2023 New Mexico Girls State Tournament First Round Review
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The 2023 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament kicked off this past weekend on Friday March 3rd, 2023. Throughout the five classes in New Mexico, their was 80 total teams participating in this years State Tournament. Their was a…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament kicked off this past weekend on Friday March 3rd, 2023. Throughout the five classes in New Mexico, their was 80 total teams participating in this years State Tournament. Their was a total of 40 matchup across the state and 8 in each class. Throughout the first round of the playoffs, we look at some of the states top performers from across New Mexico with just 40 teams remaining.
All eyes was on the Sandia and Albuquerque 5A Girls First Round Matchup. It was a back and forth duel between the two stars on both sides; Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM and Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM . Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM ended with a game high 34 points while leading the Matadors to a 60-46 victory over the Bulldogs while Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM finished with 22 points.
Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM led the Centennial Hawks to a wire to wire 40-39 victory over the Organ Mountain Knights. She had another stellar all-around performance with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM and Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM powered the Las Cruces Bulldawgs past the Clovis Wildcats in the 5A Girls First Round this past Friday evening. Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM scored a game high 21 points while Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM ran the floor well dishing 8 assists in the victory.
The defending back to back 5A Girls State Champions were put to the test in the first round vs Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM and the Eldorado Eagles. It was a close and competitive game throughout the evening with Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM scoring a game high 27 points. Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM and the Hawks were just to much for the Eagles as she led the team in scoring with 19 points.
Kathleen Obisike Kathleen Obisike 5'11" | C Hope Christian | 2023 State NM was dominant from the start with her inside presence vs Lovington. She controlled the paint on both ends with her scoring, rebounding and defense. Kathleen Obisike Kathleen Obisike 5'11" | C Hope Christian | 2023 State NM scored a game high 21 points while Alyssa Vigil Alyssa Vigil 5'8" | SF Hope Christian | 2023 State NM scored 16 points and was clutch with her late game free throw shooting as Lovington tried making a late comeback.
Star SG Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM from the La Cueva Bears is getting her rhythm back after battling through injuries this season. She led the La Cueva Bears with 15 points and a 20-point victory over Mayfield in the first round of the 5A Girls Playoffs.
The Farmington Scorpions defeated the West Mesa Mustangs for the third time this season in the 5A Girls First Round. Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5'6" | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM led the team in scoring & assists with 15 points and 5 dimes. Her sister Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM stuffed up the stats sheet with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals to help the Scorpions advance to the second round of the 5A Playoffs.
The 5A Girls favorite Hobbs Eagles had no difficulty advancing past the Rio Rancho Rams with a blowout 67-14 win at home. Brynn Hargrove Brynn Hargrove 5'6" | PG Hobbs | 2025 State NM and Bhret Clay Bhret Clay 5'9" | SG Hobbs | 2025 State NM both ended the game in double-figures.