2024-25 Preview: Dynamic Duos in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-25 season for girls' high school basketball kicks off in less than 50 days. With that being said, let's take a look at the top duos in the 5A class that are either already established, in the making of or have the potential to materialize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Typically, 'Dynamic Duos' are teammates that can deliver a 1-2 punch. Players that compliment one another and that can carry the workload, if the other, is having an 'off-night' on either end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><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></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648195' first='Kjani' last='Anitielu'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='828810' first='Caris' last='Dale']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Farmington</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='391117' first='Jazlene' last='Ruiz'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='648234' first='Ceanna' last='McKines']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Mayfield</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648201' first='Lailah' last='Bouldin'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='828809' first='Kaelynn' last='Ashley']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Albuquerque High</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='642714' first='Teeya' last='Gordon'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='889713' first='Elizabeth' last='Needham']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Alamogordo</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='391320' first='Zaria' last='Gomez'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='648204' first='Daira' last='Solis Gutierrez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Manzano</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmington Scorpions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caris and Kjani have the potential to emerge as the top duo hailing from northern New Mexico, thanks to their abilities to impact the game on both ends of the floor but most importantly, thanks to their efficiency. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past season, Anitielu averaged 10.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Additionally, Kjani finished with the fourth most 3s amongst the 2026 class, netting 37 this past season. As for Dale, she put up a respectable 8.4 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the field overall. Moreover, Caris averaged 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game showcasing a complete game all-around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mayfield Trojans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayfield's tandem consists of a lockdown defender in Ruiz and a viable Double-Double threat in McKines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2023-24, Ruiz, a 5'5" point-guard, averaged an impressive 4.0 steals per game while posting 12.6 points in 28 games played. Jazlene is physical, has active hands and a terrific motor. Ceanna, the 5'11" forward, logged seven Double-Doubles as a sophomore. In 28 games played, McKines averaged 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds with 1.8 steals per game. Ceanna is a tremendous rebounder from the weak-side that requires at minimum, two bodies to box-out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque High Bulldogs </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering their second season under Head Coach Terri Morrison, Lailah and Kaelynn are a budding duo whose chemistry continues to grow with more and more time spent on the floor together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore, Lailah led the Bulldogs in scoring after averaging 14.0 points per game on 38/27 shooting splits. This past season, Bouldin also led the 2026 Class in 3PM, finishing with 42 on the year. With that being said, Bouldin is not just a shooter; The 5'5" shooting-guard is sneaky good at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the cup. In regards to Ashley, the 5'10" forward is a willing and capable defender who can also provide relief points around the basket. In 30 games played, Kaelynn averaged 9.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alamogordo Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The expectation is that the Tigers, will have one of the States more lethal front-court pairings in Gordon and Needham for the 2024-25 season. Two interior forces that can cause havoc against opposing teams, both on the glass and around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gordon, is a 6'1" center now in her senior year, while Needham is a junior power-forward listed at 5'11". This past season, Gordon appeared in 25 games for Alamogordo, averaging 12.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game logging seven Double-Doubles. Needham recorded nine Double-Doubles in 26 games played, putting up 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals, shooting 48 percent from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manzano Monarchs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flying under the radar is the back-court lineup of Gomez and Solis Gutierrez. The teams record overall, can blur the success that Gomez and Solis had this past season. Despite finishing under .500, both Zaria and Daira had a respectable season from a statistical standpoint individually.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solis Gutierrez is a selfless player and one of the top passers in the class of 2026. Daira did a solid job of distributing the rock this past season, dishing out 3.0 assists per game to go along with 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds. Her running-mate Gomez, is a rhythm shooter that can stretch the floor. As a junior, Zaria posted 13.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals. The 5'7" shooting-guard made 61 'treys' a season ago and has 112 for her career thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coupon Code</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enter code at checkout and receive $10 off your registration!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Code:&nbsp;<strong><em>MartinezPGH2024</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->