Unstoppable 5A Duos: Who Will Rule the Court?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In basketball, a duo refers to a pair of players on the same team whose combined skills, chemistry, and impact elevate the team's performance beyond individual contributions. Dynamic duos often dominate games and break records.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These four back-courts represent the very best guard play New Mexico 5A has to offer heading into the 2025-26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648201' first='Lailah' last='Bouldin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1356317' first='Abrielle' last='Pavia'] (Albuquerque High)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bouldin and Pavia form one of the elite back-courts in metro Albuquerque and the entire 5A classification. Both are dynamic scorers with diverse offensive arsenals and lockdown defenders who set the tone on that end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'6” senior guard Bouldin has posted double-digit scoring in 44 of her 76 career games. The 5'7” point guard Pavia, a rising star in the Class of 2029, was the only player in her class statewide to shoot 40 percent or better from the field last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Together they powered the Bulldogs (21-6) to the District 5A-5 title and a <em>Round-of-16</em> berth under Coach Morrison, combining for 28.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 5.7 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648195' first='Kjani' last='Anitielu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='828810' first='Caris' last='Dale'] (Farmington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anitielu and Dale are arguably the most synchronized duo in the state. This Northern New Mexico tandem is fundamentally flawless, positionally versatile, and plays with rare chemistry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'8” shooting guard Anitielu is one of only six players in her class to surpass 1,000 career points and one of just three to make 100+ career three-pointers. The 5'9” wing Dale is one of only six players in the class to shoot 45 percent or better from the floor and one of seven to average at least 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Scorpions (23-7) captured the District 5A-1 championship and reached the <em>Elite Eight</em>, with the pair combining for 25.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 6.0 steals per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648191' first='Jordyn' last='Dyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1068215' first='Payton' last='Lobato'] (La Cueva)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyer and Labato are a perimeter nightmare for opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dyer, the consensus No. 1 player in New Mexico and a Pacific Tigers commit, is the state's most explosive talent and premier two-way force. She leads her class in total points, scoring average, field-goal percentage, double-doubles, and total rebounds. Lobato is an elite sharpshooter and selfless facilitator who continues to ascend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bears (22-8) rode their production all the way to last year's <em>Final Four</em> — the deepest run of any duo on this list — under Coach Cogan. Dyer and Lobato combined for 28.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1056575' first='Mialma' last='Zuniga'] and [player_tooltip player_id='648236' first='Jalysa' last='Hines'] (Volcano Vista)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zuniga and Hines have quickly become one of the most dangerous shooting-guard tandems in 5A. Both 5'7”, both lethal from deep, and both capable of swinging games with a single hot quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zuniga has drained 67 three-pointers in 62 career games at a 33 percent clip and currently owns the highest active three-point percentage in the Class of 2026 (minimum 60 games played). Hines poured in a career-best 10.3 points per game across 27 contests last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The duo helped the Hawks (16-12) earn a <em>Round-of-16</em> berth while combining for 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 steals, and an impressive 93 made three-pointers on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>**Statistics via MaxPreps**</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->