2023 Rankings: New Additions Continued

Matthew Martinez July 15, 2022 @ 12:13 PM

From hardworking, high energy Forwards to menacing Guards, here are more of the newcomers in the updated rankings for the Class of 2023! <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="458573" first="Tara" last="McDonald"] - Los Alamos HS, Los Alamos - 5’11" Forward 2023 Current Rank: 25 [player_tooltip player_id="458573" first="Tara" last="McDonald"] is a high energy Forward for the Hill Toppers that competes on both ends of the floor. Tara is a serious threat in the pick’n’roll who sets hard/solid screens. McDonald can pick’n’pop at 15 feet and beyond; Or she will roll to the cup and will utilize a baby hook in the lane or free up her guards for opportunities to get downhill. McDonald and the Hill Toppers’ will look to advance further in the playoffs next season as opposed to this last; The Hill Toppers were the #13 Seed in the 4A State Tournament, they lost in the opening round to the #4 Seeded Portales Rams. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="458574" first="Amerie" last="Romero"] - Capital HS, Santa Fe - 5’10" Forward 2023 Current Rank: 26 [player_tooltip player_id="458574" first="Amerie" last="Romero"] is a hardworking Forward who is not afraid to battle in the interior for the Capital Jaguars. Amerie uses her size well on the defensive end, altering shot attempts that come into the paint by keeping her arms vertical when contesting. Romero was second on team in total points scored and averaged the second most points per game on the team while being their leading rebounder; However a bigger workload seems inevitable going forward as the Jaguars lost five seniors. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="459603" first="Olivia" last="Haddock"] - La Cueva HS, Albuquerque - 5’7" Combo Guard 2023 Current Rank: 28 [player_tooltip player_id="459603" first="Olivia" last="Haddock"] is high energy combo guard that was an important piece for the Bears last season. Haddock is one of those players that does what is needed to help the team win. She rebounds and defends very well for her size and has a very high motor. Olivia played a crucial role in the Bears 2022 Postseason run where they reached the 5A Semi-Finals. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="459604" first="Karleigh" last="Gutierrez"] - La Cueva HS, Albuquerque - 5’5” Combo guard 2023 Current Rank: 29 [player_tooltip player_id="459604" first="Karleigh" last="Gutierrez"] helps do the little things for Bears that might not show up in the stat sheet. Gutierrez does a good job of getting extra possessions by hustling for rebounds and loose balls or causing deflections on the defensive end that ends up in the hands of teammates. Karleigh will look to help the Bears go deep into the playoffs again next season as the Bears still are in the thick of things. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="459605" first="Alexis" last="Ayers"] - La Cueva HS, Albuquerque - 5’5" Combo Guard 2023 Current Rank: 31 <img class="size-medium wp-image-460946 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/Alexis-Ayers-crop-1536x1009-1657904095-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="459605" first="Alexis" last="Ayers"] is an extremely active defender who comes into ball games with the purpose of not letting opposing guards get a shot off. Ayers is a menace when being on the on ball defender who applies constant pressure both during the High School Season and for her Club Team, the NM Clippers. Alexis moves her feet well, has strong hands and jumps the passing lanes. Alexis was in important bench piece for Coach Hogan but next season, Ayers is expected to slide into the starting role for the Bears who lost their three of their starting five to graduation (Ottmann, Romero and Savic).