first round, the future is bright for <strong>Zarai</strong> and Clovis High School. They will have ten players return next season and they will have more experience for next year. <strong>Zarai</strong> led the team in scoring averaging 12.3 points per game and had three 20-point games this season. Expect <strong>Zarai</strong> to have a breakout season next year. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="391242" first="Leah" last="Valdez"]- Shooting Guard "Bernalillo" Class of 2024 (#8PGHNM)</span> [player_tooltip player_id="391242" first="Leah" last="Valdez"] proved her value for Bernalillo this season after helping them make the 4A State Championship game vs Kirtland Central. <strong>Leah</strong> provided much needed three-point shooting to compliment her great teammates [player_tooltip player_id="353683" first="Juliana" last="Aragon"] and [player_tooltip player_id="353912" first="Gabby" last="O’Hara"]. She was Bernalillo’s second leading scorer averaging 11.5 points per game and was one of the states leading three-point shooters. <strong>Leah</strong> also shot an unbelievable 46% from three point range and expect her to help Bernalillo try and get back to the State Championship next season. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="357678" first="Olivia" last="Francia"]- 5’5 Point Guard "West Mesa" Class of 2024 (#10PGHNM)</span> Despite a tough season for West Mesa High School this past season, [player_tooltip player_id="357678" first="Olivia" last="Francia"] showed some spark in her game this year. She was the floor general for West Mesa and was the engine for the team this year. <strong>Olivia</strong> was the teams second leading scorer averaging about 10 points per game and showed consistency and toughness in every game she played. West Mesa is another young team with a bright future who will bring back eleven of their players for next season. Keep an eye on <strong>Olivia</strong> and West Mesa to surprise some people next year. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="357649" first="Perla" last="Miramontes"]-  Shooting Guard "Academy For Technology and The Classics" Class of 2024 (#11PGHNM)</span> Team Captain [player_tooltip player_id="357649" first="Perla" last="Miramontes"] had a nice season for "AFTTC" this year. She was the teams third leading scorer averaging about 10 points per game and led the, to a 18-7 record this season. <strong>Perla</strong> was one of the teams most consistent scorers and will be asked to do more of that next season.