Big Time Hoops 2026: Lights Out Shooting in Las Cruces

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Big Time Hoops Showcase exploded onto the scene Friday night at Las Cruces High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico. With 81 elite high school prospects from New Mexico and the greater El Paso area in attendance, Day One delivered electric energy, sharp shooting, and valuable off-court education.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The evening kicked off with a high-energy 3-Point Contest that drew nearly one-third of all participants. Each shooter had 60 seconds to drain as many three-pointers as possible from designated spots behind the arc — the corners, wings, and top of the key. The gym was alive with excitement as competitors battled for top honors in front of attending college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Big Time Hoops Showcase 3-Point Contest Results!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='893568' first='Alyssa' last='Trujillo'] (Belen HS) – 5'4” senior from Belen, NM. Energetic shooter who holds her follow-through and makes shots in rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2nd: </strong>Danika Sifuentes (Eastwood HS) – 5'7” junior from El Paso, TX. Kept her hands ready in the shooting pocket and never showed fatigue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1714946' first='Leiloni' last='Emm'] (Silver HS) – 5'6” sophomore from Silver City, NM. Showed good rotation on her shot, held her follow-through, and kept her hands ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lights out from deep in Las Cruces! These three sharpshooters put on an impressive show, with multiple players reaching double digits in makes. Congrats to the podium finishers on incredible performances!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='893568' first='Alyssa' last='Trujillo'], the 2026 3-Point Champion from Belen High School, shared what it took to stay locked in: “I was just trying to go fast, not worry about whether it went in, and stay focused on specific spots on the rim. I was basically praying the whole time that God would help me through the entire shooting experience.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On what the win means for her recruiting journey in front of numerous college coaches, she added: “It shows myself, the coaches, and the other players that I can run with these groups. All these girls are so good — it boosts my confidence and gives college coaches more confidence in me as well.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Director of the Big Time Hoops Showcase, Matt Abney, was impressed by the overall talent and atmosphere. “We had a lot of players in the double digits during the 3-point competition this year,” he said. “The energy was high, and it was great to see the kids competing to win.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shortly after the contest, the focus shifted off the court for the NCAA Eligibility Seminar. This valuable session gave players and their families practical knowledge about the recruitment process, eligibility rules, and the steps required to play at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abney emphasized why combining on-court action with off-court education is central to the event: “The reason we do this showcase is to help provide players with an opportunity to play at the next level. We also want these players to grow on and off the court. It's so important to be knowledgeable about every aspect of the next level, which is why we conduct the NCAA seminar.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 8–10 college programs from DII, NAIA, and JUCO levels in attendance (including New Mexico Highlands University, Western New Mexico University, Northern New Mexico College, and Lamar Community College), the message to prospects was clear and empowering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our biggest message is to just be yourself,” Abney shared. “Play your own game, be a good teammate, and have fun. It's common to feel like you have to step out of your role in environments like this, but the best success you can have is being the player you have always been.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day One set a strong tone for the weekend. The full round-robin tournament (4 games per team) continues on Saturday, giving all 81 prospects maximum exposure in front of college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether you're a prospect chasing the next level or a fan of New Mexico and El Paso girls basketball, the 2026 Big Time Hoops Showcase is delivering real opportunities, fierce competition, and lasting growth — all in one unforgettable weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event Details<br>Dates: March 27–28, 2026<br>Location: Las Cruces High School, Las Cruces, New Mexico</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->