New Mexico State Championships: Top Performers
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The New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament came to its conclusion this past Friday and Saturday for the championship games in the 1A-5A classes. We crowned 5 state champions and saw several great performances be put on display during…
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Continue ReadingThe New Mexico High School Basketball State Tournament came to its conclusion this past Friday and Saturday for the championship games in the 1A-5A classes. We crowned 5 state champions and saw several great performances be put on display during championship weekend.
1A Boys State Championship
#1 Magdalena defeated #2 Elida 71-55 to win back to back state championships for the second consecutive season in a row. This game was played Saturday March 12th at the Pit, at 6:00 pm. They were led by their star duo Joren Mirabal Joren Mirabal 6'2" | SG Magdalena | 2022 State NM and D’Shaun Vinyard. They combined for 51 points in the state championship game. D’Shaun scored a game high 30 points and recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds. Joren scored 21 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished 4 assists and shot 5/5 from the free throw line.
2A Boys State Championship
#5 Menaul defeated #2 Pecos 70-63 in the 2A Boys state championship. This game was played Saturday March 12th at the Pit, at 8:00 am. Menaul was led by their star big man, Maximus Mkpa. He recorded a monster double-double scoring 19 points on just 3/4 shooting but made it to the free throw line 18 times and making 13 of them. He grabbed a game high 23 rebounds and blocked 2 shots. Pecos was led by Isaiah Sandoval who scored a team high 17 points on 7/13 shooting from the field, he grabbed 8 rebounds off the glass and had a solid performance despite the championship loss.
3A Boys State Championship
#2 Robertson defeated #4 St. Michaels 65-56 to win the 3A Boys state championship. This game was played Saturday March 12th at the Pit, at 8:00 am. Robertson was led by Matthew Gonzales who scored a game high 26 points, shot 11/13 from the free throw line and grabbed 6 rebounds in the teams state championship victory. Mateo Contreras was the teams second leading scorer with 19 points, shot 8/14 from the field and 2/3 from three-point range.
4A Boys State Championship
#1 Highland defeated #11 Del Norte in the 4A Boys state championship. This game was played Saturday March 12th at the Pit, at noon. Highland was led by star big man Jose Murillo Jose Murillo 6'8" | C Highland | 2022 State NM who arguably had the best championship performance this weekend. He had a monster double-double scoring 40 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. He shot 16/24 from the field which was 67% from the floor, shot 8/11 from the free throw line and 7 of his 20 rebounds were offensive rebounds. He also blocked 3 shots around the basket. Despite the loss, Shane Douma-Sanchez Shane Douma-Sanchez 6'0" | PG Del Norte | 2023 State NM had a team high 36 points, shot 11/13 from the free throw line and gave it everything he had. The 2021 state champion helped push Del Norte to a comeback in the second half but came up short.
5A Boys State Championship
#2 Volcano Vista defeated #1 Las Cruces in the 5A Boys state championship. This game was played Saturday March 12th at the Pit, at 8:00 pm. Both teams came into this game undefeated and the top 2 seeds in the 5A tournament. Volcano Vista had three players score in double figures. Volcano Vista was led by Jakwon Hill Jakwon Hill 6'1" | CG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM who scored a team high 17 points, had 7 rebounds and shot 9/10 from the free throw line. He also hit two clutch free throws to force overtime late in the 4th quarter. Big man Sean Alter Sean Alter 6'9" | PF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM scored 15 points and was the teams second leading scorer and held his own against star big man Isaiah Carr Isaiah Carr 6'11" | C Las Cruces | 2022 State NM . Freshman Kenyon Aguino Kenyon Aguino 6'7" | PF Volcano Vista | 2025 State #257 Nation NM was the teams X-Factor in the game. He came in right off the bench and scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds on 5/9 shooting from the field and made 3/4 three pointers.