The South’s Best: Players Owning the Court – Part Two

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part Two: Future Stars -- Remaining two from class of 2026 + two from class of 2027 + the 2028 standout</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 'Area Breakdown' series highlights top athletes and their exceptional abilities, celebrating the distinctive skills in each region. For area purposes and article formatting, the South will consist of counties extending from Socorro to Curry, down to Lea &amp; Eddy counties, then back to Dona Ana &amp; Hidalgo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Notable schools included are Clovis, Deming, Hobbs, Lovington, Mayfield, and Tucumcari.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Discover who's 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='893558' first='Avery' last='Henard']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Tatum</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='893557' first='Neysa' last='Gutierrez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cliff</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='901167' first='Faith' last='Linares']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Ruidoso</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='839427' first='Gianna' last='Cordova']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2027</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Clovis</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1068211' first='Hayley' last='Gutierrez']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2028</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cobre</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Table 1: Basketball players from Southern 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":["893558"],"_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-68f92c0fe513f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henard, a two-time all-state selection, was a driving force in the Coyotes' 2A State Championship run this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This energetic dynamo for Tatum is a relentless competitor on both ends of the court, buzzing everywhere to make play after electrifying play that sparks her team to victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893557"],"_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-68f92c0fe51ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gutierrez, a two-time all-state honoree for Cliff, brings a fierce competitive edge to the Cowgirls, fearlessly doing whatever it takes to secure wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She thrives in the trenches, delivering hard-nosed defense and battling ferociously on the glass to handle the dirty work that powers her squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901167"],"_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-68f92c0fe5204"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Linares, a dynamic playmaking junior Shooting-Guard and back-to-back all-state honorable mention for Ruidoso, stands out as one of just six players in her class averaging double figures over at least 40 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Across 54 games, she's posted 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting an efficient 41 percent from the field. In total, Linares has tallied 586 points, 190 rebounds, 122 assists, and 46 three-pointers, showcasing her scoring punch and savvy vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["839427"],"_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-68f92c0fe5256"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cordova, a slick junior Point-Guard for Clovis, is among the elite three-point shooters in her class, effortlessly stretching defenses with her range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In 62 games for the Wildcats, she's averaged 7.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, amassing 493 points, 130 rebounds, 117 assists, 114 steals, and a class-third-best 65 three-pointers that keep opponents on their toes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1068211"],"_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-68f92c0fe52a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meet Gutierrez, a prolific scorer brimming with unshakable confidence. She dominates for Cobre by relentlessly attacking the basket and thrives on a high usage rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading her class with an astonishing 766 points across 52 games, she averages a scorching 14.2 points per game, making her a fearless offensive engine who lights up the scoreboard night after night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->