Predicting Each District Player of the Year in the 5A Class
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With the regular season and district play coming to a close last week, earlier this week was the start of the district tournaments across New Mexico. This article will predict the five district player of the year winners across each…
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Continue ReadingWith the regular season and district play coming to a close last week, earlier this week was the start of the district tournaments across New Mexico. This article will predict the five district player of the year winners across each district.
5A District-1
Teams: Atrisco Heritage, Cibola, Cleveland, Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista.
District Player of the Year: Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM “Volcano Vista”
Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM has led the defending back-to back 5A State Champion Hawks to another district title under Head Coach Lisa Villarreal. She has averaged a double-double 15.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game in her junior year which both rank among the top in New Mexico.
5A District-2
Teams: Eldorado, Farmington, La Cueva, Piedra Vista, Sandia and West Mesa.
District Player of the Year: Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM “Eldorado”
Not only should Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM win the District Player of the Year but she’s in the discussion to win several other awards such as; MaxPreps Player of the Year, 5A Player of the Year and even Gatorade Player of the Year. The sophomore Star is averaging an amazing 30 points per game which leads the State in scoring and a near double-double of 9 rebounds per game for the Eagles.
5A District-3
Teams: Alamogordo, Centennial, Gadsden, Las Cruces, Mayfield and Organ Mountain.
District Player of the Year: Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM “Las Cruces”
Point Guard Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM from Las Cruces High School led the Bulldawgs to an 8-2 record in district play and a first place tiebreaker game vs Centennial. She is among one of the states leading scorers and passers. Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM averages 16.5 points per game and 5.1 assists per game and is ready to lead Las Cruces on a long playoff run in a few weeks.
5A District-4
Teams: Carlsbad, Clovis, Hobbs and Roswell.
District Player of the Year: Brynn Hargrove Brynn Hargrove 5'6" | PG Hobbs | 2025 State NM “Hobbs”
Brynn Hargrove Brynn Hargrove 5'6" | PG Hobbs | 2025 State NM is the leading scorer on perhaps the top team in the 5A Class. She is averaging about 16 points per game this season and has played a huge role in the team’s success this season. They secured their district title by defeating Carlsbad in the first place district tiebreaker. Hobbs should be the projected #1 seed for the State Tournament.
5A District-5
Teams: Albuquerque, Capital, Los Lunas, Manzano, Rio Grande and Santa Fe.
District Player of the Year: Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM “Albuquerque”
Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM is the clear choice for District Player of the Year in 5A District-5. Their isn’t another player in this district that is more dominant than her. She can control/take over a game with her low post scoring and rebounding. Throughout the season, she has averaged an impressive 19.5 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. Her play helped the Albuquerque Bulldogs win district and go undefeated in district play.