2023 New Mexico Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 regular season in high school basketball has officially come to a wrap. This past weekend on Sunday February 26th, 2023, the State Tournament brackets and seedings were revealed for each of the five classifications. Each of the first round matchups have been set for this weekend along with the locations/times of each game. The sites throughout the tournament will start at the home sites of the higher seeds in the first round followed by the later rounds being played at UNM "The Pit", Bernalillo High School and Rio Rancho Events Center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">5A</span>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607083,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/5A-Girls-crop-828x544-1677608916.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-607083" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hobbs Eagles were rewarded the #1 overall seed in this years 5A Bracket thanks to their young stars; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458555' first='Bhret' last='Clay']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='458556' first='Brynn' last='Hargrove']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467050' first='Kyndle' last='Cunningham']</strong>. The trio of sophomore's are looking to help Hobbs reach their 6th consecutive state championship game and their third title in the past six years. The defending back to back state champion; Volcano Vista Hawks come into this years tournament as a #3 seed. They are looking to win their third straight title being led by Star Center; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357657' first='Taejhuan' last='Hill']</strong> who is a double-double machine. She also has strong support from her guard teammates such as; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391323' first='Mila' last='Espinoza']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459606' first='Mari' last='Manzanares']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557040' first='Storm' last='Nguyen']</strong>. The Farmington Scorpions secured the #2 seed with a 24-3 record and a district title behind the play of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391245' first='Kapiolani' last='Anitielu']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353913' first='Kamalani' last='Anitielu']</strong>. Those two are arguably the best duo in the 5A Class and look to take the next step after losing in the State Semifinals last season. The La Cueva Bears have been one of the states hottest teams coming into this years tournament and are finally at full strength after battling injuries throughout the year. They are led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='357673' first='Eva' last='Love']</strong> one of the best players in the state.. While [player_tooltip player_id='357673' first='Eva' last='Love'] was out much of the year from injury, it was senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='459605' first='Alexis' last='Ayers']</strong> and freshman <strong>Jordyn Dyer</strong> who kept the Bears in contention from their play &amp; leadership. Even as a 5-seed, La Cueva can possibly win the whole thing. Other teams that can make a strong run in this years playoffs are the #7 Las Cruces Bulldawgs, #8 Sandia Matadors, #9 Albuquerque Bulldogs and #14 Eldorado Eagles. Las Cruces will be led by their star back-court; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353927' first='Emma' last='Christiano']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391179' first='Lila' last='Ashida']</strong>. The Sandia Matadors will be led by their "Big Four"; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391103' first='Sydney' last='Benally']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='391104' first='Hope' last='Giddings']</strong>, <strong>Adrianna Wright</strong> and <strong>Chloe Brown </strong>who might be the most talented four four players on one team in New Mexico. Albuquerque will be led by their star duo, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353909' first='Leilani' last='Love']</strong> who is a force down low and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353911' first='Ariana' last='Sanchez']</strong>, who is a scoring and playmaking threat offensively. Lastly, keep an eye on the Eldorado Eagles because they have the best player in New Mexico in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370329' first='Bella' last='Hines']</strong> who is more than capable of exploding for 40+ on any given night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">4A</span>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607085,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/4A-Girls-crop-828x544-1677608964.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-607085" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kirtland Central Broncos were the 4A State Champions from last season and carried that success into this year. They went 26-3 this season and locked up the #1 seed for the second straight year. They come into this years tournament as the team to beat and the favorite to raise the blue trophy once again. The Gallup Bengals were this years #2 seed right behind Kirtland Central. They just won the 4A State Championship just two season ago and appeared in the semifinals last season, it will be interesting to see if they can get back on top this year. Those two are the favorites to reach the 4A State Championship Game this season but have a list of potential challengers right behind them. First is the #3-seeded St. Pius Sartans who are led by [player_tooltip player_id='385929' first='Alyssa' last='Maes']. She averaged a consistent 17 PPG and 5 APG. They are a team that should definitely reach the final four. Another team that can make some noise is the Hope Christian Huskies who come in as this years #4 seed. They have arguably one of the 4A's top duos between [player_tooltip player_id='391172' first='Kathleen' last='Obisike'] and [player_tooltip player_id='391174' first='Alyssa' last='Vigil']. [player_tooltip player_id='391172' first='Kathleen' last='Obisike'] is the best center in the 4A Class and [player_tooltip player_id='391174' first='Alyssa' last='Vigil'] is one of the top wing-players in the state. It's likely that each of the top four seeds in the 4A Class all reach the final four in this years state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->