Week 9 Standouts: Rising Stars and Future Phenoms

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While seniors set the tone, Week 9 also showcased the next generation of talent lighting up gyms across New Mexico. These underclassmen — juniors, sophomores, and freshmen — are proving they're ready for big moments right now. Here's who turned heads and raised expectations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player - School (Class Year)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='901168' first='Monique' last='Arrietta'] – Pojoaque Valley (2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elkettes overwhelmed Miyamura in a 45-35 victory, led by Arrietta's all-around excellence. The junior posted a game-high 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals — showing why she's a key piece moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1058922' first='Cambree' last='Benavidez'] – Tucumcari (2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benavidez delivered a massive double-double to power Tucumcari past Pecos (57-41). The junior scored at all three levels, finishing with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1068188' first='Kaiyah' last='Benally'] – Sandia (2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benally put on a show against the Bears, dominating both ends in a monster outing: 29 points on an incredible 69 percent shooting, plus 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 7 steals. Pure fireworks from this star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='839457' first='Madilynn' last='Martinez'] – Rio Rancho (2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martinez reinforced her status as one of the metro area's — and the 2028 class's — top talents. The dynamic sophomore exploded for 33 points to lift the Rams to a thrilling 55-54 win over Farmington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1648702' first='Aaliyah' last='Boies'] – Mesa Vista (2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boies continues to shine as one of northern New Mexico's premier two-way players. The standout freshman powered Mesa Vista to wins over McCurdy (45-34) and Escalante (54-28), averaging 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and a staggering 7.5 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lyla Mazon – Rehoboth Christian (2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman combo guard for the Lynx was electric, dropping a game-high 15 points and an eye-popping 9 steals to lead Rehoboth to a dominant 55-18 victory over Navajo Pine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These performances highlight the depth and excitement in New Mexico girls' high school basketball — stay tuned as district play intensifies!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->