Senior Standouts
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As the regular season for high school basketball dwindles down to its remaining weeks, several players have been absolutely “ballin’ out” for the entirety of the year and have put their respective games ahead of the pack. Here are some…
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Continue ReadingAs the regular season for high school basketball dwindles down to its remaining weeks, several players have been absolutely “ballin’ out” for the entirety of the year and have put their respective games ahead of the pack.
Here are some Senior Standouts that have excelled this season with a brief analysis:
A versatile presence on both ends of the floor that has the ability to register a double-double on any given night – Has seven (7) on the season – and is the driving force for Head Coach Janai Campos. Leilani Love Leilani Love 6’1″ | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM , a CSU-Pueblo signee, sits in the top 10 for several statistical categories’ such as Points per game (4th overall, 2nd among the 2023 class), rebounds per game (6th) & blocks per game (6th). A key reason why the AHS Bulldogs (19-2, 6-0) remain a top 10 team in 5A, checking in at #8 in the latest rankings.
PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | BPG |
406 | 19.3 | 52% | 8.7 | 1.2 |
A dynamic wing player who contributes to winning basketball on both ends of the floor. Currently 4th in assists per game (4.2) and 2nd in steals per game (4.6) through 22 games; Aspen also ranks second in total steals throughout the State with 101 and sits in the top 15 for three-pointers made. Salazar is shooting 35% from deep, converting on 33/93 attempts.
Highlights
The #10 Hawks (16-7, 7-1) now have sole possession of 1st place in District 3-5A play, on account of six straight victories which includes beating the #7 ranked Las Cruces Bulldawgs (17-6, 6-2). Centennial defeated LC on 1/30 at home, 64-46 behind 18 pts and 7 assists from Salazar.
Last night (2/9), Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM tallied 20 points against Gadsden High school, staying on par with her season average.
PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG |
430 | 19.5 | 47% | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5’8″ | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM is an all-around effective player that has established herself as a primary scoring option this year; Lila currently is 7th in scoring (4th among the 2023 class) and 5th in 3PM with 42. Adding to her offensive repertoire is the ability to post up and hold and hold her own on the inside with good footwork and finishing moves both against guards and forwards.
PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG |
381 | 17.3 | 37% | 5.8 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
Lightning quick guard Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5’4″ | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM is a reliable floor general that helps take stress off of her teammates by delivering crisp passes while on offense and communicating schemes defensively. Emma, pound-for-pound, is one of the toughest competitors in the State regardless of class and position. Christiano places in the Top 15 for multiple categories such as points per game (15th), steals per game (6th) & total steals (86), while also being the leader in other categories such as total assists (110) and assists per game (5.0). There have been several instances where Emma has dished out some smooth no look passes that have threaded the needle.
PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG |
359 | 16.3 | 41% | 4.8 | 5.0 | 3.9 |
Panthers’ Forward Ema Rose Ema Rose 5’11” | PF Gadsden | 2023 State NM , An interior force averaging a double double, is having herself a remarkable senior year despite limited team success in a tough loaded District. Rose is currently in the top 15 for scoring (12th overall, 8th in 2023 class & 8th in 5A) and has eclipsed 1,000 career points. A huge accomplishment for a player who primarily operates within the paint. Rose is big and physical but also possesses soft touch around the basket making her a tough matchup.
PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | SPG | BPG |
373 | 17.0 | 41% | 11.5 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
A certified sharp shooter that can torch opposing teams from behind the arc. Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5’6″ | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM is amongst the leaders for 3 Point Makes in consecutive seasons thanks to her polished jumper. A major piece to a talented Lady Scorpions’ team that presently is #2 in the 5A rankings thanks to a 21-2 record that includes being 6-1 in District.
PPG | APG | 3PM | 3P% |
14.4 | 4.1 | 46 | 35% |
Slashing forward Brycelyn Martinez Brycelyn Martinez 5’10” | PF Escalante | 2023 State NM from the Escalante Lady Lobos is well on her way to earning back-to-back selections for the All-State team, thanks to her consistent play all around. Martinez resides in the top 30 for scoring (30th overall, 18th in 2023 class & 2nd among 2A players) and is a major part why the #3 ranked Lady Lobos (14-7, 5-1) continue to rise in the rankings for the 2A class. The Lobos are 9-1 at home and are in the midst of a four game winning streak.
PPG | RPG | APG | SPG |
14.1 | 5.4 | 3.3 | 3.9 |
Mika Juan Mika Juan 5’9″ | SF Sandia Prep | 2023 State NM , the SunDevils paint beast, is having a career year offensively – Mika has registered nine (9) double-doubles and is in the top 15 for scoring, (12th overall, 7th for 2023 class & 2nd among 3A players) – Juan is a senior leader on a scorching hot Sandia Prep team that continues to rise in the top 10 for the 3A rankings. #8 Sandia Prep (13-8, 4-0) sits atop 3A District 5 thanks to a five game winning streak that comes with four commanding wins to open up district play – Cottonwood Classic Prep, Cuba, Bosque & East Mountain.
PPG | FG% | RPG | SPG |
17.0 | 45% | 8.6 | 4.1 |