Area Breakdown: Southern Top Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area breakdown series provides a closer look at the latest updated rankings. <br>For area purposes and article formatting, the south will consist of counties extending from Socorro to Curry, down to Lea &amp; Eddy county, back to Dona Ana &amp; Hidalgo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='458555' first='Bhret' last='Clay'] | 2025 | Hobbs | Class Rank: 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the States best when it comes to putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. Clay is tremendous at creating angles and has a knack of getting to the charity stripe. A now State champion and All-State Selection, both coming this past season for the Hobbs Lady Eagles, Clay is without a doubt one of the South's top players and is in the upper echelon of talent throughout NM. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='357650' first='Caitlin' last='Turnbow'] | 2024 | Organ Mountain | Class Rank: 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bruising frontcourt player that gets great post position - one or two feet inside the paint area - who can score in bunches. Averaged north of 17 PPG for the Lady Knights. Turnbow is also one of the better rebounders in NM, collecting over 10 per contest. This past season Turnbow racked up 19 double-doubles in 27 games played, the third most recorded. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='458556' first='Brynn' last='Hargrove'] | 2025 | Hobbs | Class Rank: 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A perimeter threat that is primarily good on catch and shoot 3-point attempts. Hargrove has great range and a fluid shooting motion that allows her to stretch the floor for the Lady Eagles with ease. Like Clay, Hargrove was an All-State Selection this past season for the eventual State Champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='357695' first='Zarai' last='Lewis'] | 2024 | Clovis | Class Rank: 8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An intriguing scorer that uses her size and length to shoot over smaller defenders. Lewis, who totaled 415+ points on the year, can score in the midrange and down in the lane. Lewis is the clear first option on the Lady Wildcats and has the green light to operate, highlighted by her 139 FG attempts where she shot close to 40%. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='357694' first='Yvanna' last='Villareal'] | 2024 | Organ Mountain | Class Rank: 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical player that looks to get down court and into the lane, both in the half-court and in transition. Has the ability to breakdown defenses and create. Averaged over 11 PPG for Organ Mountain and serves as a 1-2 punch for the Lady Knights alongside Turnbow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='467050' first='Kyndle' last='Cunningham'] | 2025 | Hobbs | Class Rank: 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive anchor for the reigning State Champions that is a solid PnR (Pick'n'Roll) defender and shot blocker. Cunningham has great length and strength and is not afraid to battle inside. Communicates well and understands defensive rotations. Core member of the State Champion Eagles that has recently been offered by Western New Mexico University. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='357658' first='Adrianna' last='Audi Torrez'] | 2024 | Centennial | Class Rank: 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Potentially the next player to have a monstrous season under Hawks Head Coach Matt Abney. Adrianna is a long, athletic two-way forward that has the skillset to be a number one option. Torrez can score inside/out, move without the ball and can get a stop on the other end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='467053' first='Jayla' last='David'] | 2025 | Hobbs | Class Rank: 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A valuable glue piece for the Hobbs Lady Eagles. David is a high energy, high motor player that displays a tremendous will to win. Hobbs may not be the reigning Champions if it was not for David who stepped up and provided meaningful minutes alongside a few others in the Title game vs Volcano Vista. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='560956' first='Gracie' last='Odom'] | 2024 | Melrose | Class Rank: 17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough competitor that contributes to winning basketball on both ends of the floor. A 2X All-State Selection that helped lead Melrose to 48 total wins over the last two seasons, which includes a 26-2 record this year, resulting in the No. 1 overall seed in 1A and a Final Four finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='560957' first='Faith' last='Jasso'] | 2024 | Dora | Class Rank: 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jasso is a fundamentally sound player that has a good feel and pace to her game. A 2X All-State Selection for the Lady Coyotes that continues to excel. Jasso and the Dora Coyotes will look to build upon their Elite 8 appearance and advance further this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='525623' first='Elizabeth' last='Buendia'] | 2024 | Lovington | Class Rank: 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring threat that is also a willing passer. Buendia is a playmaker for the Lovington Wildcats that can create shots for herself and for her teammates. Comfortable operating in the midrange but will also hit the 3ball if given space. Buendia has good footwork and a smooth looking pull up jumper. Averaged 13 PPG in 26 appearances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='648194' first='Malaiya' last='Castro'] | 2026 | Lovington | Class Rank: 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone player from the class of 2026 to make this list, Castro is a promising player particularly on the offensive end. Castro does a good job of playing within a system and knows how to get to her spots. A double-figure scorer -10.1 PPG - that is a corner specialist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='467055' first='Nakia' last='Mojica'] | 2025 | Hobbs | Class Rank: 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sharp-shooter that is quickly becoming one of the States best in that category. Mojica has a quick release and does not turn down looks she deems good. Stays in rhythm and always has her hands ready. A deadly weapon for Hobbs who are now eyeing back-to-back State Titles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. Neveah Benjamin | 2025 | Mesilla Valley Christian School | Class Rank: 20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring threat that can put the ball in the cup with ease. Last season, Benjamin registered three separate streaks of at least five straight games, where she recorded double-figures. Benjamin also scored 20 or more points in six instances for the SonBlazers showcasing she can carry a team on her shoulders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='467054' first='Aleena' last='Rodriguez'] | 2025 | Eunice | Class Rank: 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lefty sniper that connected on 59 3PM this past season. Rodriguez is fundamentally sound and is a well-rounded player who averaged 12.4 PPG for the Cardinals while also posting 5.3 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.7 SPG &amp; 1.4 BPG. The potential for those numbers to increase, is there. Time will tell if its comes to fruition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Stats via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->