Tuesday Night: Primetime Players

<p>There are some very intriguing matchups across the state that feature some of the top players in their respective districts and classes. Let us take a look!</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Farmington @ Sandia -- 6 p.m.</h4>   <p>The hottest team in 5A, the Farmington Scorpions (15-1) who have won seven straight, hit the road for a district matchup with the Sandia Matadors (14-2). The Scorpions leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='391245' first='Kapiolani' last='Anitielu'], is a multi-faceted player averaging 16.1 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the field. More than just a scorer, Kapiolani is also grabbing 7.2 rebounds, dishing out 4.2 assists and collecting 4.8 steals per game. Younger sibling, [player_tooltip player_id='648195' first='Kjani' last='Anitielu'] who can space the floor is shooting 37 percent from behind the arc and averaging 8.4 points per game. </p>   <p>Leading the way for the Matadors is junior PG [player_tooltip player_id='391103' first='Sydney' last='Benally'], who is currently in the upper echelon of several statistical categories. The dynamic Benally is fifth is scoring at 19.4 points per game, tied for fourth in assists with 4.2 and 11th in steals at 4.1 per game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='357678' first='Olivia' last='Montano'] is a player to watch in this matchup. Although Montano comes off the bench, the SG is averaging 8.5 points per game but is shooting 43 percent from deep, where she has connected on 32 trey-balls. If Montano comes in and provides a spark, it turns the game in Sandia's favor. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Piedra Vista @ Eldorado -- 7 p.m.</h4>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='642723' first='Tyra' last='Holyan'] is having a tremendous season thus far for the Panthers (9-7) who are coming off a 13 point victory of Aztec. Holyan is currently averaging 15.4 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 3 steals, getting the job done on both ends of the floor. But does Piedra Vista have enough fire power to outduel [player_tooltip player_id='370329' first='Bella' last='Hines'] and the Eldorado Eagles (11-3). Hines leads the State in scoring at 34.1 points per game and is one of the most prolific 3-point shooters -- 3PM: 67 -- in the state who can create off the dribble. If in a rhythm, Bella can easily erupt for 40+</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Los Alamos @ Rio Rancho -- 7 p.m.</h4>   <p>As of 1/22/24, Los Alamos' [player_tooltip player_id='814472' first='GG' last='Romero'] is third in Scoring, averaging 21.2 points per game with splits on the cusp of 50/40/90 which is rare -- FG: 44% | 3P: 41% | FT: 81% -- Another player to watch for the Hilltoppers (9-7), is senior [player_tooltip player_id='635366' first='Abigail' last='Martinez'], who averages 9.1 points per game and 3.3 steals. </p>   <p>The Rams (11-5) -- who came in ranked no. 9 in the latest 5A Coaches Poll -- average 54 points per game and allow 42.7 -- [player_tooltip player_id='648192' first='LillyAnna' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='878758' first='Makenna' last='Lee'] are two players to keep an eye out for as they can slash their way to the basket and force the defense to collapse. </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">La Cueva @ West Mesa -- 6 p.m.</h4>   <p>The Bears (12-3) have one of the best 1-2 punches in New Mexico with [player_tooltip player_id='357673' first='Eva' last='Love'] and [player_tooltip player_id='648191' first='Jordyn' last='Dyer'], two All-State players capable of erupting for 20 or more points on any given night. This season (2023-24), Love is in the top 20 for scoring, assists and steals per game -- 19.2 PPG, 3.3 APG & 3.9 SPG -- while Dyer is having a terrific season herself. Jordyn is also in the top 20 of multiple categories such as scoring and rebounding -- 15.7 PPG & 8.5 RPG -- and has also averaged 2.3 assists and 3 steals. </p>   <p>Despite numerous injuries to their roster, the Mustangs (7-5) are still above .500 and have gotten production from the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='391121' first='Monique' last='Sena'] and [player_tooltip player_id='357723' first='Marsai' last='Martinez']. Combining for over 23 points per game, and 11 rebounds for West Mesa -- Sena: 13.2 PPG & 6.4 RPG | Martinez: 9.9 PPG & 4.6 RPG </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Gallup @ Bloomfield -- 7 p.m.</h4>   <p>As a team, the Bengals (11-5) are averaging 57 points per game and allowing just under 45. Gallup checks in as the no. 2 ranked team in the 4A Coaches Poll. Bloomfield (12-3), the no. 4 ranked team holds opposing teams to just 29 points a contest. The Bobcats also have one of the better rebounding tandems with [player_tooltip player_id='391243' first='Aliya' last='Quintana'], who is 4th in rebounding (11.8 RPG) and [player_tooltip player_id='357656' first='Danielle' last='Johnson'], who is 14th (9.5 RPG). In addition to their rebounding, the duo can also reach the double-digit mark for scoring -- Quintana (16.1 PPG ) & Johnson (10.7 PPG).</p>

There are some very intriguing matchups across the state that feature some of the top players in their respective districts and classes. Let us take a look!