Area Breakdown: Southern Top Shooters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ‘Area Breakdown' series is a subseries affiliated with the latest rankings update. Pinpointing players and their respective skills from specific regions within New Mexico.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For area purposes and article formatting, the South will consist of counties extending from Socorro to Curry, down to Lea &amp; Eddy county, then back to Dona Ana &amp; Hidalgo. Notable schools included are Deming, Hobbs, Lovington and Mayfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some the top shooters from southern New Mexico:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false,"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Players</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>School</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Year</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='467054' first='Aleena' last='Rodriguez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Eunice</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='467055' first='Nakia' last='Mojica']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hobbs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648194' first='Malaiya' last='Castro']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Lovington</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='814475' first='Lorrena' last='Viarreal']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Mayfield</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='888493' first='Jacqueline' last='Aguayo']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Deming</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='458556' first='Brynn' last='Hargrove']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Hobbs</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='391124' first='Jorianne' last='Mirabal']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Magdalena</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467054"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d218"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past season, Rodriguez became the Cardinals All-Time Leader in Three-Pointers Made (193) while also setting a new school record for Three-Pointers Made (72) in a single-season (2023-24).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez is a lefty 'sniper' who has hit some BIG TIME shots for Eunice over the past two seasons. Aleena has grown into a crafty shot creator and shot maker, due to an expanded role and the development of her overall game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467055"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d273"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mojica is one the deadliest shooters in New Mexico regardless of class and region. In 2023-24, Mojica became the Eagles All-Time Leader in Three-Pointers Made (130+).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'6" CG has a smooth stroke that extends to 22 feet. Furthermore, Nakia has great mechanics, keeps her hands ready in the shooting pocket and does a great job of staying balanced when rising up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In late July (7/25/24), Mojica was offered by Cottey College, a NAIA program located in Nevada, MO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648194"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d2b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For the 2023-24 season, Castro connected on 39 Three-Pointers -- the second most amongst the 2026 class -- at a 27 percent clip in 23 games played. The 2026 CG is a career 10.2 point per game scorer and 28 percent shooter from behind the arc, totaling 107 treys in 72 games for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Castro is a hard-worker, who maximizes her minutes on the floor thanks to her ability to play both on-ball and off-ball. Malaiya gives Lovington flexibility in terms of their sets and rotations but most importantly, provides much needed floor spacing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814475"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d2ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lorrena is a viable threat out on the perimeter, especially on catch &amp; shoot Three-Point Attempts. As a junior, Lorrena averaged 8.6 points, appearing in 25 games for Mayfield, where she registered 44 Three-Pointers, shooting 31 percent from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Entering her senior year, Viarreal has made 67 appearances at the varsity level, and is a career 30 percent shooter from deep, connecting on 63 Three-Pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888493"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d329"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past season, Aguayo emerged as a reliable no. 1 option who led Deming (16-11, 6-0) to a District 3-4A Title and an Elite Eight appearance for the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union Girls Basketball State Championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a junior, Aguayo was fantastic stretching the floor, particularly with the 3ball. In 27 games played, Jacqueline totaled 43 Three-Pointers, averaging 13.1 points, leading the Wildcats in both categories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["458556"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3e6690d364"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout her career, Brynn has been lethal in catch &amp; shoot situations, contributing time after time in the half-court for the Lady Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'6" PG, who is a Two-Time All-State Selection (Second Team: 2023 &amp; Honorable Mention: 2024) gets good lift on her jumper, has a fluid stroke and a high release point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["391124"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b29d73e3201"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past season, Mirabal led the No. 5 Steers (22-8, 9-1) to the Elite Eight in Class A for the 2024 Nusenda Credit Union Girls Basketball State Championships. In that game, Mirabal had a team-high 21 points (FG: 6/13 &amp; FT: 9/12) and six rebounds versus No. 4 Fort. Sumner/House, the eventual Champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior, Jorianne averaged 13.2 points in 28 games played, totaling 39 Three-Pointers on 30 percent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->