2024 State Championships: Players to watch from each 4A Team

The 2024 State Championships for girls' basketball begins later tonight with intriguing matchups taking place in the Round of 16. The top 8 seeds in the 4A class will each have an opportunity to have a home-game before relocating to 'The Pit' for the Elite 8, on March 12.   Keep an eye out for each one of these players listed below!   Kirtland Central Broncos | [player_tooltip player_id='1068199' first='Allyson' last='Tsosie']   Despite being in 8th grade, Tsosie is an integral part for the Broncos, helping Kirtland Central capture the No. 1 overall seed in 4A, with a 25-3 record. Allyson is extremely skilled for her age; She can break defenders down off the dribble and has no problem making tough contested shots. Tsosie is definitely a player to watch moving forward. KC hosts No. 16 Aztec at 6 p.m.   St. Pius X Sartans | [player_tooltip player_id='385929' first='Alyssa' last='Maes']   Maes is a senior SG committed to NMHU (New Mexico Highlands University). A Division II program located in Las Vegas, NM. The cowgirls are a member of the RMAC. Maes, an All-State guard, is a rhythm shooter that is deadly in the midrange area. Alyssa is comfortable rising over opposing guards, utilizing one or two dribble pull-ups, going left or right. SPX, the No. 2 overall seed, will host No. 15 Espanola Valley at 6 p.m.   Artesia Bulldogs | [player_tooltip player_id='888506' first='Hattie' last='Harrison']   Harrison is a versatile forward with great length. Listed at 5'11', Harrison is able to cover a lot of ground and is a tough matchup. Hattie can score inside/out as she is solid around the basket but is also capable of stepping out on hitting the 3ball. Artesia, the No. 3 seed, will face No. 14 Silver, in the Round of 16 at 6 p.m.   Gallup Bengals | [player_tooltip player_id='467051' first='Rylie' last='Whitehair']   Helping lead the way for Gallup was All-State Center [player_tooltip player_id='467051' first='Rylie' last='Whitehair']. A 6'0" junior with great footwork and touch. Rylie is comfortable operating with her back towards the basket and has no problem facing up and taking a jumper if the defender sags off and is not body-to-body. The Bengals finished with a 21-8 record, earning the 4 seed and will go up against Pojoaque Valley to start the State Tournament at 6 p.m.   Portales Rams | Myliegh Banda   Banda is a '3&D' type player for the Rams that possesses good length. The lefty SG does a phenomenal job contesting and blocking shots both out in the perimeter and in the restricted area. Myleigh is a knockdown shooter that excels in catch & shoot situations. Banda's two-way playmaking will be needed for the No. 5 Rams as they look to advance to the Elite 8, over the vsiting Hope Huskies who are the 12 seed. Portales vs HCHS at 6 p.m.   Albuquerque Academy Chargers | [player_tooltip player_id='648196' first='Addie' last='Spratley']   The Chargers, 20-6 overall, were the District 6-4A Champions. Led by sophomore Center, [player_tooltip player_id='648196' first='Addie' last='Spratley'] who has appeared in every game for the Chargers thus far, averaging 13.7 points, shooting 52 percent from the field. ABQ. Academy is the 6 seed and will face the No. 11 Deming, at 6 p.m.   Bloomfield Bobcats | [player_tooltip player_id='391243' first='Aliya' last='Quintana']   All season long, the Bobcats have gotten consistent play from their frontcourt lineup. The success was largely in part due the play by forward [player_tooltip player_id='391243' first='Aliya' last='Quintana'], a double-double machine who has the second most in the State (17). In 27 games played thus far, Aliya is averaging 15.7 points and 11.5 rebounds. Aliya and the No. 7 Bobcats will be facing Los Alamos, with tip-off at 6 p.m.   Valencia Jaguars | [player_tooltip player_id='391108' first='Jadyn' last='Montoya']   Jadyn led the entire 4A class in scoring, setting career-highs with 21.3 points per game and 510 total points. Montoya has been great off the bounce for the Jaguars, getting to her spots with a solid handle and even better footwork. In 83 career games, Montoya has 110 3PM. Valencia faces Lovington at home at 5 p.m. in a 8/9 matchup.   Lovington Wildcats | [player_tooltip player_id='391282' first='Elizabeth' last='Buendia']   Lovington checks in as the No. 9 seed with a 17-12 record. The Wildcats have had their fair share of close ball games this season, which shows they are battled tested, especially senior [player_tooltip player_id='391282' first='Elizabeth' last='Buendia']. A three-level scorer, averaging 16.4 points per game on 41 percent. Buendia has totaled 140 FGM with 27 being 3-Pointers. The 2024 CG is not afraid to take the big shot and has recently been offered by Austin College, located in Sherman, TX.   Los Alamos Hilltoppers | [player_tooltip player_id='814472' first='GG' last='Romero']   Romero the 4A leader in FGM (174) was tremendous behind the arc, connecting on 39 treys at an outstanding 44 percent clip. GG is a certified bucket, posting a cool 18.3 points for game for the 17-12 Hilltoppers, who are the No. 10 seed. Los Alamos will travel to Bloomfield and take on the No. 7 Bobcats.   Deming Wildcats | [player_tooltip player_id='888493' first='Jacqueline' last='Aguayo']   Although slotted as the 11 seed, Deming is one of the hottest teams in the State, regardless of class, winning their last nine games! The Wildcats were the District 3-4A champions and are currently 15-10. Junior SG [player_tooltip player_id='888493' first='Jacqueline' last='Aguayo'] has 309 total points, an average of 12.9 points per game, a team-high.   Hope Christian Huskies | Brookelynne Macias   Sanchez is a 5'8" senior that does a bit of everything for the Huskies. Macias can play multiple positions and is averaging 9.9 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals. Despite owning a below .500 record (13-15) HCHS is the 12 seed.   Pojoaque Valley Elkettes | Marisela Bowie   Bowie is a hard-working 5'8" forward who led Pojoaque Valley in PTS (181) RPG (6.1) and FGM (64). Marisela and the Elkettes are 15-13 overall, checking in at No. 13.   Silver Fighting Colts | [player_tooltip player_id='648229' first='Nyssa' last='Torres']   Torres, who earned an All-District selection this season, is a 5'7" sophomore guard, averaging 8.5 points per game and 7.8 rebounds. Defensively, Nyssa has good timing in regards blocking shots and anticipating passes. The Fighting Colts are 17-11 and are the 14 seed.   Espanola Valley Sundevils | [player_tooltip player_id='1054289' first='Alicia' last='Chavez']   Chavez is a physical on-ball defender that is a menace out on the perimeter. Chaves does a good job of creating fast break opportunities for the Sundevils by forcing deflections and arrant passes, leading to layups and or transition 3s. No. 15 Espanola Valley will need to be on their 'A-game' if they want get past SPX.   Aztec Tigers | Nika Mckenzie   With a 14-14 record, Aztec was able to claim the final spot -- the No. 16 seed -- in the 4A Tournament, getting the nod over the likes of Valley and Highland. The Tigers will face Kirtland Central for the fifth time this season, looking to capture their first win versus the Broncos. Nika Mckenzie leads the Tigers with 10.6 points per game, totaling 286 points.

The 2024 State Championships for girls' basketball begins later tonight with intriguing matchups taking place in the Round of 16. The top 8 seeds in the 4A class will each have an opportunity to have a home-game before relocating to 'The Pit' for the Elite 8, on March 12.