Unsigned 2023's from New Mexico

With the State Tournament beginning this Friday (3/3), many players from the 2023 class could potentially play their last games of basketball. Despite the harsh realities, there is still hope some players can garnish enough belief to be given a chance and play at the next level. Here are some players from the 2023 class that may have been glossed over.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   The La Cueva Bears continue to be contenders year after year thanks to timely contributions & adjustments by many players and coaches. Over the last four seasons, the Bears have posted a winning percentage no lower than .64% and that in itself, is pretty impressive.   Senior Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='459604' first='Karleigh' last='Gutierrez'], attributes the success to the support the players have amongst themselves and their ability to play collectively.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> “We are a huge family and we just always want each other to succeed and meet our full potential,” said Gutierrez. “Our success has not been easy having to play some of the toughest teams in the state [and] in our district alone. This pressure makes it to where we need to constantly be giving it our all and playing as a team.” </blockquote>   For the regular season, the Bears finished 19-7 overall, which includes an 8-2 District record. La Cueva then went on to win the District 2-5A Tournament after defeating top seeded Farmington on the road, 36-35, which put them in prime position to obtain a top 5 seed for the State Tournament. A feat that was in jeopardy due to the Bears being down their star player Eva (ankle) for a good stretch of the season. But it was the role players such as Karleigh, Jordyn and Alexis that stepped up and held the fort down.    <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td>PPG</td><td>RPG</td><td>APG</td><td>SPG</td></tr><tr><td>Junior 21-22</td><td>4.8</td><td>2.8</td><td>1.2</td><td>1.5</td></tr><tr><td>Senior 22-23</td><td>7.1</td><td>3.9</td><td>2.9</td><td>2.0</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stats via Max preps</figcaption></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />     Hardworking, energetic, selfless are just a few words that come to mind when describing Belen's senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='391181' first='Maesyn' last='Lopez'] who is ranked as the #9 overall player in the Class of 2023.    <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> Maesyn's dribbling and passing abilities took a huge step forward, along with her decision making; Something she wanted to improve on, “[I] Definitely [wanted to improve] my dribbling and [my] ability to look up court and make a play,” said Lopez. </blockquote>   Maesyn has "verbally" committed to Trinidad State College in Colorado but has yet to officially sign as of today.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    [player_tooltip player_id='391185' first='Joslyn' last='Montez'] torched opposing teams from behind the arc all season. Relentless at putting up quality attempts from deep and converting at a very respectable/high rate. Montez shot 38% from 3pt range and led the entire state in makes with 78! Joslyn is one of three players to make 50+ three-pointers while shooting better than 35%.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/CHSLadyHawkBBal/status/1630313554900402178 </div></figure>   With the challenge of obtaining the District 3-5A title complete, one would think the Centennial Hawks (20-8) can put their district foes in their rearview; Unfortunately that is not the case. The #6 Lady Hawks will host #11 Organ Mountain (17-10) on 3/3 @ 7pm for the opening round of the 2023 5A State Tournament and play them for a fourth time this season!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    [player_tooltip player_id='458569' first='Ciprianna' last='Garcia'] also led Escalante in Total Blocks with 14 - doubling the next closest player on the team (7) - from the guard position. "Cippy" and the Lady Lobos (19-7) have claimed the #1 overall seed in 2A in consecutive years, and are in the midst of a nine game winning streak. Now comes the challenge of rectifying last years Championship defeat and being crowned champions for the 2022-23 season.   #1 Escalante hosts #16 Lordsburg on 3/3 @ 6pm in the opening round of the 2023 2A State Tournament.

With the State Tournament beginning this Friday (3/3), many players from the 2023 class could potentially play their last games of basketball. Despite the harsh realities, there is still hope some players can garnish enough belief to be given a chance and play at the next level. Here are some players from the 2023 class that may have been glossed over.