Regular Season Recap: 5A Standouts, Pt. 2

<p>It seems like the season has just started, and we have had a lot of ups and downs throughout the state during this weird yet very exciting season! With the season coming to a quick end, let's discuss some of the Standouts, Breakouts, and Players to Watch for the playoffs, and next season. </p> <p>Scott Mullin, 2022, Alamogordo: Mullin was arguably the biggest sleeper entering this season. The 6’2 wing is an explosive shooter that has been lighting teams up from beyond the arc all season! Selected to the All District 1st team, he will be a player to watch next year, and definitely will be climbing the class of 2022 rankings !</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076669" first="Jalen" last="Goar"], 2022, Hobbs: Goar has been playing Varsity for Hobbs since he was in 8th grade, and if not for a short season would have easily scored his 1000th point as a junior. He finished with averages of 17 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game while being selected to 1st team All-District for the second year in the row. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076624" first="Junior" last="Hodnett"], 2021, Rio Rancho: Junior is committed to play at Eastern New Mexico University next season. He averaged 14 points, and 2 assists, and 2 steals per game for the Rams who had a tough short season in a very difficult district. Junior is still one of the best players in the state, and I look forward to watching his journey!</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076668" first="Sean" last="Johnson"], 2022, Sandia: Sean stepped up big time this season leading Sandia to the playoffs as a 5 seed while averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds per game. He will win the District Player of the Year, and it should be interesting to see which division 1 programs decides to offer him first.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1076633" first="Josiah" last="Navarro"], 2021, Los Lunas: Navarro has burst onto the scene this season competing at the 5A level. He is a 1st team All-District selection after averaging around 16 points per game and leading Los Lunas to a 6 seed in the playoffs. He can shoot from beyond the arc, and is a slashing threat that gets to the basket almost at will. He can become a bit better of a playmaker, but I definitely think he has a chance to make it to the next level.</p> <p>PJ Lovato, 2022, Santa Fe: PJ has been the glue guy for Santa Fe since he was a freshman. He worked hard this past offseason becoming a true offensive threat while continuing to grab offensive rebounds, take charges, and dive on loose balls. Averaging around 14 points, and 8 rebounds per game this season he helped the Demons make it to the playoffs and scored 16 points in a tough matchup against Cleveland in the Quarterfinals. </p>