PHOTO by Lucy Limón

RIO RANCHO- The New Mexico high school girls basketball season is in full swing, and we are highlighting some players to know throughout the state. This is the first part in a three part series, and we will provide some statistics (if available) and insight into each player. MaxPreps was used as a reference for statistics, confirmation of position, spelling of names, and grade.

This list would not be possible without our sponsor, New Mexico Supreme Hoops. Here’s the rundown on New Mexico Supreme Hoops, “New Mexico Supreme Hoops LLC prioritizes basketball skills development and age-appropriate speed, agility, and strength training. Our team is led by a reputable licensed coach with a notable record of client success. Our June and July Camps are among the most popular. Please review the messages on our Facebook Page that showcase customer satisfaction: Click for NM Supreme Hoops Facebook “

Without further ado, here are our 10 players to know (no order).

1. Sandia point guard Kaiyah Benally (sophomore)-  

-Stats: 17.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 6.0 apg, and 7.0 spg

-Breakdown: Benally is special, and dominates just about every fiver of the game. Her instincts on defense lead to a ton of steals, and easy lay ups on open fast breaks. She has elite handles, finishing, and a textbook shooting release to make her a blue chip player in the state. 

2. Rio Rancho shooting guard/ point guard Madi Martinez (sophomore)-

-Stats: 21.7 ppg, 45% on FGs, 2.9 apg, and 3.9 spg. 

-Breakdown: You better get your popcorn ready when you watch a Rio Rancho game, Madi Martinez can light up the scoreboard at any given moment. Martinez is an elite shooter, and is averaging 20 plus points per game. Her game is well rounded, and when she gets a nice look, she’ll make you pay for it. Also, something that is pretty cool, Madi plays alongside her two sisters: Lilly Martinez and Larissa Martinez.

3. Albuquerque point guard Abby Pavia (freshman)-

Stats: 20.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.8 ppg, 4.5 spg, and .8 bpg. 

Breakdown: Pavia is pound-for-pound my favorite player in the state. She is aggressive in the paint, and consistently logs offensive rebounds that lead to crucial second chance points. Pavia has a high IQ of the game, a certain finesse when balling on the court, and is about as creative of a playmaker as they come.

4. Bernalillo center Trinity Calabaza (junior)-

Stats: 12.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, and 3.6 bpg.

Breakdown: Calabaza is a bully in the paint, and possesses just about every trait of a dream center. It has been a pleasure to see her game develop over the years, and her potential is through the roof. The Spartans are stacked with Calabaza, Samaria Brown, Jillian Lovato, etc., the point is, the Spartans are going to continue making noise this season. 

5. La Cueva combo guard Jordyn Dyer (senior)-

Stats: 23.2 ppg, 55% on FGs, 7 rpg, 5 apg, and 2 spg. 

Breakdown: The number one player in the 2026 class is a disciplined baller who can affect games in many different ways. Dyer is an elite scorer, and has some superb accuracy on passes. More importantly, Dyer’s character is outstanding, and her leadership is something to note on this feisty Bears squad.

6. Farmington shooting guard/small forward Kjani Anitielu (senior)-

Stats: 15.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.9 assists, 3.0 spg, and 0.9 bpg.

Breakdown: Anitielu is an elite scorer, and one of the best defenders in New Mexico. She’ll poke out a ball in a heartbeat, and quickly dash for an easy lay up. Technique, and savviness are all there. Another thing to note, her anticipation and her court awareness are testament to hard work in practice. 

7. Academy power forward/center Harper Dunn (junior)-

Stats (CORONA 2024-25): 22.2 ppg, 19.8 rpg, and 7.5 bpg. 

Breakdown: In the 2027 class, Dunn is a top 25 national ranked player (number 22 per ESPN), and holds 28 D1 offers. She is a rare talent with exceptional size, length, and athleticism. Bottomline, Dunn is a nightmare for players driving in the paint, and the best player to come out of New Mexico since Eldorado’s Bella Hines.

8. Kirtland Central shooting guard Allyson Tsosie (sophomore)-

Stats: 14.3 ppg, 3 rpg, and 4.3 spg. 

Breakdown: The 2025 First Team All-State player is an important gear to what makes the Kirtland Central Broncos one of the top contending teams in the state. A sound player in all facets of the game, and a selfless player that will do anything to help her team win. Her impact goes beyond the stat sheets.

9. Hope Chrisitan wing Abrianna Bishop (junior)-

Stats: 17.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 4.5 spg, and 0.8 bpg

Breakdown: Bishop is a disciplined defender, and has a nose for scoring in many different ways. She is a fantastic shooter, and has plenty of athleticism to be an alpha on a sneaky good Huskies team. Expect a ton of blocks, and 3 pointers from the talented junior player. 

10. Hobbs point guard Xoey Ross (8th grader)-

Stats: NOT PROVIDED ON MAXPREPS 

Breakdown: Xoey Ross is fast, elusive, and has some crazy good handles. She is a ton of fun to watch, and a player with an unstoppable motor. I like how she finishes, and what she offers as a tenacious defender. Ross is definitely a cornerstone of the Eagles basketball program, and I am excited to see her develop over the years.