2023 New Mexico Girls State Tournament Championship Review
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The 2022-23 New Mexico High School Girls Basketball regular season came to a close. It was a fun and exciting season across the state. We covered the State Tournament all week and finally crowned our five 2023 State Champions. Here’s…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022-23 New Mexico High School Girls Basketball regular season came to a close. It was a fun and exciting season across the state. We covered the State Tournament all week and finally crowned our five 2023 State Champions. Here’s a recap of how each game went in the championship round:
Friday March 10th, 2023:
3A #3 Santa Fe Indian vs #4 Tohatchi at 3:00pm at “The Pit”
Tohatchi was able to bounce back from last year’s playoff loss to Santa Fe Indian in the 3A Girls State Semifinals. They upset the team that cost them a trip to last year’s 3A State Championship Game. They were led by Brooke Badonie Brooke Badonie 5'5" | CG Tohatchi | 2024 State NM and Marisa Denesto who scored 12 points each and combined for 24 points, which was as many as the Santa Fe Indian roster. Tohatchi won 46-24 to win the 2023 3A State Championship Title.
2A #1 Escalante vs #7 Texico at 5:00pm at “The Pit”
The Texico Wolverines won the first 2A State Championship since 2018. They won the State Title in upset fashion by knocking off #1 Escalante 44-30. It was a low scoring game, but the player of the game was Emma Wahlen who recorded a double-double; scoring a game high 12 points and grabbing a game high 10 rebounds in the victory.
4A #1 Kirtland Central vs #2 Gallup at 7:00pm at “The Pit”
The Gallup Bengals knocked off #1 Kirtland Central from their thrown. It is the second State Title for the Gallup Bengals in the last three years. They defeated Kirtland Central 57-47 and won the season series 3-2 this year. Rylie Whitehair Rylie Whitehair 6'2" | C Gallup | 2025 State NM was the most dominant player in the game with a huge double-double; 18 points and 13 rebounds. Despite the loss, Aaryanna Lansing from Kirtland central played well with a double-double of her own with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Saturday March 11th, 2023:
1A #2 Roy/Mosquero vs #4 To’hajiilee at 10:00am at “The Pit”
Roy/Mosquero was able to hold on to defeat To’hajiilee 62-61 in the 1A Girls State Championship Game. It was balanced scoring for the team having four player score double digits in points; Donata Secatero Donata Secatero 5'5" | SF To'hajiilee | 2023 State NM with 15, Alyce Apachito Alyce Apachito 5'11" | C To'hajiilee | 2023 State NM with 13, Cadence Secatero & Tyler Rose-Apachito both scoring 12. It is the second State Title in the previous three years for Roy/Mosquero.
5A #1 Hobbs vs #3 Volcano Vista at 2:00pm at “The Pit”
The Hobbs Eagles continued their winning tradition reaching the State Championship Game for the 6th year in a row. Over the span, they just won their third State Title by defeating Volcano Vista 52-45. Over the last four year’s, them and Volcano Vista have been responsible for the last four State Titles; winning two each. Four of Hobbs starters ended in double-figures; Jayla David Jayla David 5'10" | PF Hobbs | 2025 State NM 12 points & 10 rebounds, Nakia Mojica Nakia Mojica 5'6" | CG Hobbs | 2025 State NM with 12 points, Bhret Clay Bhret Clay 5'9" | SG Hobbs | 2025 State NM with 11 points and Brynn Hargrove Brynn Hargrove 5'6" | PG Hobbs | 2025 State NM with 10 points. With the young core, expect the Hobbs Eagles to be the favorites going into next season again.