The Biggest Breakout Players Of The Season
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Now that the High School Basketball Season in New Mexico is at the halfway point, it’s a good time to check in on some players from across the State who are having breakout years in their High School careers. Here’s…
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Continue ReadingNow that the High School Basketball Season in New Mexico is at the halfway point, it’s a good time to check in on some players from across the State who are having breakout years in their High School careers. Here’s a list of players that have made the biggest jump from last season.
Hope Giddings Hope Giddings 5'8" | SG Sandia | 2025 State NM “Sandia” SG Class of 2025
Hope Giddings Hope Giddings 5'8" | SG Sandia | 2025 State NM has increased her production from her freshman year. She has increased her scoring average from 11.3 points per game as a freshman to 14.6 points per game as a sophomore this year. Hope Giddings Hope Giddings 5'8" | SG Sandia | 2025 State NM has already made more three-pointers this year in 11 fewer games to this point. She has taken care of the basketball better this year by decreasing her amount of turnovers per game. Throughout last season as a freshman, Hope Giddings Hope Giddings 5'8" | SG Sandia | 2025 State NM recorded just one 20-point game whereas this year, she has already scored 20+ on four different occasions. Her defense has improved racking up more steals and with decreased fouls per game.
Season | PPG | TPG | 3PM | SPG |
Freshman 2021-22 (28 games) | 11.3 | 2.7 | 19 | 1.3 |
Sophomore 2022-23 (17 games) | 14.6 | 1.6 | 24 | 2.1 |
Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM “Farmington” PF Class of 2023
Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM has had arguably the biggest breakout season of any player from last year. She not only has improved her production but has emerged as one of the states premier players for the Farmington Scorpions. Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM is averaging 18.4 points per game this year which ranks 7th in New Mexico and is scoring over 10 points more than last seasons total at 8.3. Her rebounding has increased as well at 9.5 rebounds per game which is 11th in New Mexico. After recording 0 double-doubles last year, she has recorded 9 this year. Her production has helped the Farmington Scorpions secure the best record in the 5A Class at 18-1 to this point.
Season | PPG | RPG | FTM | Double-Doubles |
Sophomore 2021-22 (31 games) | 8.3 | N/A | 30 | 0 |
Junior 2022-23 (19 games) | 18.4 (7th in NM) | 9.5 (11th in NM) | 41 | 9 (6th in NM) |
Bleona Agushi Bleona Agushi PG Del Norte | 2025 State NM “Del Norte” PG Class of 2025
As a freshman last season, Bleona Agushi Bleona Agushi PG Del Norte | 2025 State NM was Del Norte’s second leading scorer who averaged 9.0 points per game. With senior Mikayla Westfall graduating from last year graduated from last year, it was easy to predict Bleona Agushi Bleona Agushi PG Del Norte | 2025 State NM becoming the new #1 scoring option for the Knights. She has increased her scoring to 16.2 points per game which ranks 16th in New Mexico. Bleona Agushi Bleona Agushi PG Del Norte | 2025 State NM has become a reliable #1 scoring option for the Knights and has proven she can create her own shot with ease. She has gotten more aggressive since last year getting more trips to the free throw line and shooting a higher percentage.
Season | PPG | FTM | SPG | 20-point games |
Freshman 2021-22 (25 games) | 9.0 | 26 | 1.4 | 1 |
Sophomore 2022-23 (18 games) | 16.2 | 38 | 2.5 | 3 |
Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM “Volcano Vista” CG Class of 2025
Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM ‘s numbers have increased across the board. Many around the state wondered how the Volcano Vista’s guard play would be after losing two members of their championship core from the last few years; Natalia Chavez, Jaelyn Bates and Kennedy Brown. She has stepped in and became the team’s second leading scorer averaging 12.3 points per game this year. Mila has made an outstanding 33 three-pointers this year which ranks 7th in New Mexico this year. She is more than a three-point shooting specialist, Mila has made 64 free throws this season at a high percentage and ranks 13 in New Mexico in terms of makes. Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM had played both guard positions well this year for the Hawks running the point and playing off the basketball to take pressure off teammate Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM . She has been steady and consistent for the 17-3 Hawks this year.
Season | PPG | 3PM | SPG | FTM/FTA |
Freshman 2021-22 (18 games) | 3.1 | 9 | 1.3 | 5/6 (83%) |
Sophomore 2022-23 (20 games) | 12.3 | 33 (7th in NM) | 2.9 | 64/85 (75%) |