The Biggest X-Factors Going Into District Play Across New Mexico
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With the first half of the High School Basketball regular season complete, the second half of the season is underway as we start district play across New Mexico. Their is so much on the line as district starts this week.…
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Continue ReadingWith the first half of the High School Basketball regular season complete, the second half of the season is underway as we start district play across New Mexico. Their is so much on the line as district starts this week. Their play in district will determine how their seeded for the district tournament and state tournaments. With that being said, their is several X-Factors on several contenders and playoff contenders who can increase their teams chances at winning a district title.
Audriana Wright Audriana Wright 5'10" | SF Sandia | 2025 State NM “Sandia” CG: Sophomore Audriana Wright Audriana Wright 5'10" | SF Sandia | 2025 State NM is arguably the Lady Matadors most important player on their championship contending roster. She is the teams most versatile player on both ends of the floor. Audriana is arguably the teams most unselfish player, and is sacrificing her role to win. She is more than capable of scoring 20+ points in any game and if she gets going along with the members of the Matadors “Big 3” they are almost impossible to beat. Audriana Wright Audriana Wright 5'10" | SF Sandia | 2025 State NM is arguably the teams best rebounder, passer and defender. She knows how to impact the game without scoring, that’s a trait very few have in New Mexico.
Jordyn Dyer “La Cueva” SG: Despite being a freshman, you wouldn’t know it from Jordyn Dyer’s play. She is the Bears leading scorer averaging 11.9 points per game and has carried the load with her Star teammate “ Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM ” missing the past six games due to injury. Jordyn Dyer is an efficient scorer and the shooting guard position shooting 50% from the field. She is also averaging 5.6 rebounds per game and will be a player that her district will keep their eyes on for sure.
Kyndle Cunningham Kyndle Cunningham 6'0" | PF Hobbs | 2025 State NM “Hobbs” PF: The sophomore forward; Kyndle Cunningham Kyndle Cunningham 6'0" | PF Hobbs | 2025 State NM is the perfect fit with the Hobbs Lady Eagles. She does all the dirty work down low and makes winning plays for the basketball program. She is a big reason the Eagles sit among the top of the 5A Class with a 16-2 record to this point. Kyndle Cunningham Kyndle Cunningham 6'0" | PF Hobbs | 2025 State NM is a great inside scorer, great offensive rebounder and gives the Eagles second chance opportunities. She will be a player that is game-planned by opposing coaches in this district without a doubt.
Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM “Farmington” PF: The Scorpions Junior Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM can virtually take over a game by herself in any game. She is a double-double machine and makes a pretty high percentage of her shots on the floor. Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and is a good passer as a forward averaging about four dimes per game. If she continues her high level play into district play, don’t be surprised if she leads the Scorpions to a district title going into the State Tournament.
Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM “Volcano Vista” CG: In her first season as a varsity starter, Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM has impressed in sophomore year. She is averaging 12.2 points per game through the first seventeen games of the season and has emerged as the Hawks second best player. She compliments Star teammate Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM great with her shooting and playmaking abilities. With district coming up, expect the Hawks to look to Mila Espinoza Mila Espinoza 5'4" | CG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM more as this point of the season.
Ariana Sanchez Ariana Sanchez 5'10" | CG Albuquerque | 2023 State NM “Albuquerque” CG: Ariana Sanchez Ariana Sanchez 5'10" | CG Albuquerque | 2023 State NM from the Albuquerque Bulldogs is the key for them winning another district title this year. She is arguably the teams most important player despite Leilani being the teams best player. Ariana Sanchez Ariana Sanchez 5'10" | CG Albuquerque | 2023 State NM takes pressure off Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM with her scoring averaging 14.2 points per game as the teams second leading scorer. Ariana is also the teams leader in assists and among the the top five in assists per game in New Mexico at 4.5. Her playmaking is just as important as her scoring because she is as big of a threat offensively as any other guard in New Mexico. If she controls that aspect of the game, it’s hard too see someone in Albuquerque’s district giving them any problems.
Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil 5'8" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM “Hope Christian” SF: The Hope Christian Huskies Small Forward Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil 5'8" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM is having an excellent senior season with solid splits across the board averaging 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. She is among one of the states top scorers in terms of points per game and can score inside-and-out. Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil 5'8" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM can score, rebound and pass at a high level. She is the Huskies most versatile player and best pure scorer to complement Star teammate Kathleen Obisike Kathleen Obisike 5'11" | C Hope Christian | 2023 State NM . If Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil 5'8" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM continues the huge stretch she’s been on, Hope Christian might will be the favorite to win their district title.
Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM “Las Cruces” PG: Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM is the engine that runs the Las Cruces Lady Bulldawgs. She is among averaging 15.5 points per game and is also the states second leading passer averaging 4.9 assists per game. She can control the game with her scoring and passing. Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM demonstrates great leadership on the floor and is at her best when she is aggressive looking for her shot which than later on sets things up for others. She is a true point guard that makes her teammates better and that will help the Bulldawgs chances in district play.
Joslyn Montez Joslyn Montez 5'5" | PG Centennial | 2023 State NM “Centennial” CG: Joslyn Montez Joslyn Montez 5'5" | PG Centennial | 2023 State NM from the Centennial Hawks will be asked to take some of that scoring pressure off of teammate Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM . She is averaging11.1 points per game as the teams second leading scorer but in a tough district, the Hawks will ask her to increase her production to given them a better shot at the title.
Destiny Jackson Destiny Jackson 5'8" | CG West Mesa | 2024 State NM “West Mesa” CG: Destiny Jackson Destiny Jackson 5'8" | CG West Mesa | 2024 State NM is the Lady Mustangs most All-Around player. She is West Mesa’s second leading scorer at 11.4 points per game and averages just 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Destiny Jackson Destiny Jackson 5'8" | CG West Mesa | 2024 State NM is third in New Mexico in assists per game and does everything for the Mustangs. Between herself and teammate Cece Thrasher, she makes everyone else better around her and takes some of that load off her teammate. Expect her to continue stuffing the stats sheet during district play.