The North’s Finest: Players Stealing the Spotlight – Part One

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Part One -- Guard Heavy Firepower</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 'Area Breakdown' series unleashes the fiercest players, highlighting their terrific skills and style across every region. For area purposes and article formatting, the north will consist of counties ranging from McKinley and San Juan to Union, San Miguel, and Quay. Notable schools included are Farmington, Gallup, Kirtland Central, Navajo Prep, Penasco, and Robertson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Get ready to cheer for the players ruling your region!</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>Player</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Class Year</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']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</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='648193' first='Rochelle' last='Lopez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Penasco</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='893556' first='Desta' last='Rose']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Logan</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648232' first='Jazzlyn' last='Gomez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Aztec</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='828810' first='Caris' last='Dale']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Farmington</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Table 1: Basketball players from Northern New Mexico, ordered by Graduating Class and Overall Ranking</figcaption></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":["648195"],"_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-69010863800d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anitielu is a dynamic scoring threat with elite footwork who seamlessly creates and converts shots with ease. The 5'8" shooting guard stays relentlessly active off the ball, impacting games beyond scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She is one of only six players in her class to eclipse 1,000 career points and one of three to drain 100+ three-pointers. In total, she has tallied 1,021 points, 401 rebounds, 249 assists, and 248 steals, including 107 made three-pointers. Across 88 games, she averages 11.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per contest, with shooting splits of 43/32.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648193"],"_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-690108638016a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lopez is a lightning-quick Point-Guard with explosive scoring abilities. Last season, she led the Panthers with 16.7 points per game, topping all juniors in the 2A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She ranks either first or in the top five across key categories, including total points, points per game, three-pointers made, total assists, assists per game, total steals, and steals per game. Over 110 career games, she has compiled 1,371 points, 479 rebounds, 255 assists, and 349 steals, with 135 made three-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A three-time All-State selection and 2024 2A State Champion, Lopez averages 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and an impressive 3.2 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893556"],"_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-69010863801d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rose is a dynamic two-way force and explosive combo guard, earning First Team All-State honors for two straight years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a junior, she dominated for the Longhorns, averaging 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a stifling 4.1 steals per game across 27 contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648232"],"_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-6901086380223"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gomez is a relentless whirlwind of energy, buzzing across the court with a nonstop motor. The dynamic playmaker scores from all three levels and locks down opponents with ferocious defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> In 80 games, she has notched 12 double-doubles while averaging 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a class-leading 4.1 steals per game. In total, Gomez has racked up 657 points, 408 rebounds, 333 steals -- the second-most in her class -- and 82 made three-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["828810"],"_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-6901086380267"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dale is a coach's dream: rock-solid fundamentals paired with an infectious, team-first attitude. Since breaking into the Scorpions' lineup during the 2022-23 season, the versatile guard has mastered every role asked of her. Now a dependable triple-threat, she scores efficiently, distributes with precision, and defends with tenacity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Across 66 games, Dale has piled up 589 points, 194 rebounds, 145 assists, 138 steals, and 71 made three-pointers. She averages 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, shooting a crisp 45 percent from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>But Wait -- The front-court and part two are coming…</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->