The Top Defensive Stoppers In New Mexico!
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Most basketball fans just focus on the scoring and not the other aspects in the game, one of those aspects is the ability to play defense. Not everyone is a great shooter, not everyone has speed like others and not…
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Continue ReadingMost basketball fans just focus on the scoring and not the other aspects in the game, one of those aspects is the ability to play defense. Not everyone is a great shooter, not everyone has speed like others and not everyone is naturally gifted, but if you have the mindset to play defense anyone can do it. Defense is a choice and a skill that anyone can acquire with hard work and determination over time.
Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM has so many great traits on the offensive end but her defense is arguably the best part about her game. She has been on record saying “I’m the wall, I’m gonna make it hard for you and I love it” via social media. Defense is a choice and she is a high level player who takes pride in guarding the opposing team’s best player. Sydney takes as much pride in her defensive game as much as her offense. Last season she averaged an impressive 2.6 steals per game which was among the best in the state last year.
Despite her size, Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM can hold her own among other opposing guards in New Mexico. At the point guard position you have to be prepared to play both ends of the floor or get ready to be embarrassed. She is the definition of an all-around player, and is best known for her offense by scoring and passing the ball. But she is just as good on the defensive end and knows how to create chaos for opposing offensive players on the defensive side of the floor. Emma was tied for 10th in New Mexico averaging 3.8 steals per game and was one of the biggest pests in New Mexico last year.
Highlights
Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM is a wing player who has an all around game with her scoring and rebounding, but is a impactful player on the defensive side of the ball. She knows how to rack some steals in the passing lanes and pick pocket offensive players who are too loose with the ball. Her efforts on that side of the floor saw a lot of success last season. Aspen averaged an impressive 3.1 steals per game which was among the the best in the state last year. Her defensive intangibles helped turn many forced turnovers into points on the other side of the floor.
Ema Rose Ema Rose 5'11" | PF Gadsden | 2023 State NM from Gadsden High School was arguably the top power forward last year especially on the defensive side of the ball. She is what you would call a “stat sheet stuffer” with her all around game. Ema was a near double-double player from scoring and rebounding last season, but her defense doesn’t get talked about enough. She led the state in blocked shots per game averaging 3.9 per game. Ema had great anticipation and timing around the rim and in front of her matchup. She had a presence on the floor where once she blocked your shot, you would think twice about getting another shot up around her. Even as a Power Forward she racked up 2.7 steals per game which is impressive for any position on the floor.
Leilani Love from Albuquerque High is the top rated Center and player heading into the 2022-23 regular season. She was a double-double machine virtually every night out last year with her scoring and rebounding, but was among the best at her position defensively. Leilani was quick on her feet and moved around the floor well for her size. She is a two-way player that makes it extremely difficult to score on inside the paint where she averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season which was in the Top 5 in New Mexico last year. It was really impressive to see her average 2.3 steals per game as a Center last season also.
Evann Segura Evann Segura 5'10" | PF Moriarty | 2023 State NM had a solid junior year for Moriarty High School last season. She averaged an impressive 11 points and 8 rebounds per game but was just as solid on defense for Moriarty High School. As a 5’10 Power Forward, she was an amazing shot blocker who averaged 1.7 blocks per game and was in the Top 10 in blocks last season in New Mexico. She is a versatile big that can play the five spot, with her great defensive abilities.