NM Standouts at the Mountain Madness

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USJN: Mountain Madness was a three day event held in the greater Denver area that featured over 100+ teams (17U-13U) alongside 45(!) Collegiate programs representing each level - D1, D2, D3, JUCO, NAIA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the 17/16U, there were over 60 teams - mostly five teams per pool resulting in 4 pool play games and possibly 1 extra bracket game depending on record. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order to earn a “Pool All-Star” selection, a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">player must earn votes from opposing coaches after their respective pool play matchups.</span> After all pool play games were completed. Each of the players listed below was a “Pool All-Star” Selection at the USJN: Mountain Madness Tournament and from the State of New Mexico. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NM - NM Select 17 BSTTL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='391323' first='Mila' last='Espinoza']</em></strong> - 5'5” Guard (2025) Volcano Vista HS, NM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled Guard whose basketball IQ is expanding - Shields the defender well and is able to draw contact when attacking the basket with good body control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NM - NM Select 17 BSTTL&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='391179' first='Lila' last='Ashida']-Schwis</em></strong> - 5'7” Guard (2023) Las Cruces HS, NM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Multifaceted Wing player whose Post up game is underrated - will take advantage of a mismatch - Lila uses her body well to get deep post position and can finish with either hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NM - NM Flash 17&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='353923' first='Ema' last='Rose'] </em></strong>- 5'11” Forward (2023) Gadsden HS, NM </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Big and physical back to the basket player that also has a good midrange jumper - elbow and baseline - Rose likes to play bully ball but also has finesse and touch which is intriguing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NM - NM Flash 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='458569' first='Ciprianna' last='Garcia']</em></strong> - 5'5” Guard - Escalante HS, NM (2023)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smooth lefty that plays with good confidence and pace to her game - Garcia has a nice jumper, can get into the lane and score or find an open teammate for a bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NM - NM Select 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='370403' first='Kindyll' last='Sandoval']</em></strong> - 5'6” Shooting Guard - Cleveland HS, NM (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spot up shooter that is starting to defend at a higher level - Sandoval is showcasing the ability to anticipate and jump passing lanes at a more frequent pace which is resulting in  more deflections/steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='357678' first='Olivia' last='Montano'] (Olivia Francia)</em></strong> - 5'6” Combo Guard - West Mesa HS, NM (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crafty Combo guard whose ability to create shots for herself and other has taken a nice step forward this summer - Olivia has shot the ball well in catch &amp; shoot situations and has gotten better at getting into the lane and finding the open player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->