2023 Rankings: Stock Risers
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As we approach the midway point for the month of July, many players are either playing for their respective High Schools in summer Team Camps or have been competing on the travel circuit across various platforms for AAU ball (USJN,…
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Continue ReadingAs we approach the midway point for the month of July, many players are either playing for their respective High Schools in summer Team Camps or have been competing on the travel circuit across various platforms for AAU ball (USJN, PGH, SEB) over the last three months, which should be an indication that the players are getting their work in to improve their play from a season ago (2021-2022).
With the 2022-2023 season just a few months away, our scouts have come together to assess what we’ve seen so far (this spring and summer) and what transpired last season (how it ended) to update the rankings for the Class of 2023.
Check out below who has both impressed and progressed, that took the biggest jumps! (Numbers in front of players names indicates said players overall ranking)
#2. Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM
Las Cruces HS, Las Cruces, 5’5” Point Guard 2023
Previous Ranking: 8
Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM is an offensive threat with a quick first step who filled up the stat sheet a season ago for the Lady Bulldawgs. For her Junior campaign, Christiano’s stat line was a cool 14 points per game, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. If that was not impressive enough, Emma is fresh off a 5A All-State: 2nd Team Selection (2022) and was the District 3-5A Player of the Year (2022). Emma will look to grab 1st team honors this upcoming season and help take Las Cruces deeper into the 5A State Tournament advancing past the quarterfinals.
#3. Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM
Las Cruces HS, Las Cruces, 5’7” Guard/Wing 2023
Previous Ranking: 17
Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM is a 2-way slashing playmaker that can affect the game in multiple ways on either end of the floor. Lila is more than a willing passer but don’t mistake, she can handle the ball and create for herself, score inside/out – Ashida has a nice stroke from behind the arc and can finish inside the paint area where she is good at drawing fouls/knocking down free throws – and more importantly she shines as a help side defender with active hands and good instincts that creates constant pressure leading to multiple steals and deflections; Ashida does a terrific job of trapping & doubling from the weakside when she sees an opportunity. Look for Lila to increase her production from a season ago,12ppg & 6rpg as her and fellow teammate Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM should be one of the best duos next year in New Mexico. Lila is drawing collegiate interest from various levels: NAIA Park University (Arizona), JUCO’S Pima (Arizona) & Trinidad State (Colorado) and a D3 in Minnesota.
#4. Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5'6" | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM
Farmington HS, Farmington, 5’5” Point Guard 2023
Previous Ranking: 16
Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5'6" | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM is a floor spacing Guard that can light it up from behind the arc. Kamalani was a double digit scorer (12.3ppg) for the Lady Scorpions who finished the year with a record of 28-3 that featured a deadly trio of sisters: the Anitielu’s – Kiiyani (eldest), Kamalani, Kapiolani (youngest). Kamalani was a 5A All-State: 2nd Team Selection (2022) and has a very good chance of grabbing 1st team honors next year now that a bigger workload should be placed upon her as Lady Scorpions lost two their top three leading scorers to graduation.
#5. Gabby O’Hara Gabby O’Hara 5'5" | SF Bernalillo | 2023 State NM
Bernalillo HS, Bernalillo, 5’8” Guard/Wing 2023
Previous Ranking: 10
Gabby O’Hara Gabby O’Hara 5'5" | SF Bernalillo | 2023 State NM is a slashing playmaker and was a solid running mate to the 2022 Gatorade player of the Year, J. Aragon, on the 4A State Runner-up, Bernalillo Spartans. O’Hara nearly averaged a double-double on a 28-2 team with 11points per game and over 8 rebounds; Gabby did all the little things to hep the team, she made shots when needed, passed and rebounded on key possessions and played good defense all year long. O’Hara was a 4A All-State: 2nd Team Selection (2022) and is drawing Collegiate interest from the University of the Southwest (USW) a NAIA School in Hobbs, New Mexico. Gabby will look to lead the Lady Spartans back to the 4A State Tournament and capture another All-State honor.
#8. Evann Segura Evann Segura 5'10" | PF Moriarty | 2023 State NM
Moriarty HS, Moriarty, 5’10” Forward 2023
Previous Ranking: 12
Evann Segura Evann Segura 5'10" | PF Moriarty | 2023 State NM is an interior force offensively that can score in multiple ways; Segura can hit the mid range jump shot with good balance or use a one dribble drop step on the block against opposing forwards or smaller guards if she has a mismatch. Evann also has strong hands and is a well rounded rebounder who does a good job of identifying a body, boxing out and securing the weak side board. Segura was 4A All-State: 2nd Team Selection during her Junior campaign and will look to claim All-State honors again this upcoming season for the Lady Pintos.