5A District Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season is now at an end for girls' high school basketball with a majority of schools across the State knowing their respective places in each of their respective Districts. Some Districts have teams tied atop the standings and will need an extra game to decide who gets what seed in their District Tournaments. Here are the District Champions at the 5A level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District Champions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">1-5A: Volcano Vista </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks went a perfect 8-0 in District play with an average margin of victory being north of 31 points per game. Volcano -- 20-5 overall -- is the hottest team in 5A, having won 13 straight dating back to the beginning of January. Led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='357657' first='Taejhuan' last='Hill'] an Adams State signee, the Hawks are a team to keep a close eye on. Hill reached double-figures in seven of the eight games versus District opponents, posting a steady 17.8 points per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">2-5A: Sandia </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winners of their last four, and arguably winners of the toughest District in the State, the Matadors finished 9-1 in District 2. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='391103' first='Sydney' last='Benally'] averaged a cool 20.9 points per game in District play, helping Sandia get a first place finish and a 23-3 record overall. The dynamic PG had five games scoring over 20 points and even had a pair of outings where she registered double-digit rebounds -- 13 &amp; 15 rebounds versus Eldorado and La Cueva respectively -- showcasing her ability to effect the game in more ways than one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3-5A: Mayfield</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans, 21-4 overall, went 9-1 in District play, winning their last five thanks to their tenacious pressure defense. Mayfield only had one game where they surrendered 40+ points -- 47 to Organ Mountain in their lone district loss on Feb. 6 -- and on average only allowed 29.5 points per game! Two-way player [player_tooltip player_id='391117' first='Jazlene' last='Ruiz'] put up 11 points per game, 5.6 rebounds &amp; 4.0 steals giving the Trojans great play on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4-5A: Hobbs</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles, the no. 1 team in the State, and reigning defending State Champions, went undefeated in District play at 6-0. Hobbs is currently sitting at 23-3 overall, and are in the midst of a seven game winning streak! Their Big 3 -- [player_tooltip player_id='458555' first='Bhret' last='Clay'], [player_tooltip player_id='458556' first='Brynn' last='Hargrove'] and [player_tooltip player_id='467050' first='Kyndle' last='Cunningham'] -- proved to be too much for opposing teams as they each can score, rebound and defend at a high level. Clay is physical wing player that can slash her way to the basket. Hargrove is a floor spacer with good vision and Cunningham is a imposing front-court player that can dominate inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5-5A: AHS/Los Lunas</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The District 5-5A no. 1 seed is still up for grabs as the Bulldogs and Tigers split their two games, each getting a win on their home court. Both programs finished 9-1 in District play and will now play a deciding third game to determine the top team in the upcoming District Tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AHS (21-5) vs Los Lunas (18-8) at 7 p.m. Monday Night -- Neutral Court (Manzano High School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='648201' first='Lailah' last='Bouldin'], who missed the first meeting, is the clear first option for the Bulldogs. Bouldin is averaging 13.6 points per game &amp; 3 steals on the season, leading the team in both FGM (112) &amp; FGA (314).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='642725' first='Tessa' last='Jaramillo'], a physical guard with a tremendous motor, is a key player for HC Manny Vigil. Los Lunas likes to press full-court and looks to create fast break opportunities; IF Jaramillo is able to get steals and score in transition, the tides may be in the Tigers favor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->