Impressive Early Starts in New Mexico Girls’ Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just a few weeks into the 2025-26 basketball season, and the talent across the Land of Enchantment is already shining bright! From dominant post play to sharpshooting and lockdown defense, these standout players are turning heads and leading their teams with electric performances. Here's a spotlight on some of the hottest starts so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>**Players listed in order by graduating class**</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648234' first='Ceanna' last='McKines'] - Mayfield (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKines has been a powerhouse in the paint for the Trojans (2-2). She's averaging an impressive 23.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game, consistently delivering at least 17 points and 6 rebounds in every outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221578' first='Courtney' last='Craig'] - Crownpoint (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Craig is absolutely tearing it up on both ends of the floor! The dynamic forward has already notched two double-doubles and a triple-double for undefeated Crownpoint (3-0). Her stat line? A ridiculous 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 7.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648191' first='Jordyn' last='Dyer'] - La Cueva (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's top-ranked player and Pacific commit is living up to the hype. Dyer has scored in double figures in all three games for the Bears (2-1), including a 30-point explosion. She's putting up 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting a scorching 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234249' first='Jema' last='Ganadonegro'] - Magdalena (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ganadonegro's jumper is on fire — especially from deep! She's drained 14 three-pointers already for unbeaten Magdalena (5-0), averaging 17.6 points to go with 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. Her shooting splits? A sharp 41 percent from three and 41 percent overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648198' first='Taylianna' last='Castillo'] - Silver (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a big offseason with multiple college offers, Castillo is the go-to scorer for Silver (2-2) — and the only Colt in double figures. She's delivering 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game with her signature intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648209' first='Jaiden' last='Montgomery'] - Valencia (Class of 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery brings nonstop energy every time she steps on the court. Through six tough games for the Jaguars (4-2), she's averaging a steady 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.8 steals — pure hustle and heart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aaliyah Boies - Mesa Vista (Class of 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This freshman is already one of the state's premier two-way threats! Boies is stuffing the stat sheet for Mesa Vista (3-0) with 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and an eye-popping 8.7 steals per game. She's grabbed at least 6 steals every outing, including a double-double.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jillian Lovato - Bernalillo (Class of 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovato has been a spacing and playmaking wizard for the undefeated Spartans (4-0). She's knocked down 10 three-pointers while averaging 12.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 steals — shooting a blistering 45 percent from deep and 44 percent overall. (The rest of her team has just 7 triples combined!)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356317' first='Abrielle' last='Pavia'] - Albuquerque High (Class of 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pavia is the engine driving Albuquerque High's strong start (2-0). Coming off a monster 31-point, 10-rebound performance against Cibola, she's averaging 24.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 steals per game at an efficient 50 percent from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eliana Chavez - Mountainair (Class of 2030)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even on a young Mountainair squad (1-4), this eighth-grader is a double-double machine — racking up four in just five games! Chavez is posting 16.2 points and a team-high 12.2 rebounds, plus 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game at 52 percent shooting, including two 20-point explosions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players are setting the tone early — New Mexico girls basketball is loaded with excitement this season! Who are you watching?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>**Statistics via MaxPreps, checked on 12/10/25**</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->