Prep Girls Hoops New Mexico: Preseason 5A All-State Predictions
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The New Mexico High School Coaches Association are the ones who select and determine the Girls All-State Teams. They have been doing this since 2009, Athletes are first nominated by their head coach and ranked by all head coaches in…
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Continue ReadingThe New Mexico High School Coaches Association are the ones who select and determine the Girls All-State Teams. They have been doing this since 2009, Athletes are first nominated by their head coach and ranked by all head coaches in that respective classification. There is a First Team All-State and a Second Team All-State consisting of eight players each. There are sixteen total players selected from both teams consisting of Guards, Forwards and Centers. This article will give our predictions for the All-State Teams, The 5A Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
5A Player of the Year: Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM “Eldorado”
Defensive Player of the Year: Leilani Love “Albuquerque”
Coach of the Year: Lisa Villareal
Freshman of the Year: Jordyn Dyer
Guard: Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM “Eldorado”- The top player in New Mexico was selected to Second Team All-State last season and was the second leading scorer in New Mexico last year.
Guard: Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM “La Cueva”- The top player in the 2024 Class is a returning selection from the 2022 All-State Second Team. She played a huge role in La Cueva reaching the 5A State Semisfinals.
Forward: Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM “Centennial”- The Senior Small Forward was the leading scorer on the Hawks last season while leading them to the 5A State Quarterfinals last season.
Forward: Kapiolani Anitielu Kapiolani Anitielu 5'10" | SF Farmington | 2024 State NM “Farmington”- The Farmington Forward was selected to the 2022 All-State Second Team last season as a sophomore and is a solid pick to make the selection again this year.
Center: Leilani Love “Albuquerque”- The best Big in New Mexico was selected to Second Team All-State last season. She comes into this year in the discussion as arguably one of the best players in NM.
Guard: Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM “Sandia”- Made Second Team All-State as a freshman and quickly emerged as one of the top two-way players in New Mexico last season.
Forward: Ema Rose Ema Rose 5'11" | PF Gadsden | 2023 State NM “Gadsden”- A double-double machine that was responsible for much of Gadsden’s success last season.
Center: Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM “Volcano Vista”- Already a Two-Time State Champion going into her junior year; Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM was selected to First Team All-State as a sophomore last season.
Guard: Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM “Las Cruces”- An all-around Point Guard who continues to get better each year for the Bulldawgs. While leading them to the 5A State Quarterfinals, Emma was selected to Second Team All-State.
Guard: Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5'6" | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM “Farmington”- A returning varsity starter and the teams second leading scorer last season. Kamalani Anitielu Kamalani Anitielu 5'6" | PG Farmington | 2023 State NM will be the new face of the Scorpions this season as a Senior and was selected to Second Team All-State last season.
Guard: Bhret Clay Bhret Clay 5'9" | SG Hobbs | 2025 State NM “Hobbs”- After a successful freshman year and playing a huge role in helping Hobbs reach yet another State Championship game, Bhret Clay Bhret Clay 5'9" | SG Hobbs | 2025 State NM has already started receiving interest to play college basketball at the next level.
Forward: Kindyll Cunningham “Cleveland”- The Junior Forward looks to carry her success from last season into this year for the Cleveland Storm.
Center: Caitlin Turnbow Caitlin Turnbow 5'10" | PF Organ Mountain | 2024 State NM “Organ Mountain”- A double-double threat that will see her production increase with more touches and opportunities this season.
Guard: Brynn Hargrove Brynn Hargrove 5'6" | PG Hobbs | 2025 State NM “Hobbs”- A freshman that made quite the impact for Hobbs during their championship run last season that will continue to do so this year.
Guard/Forward: Hope Giddings Hope Giddings 5'8" | SG Sandia | 2025 State NM “Sandia”- A combo guard that can space the floor with her shooting and with improved playmaking.
Forward/Center: Tayden Hanks Tayden Hanks 6'0" | PF Los Lunas | 2023 State NM “Los Lunas”- A versatile forward that can also play the five spot. Solid at getting to the basket as well as stretching the floor on the perimeter from outside.