2023-24 Player Superlatives (Players I’ve Seen This Season)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='1687821' first='Jesus' last='Licon'], Highland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Licon has had a historical season in terms of offensive production. He finished the regular season averaging 30.2 PPG on 43/39/87 splits and 132 made three-pointers on the season, which ranks #11 nationally. He's had multiple 40-points performances including a 54-point explosion against St Pius X on 12/29/23. His ability to get open off-ball allows him to get whatever shot he wants, and his shot-making off the dribble or the catch is second to none. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Post Player: [player_tooltip player_id='1176300' first='Kenyon' last='Aguino'], Volcano </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aguino has been as close to unstoppable as a player can get this season. His touch around the rim is college-ready, and he's grown tremendously as a prospect. Aguino has become stronger with the ball in his hands, and his physicality against heavy pressure in the paint has gotten better. He's able to pass out of double-teams with ease and smartly, creating for his teammates, and he's able to provide instant offense no matter the situation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Passer:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1897896' first='Noah' last='Perry'], Hope Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry has court vision and patience that is hard to find in the state. He's as pure of a point guard as one can find in New Mexico and seemed to only get better as the season went on. The Huskies really hit their stride late in the season, and Perry was the catalyst for everything they did on the offensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Ball-Handler: [player_tooltip player_id='2147581' first='Nojus' last='Zalenekas'], Menaul</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zalenekas is a magician with the ball in his hands. The creativity he has with his dribble moves and the confidence he has in his handles are what make him so special as a player. No matter the predicament his team may be in, he always keeps a level-head and remains a leader on the floor. Zalenekas is also great at creating for himself and others off the dribble, and is a 15-5-5 threat every time he steps foot on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Defender (tie): [player_tooltip player_id='1295236' first='Raul' last='Stanford'], Highland and [player_tooltip player_id='1903316' first='Cole' last='Baca'], Cibola</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to just pick one out of these two, as they both are premier defenders in their own right. Stanford has been known for his defensive prowess, his twitchiness and quick hands have turned him into one of the peskiest on-ball defenders I've ever seen. He's been the anchor of Highland's defense for the entirety of his career. Baca burst onto the scene this year with his physicality and lateral agility. His ability to stay in front of his man and wreak havoc on ball-handlers has made him invaluable to Cibola as he faces some of the toughest teams in the state in district play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Individual Performance: [player_tooltip player_id='1176300' first='Kenyon' last='Aguino'], Volcano vs. Cleveland 12/16/23 - 33 pts 15 reb, 6 ast, 2 blk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the championship of the Phil Griego Invitational at Cleveland High School, Aguino put his team on his back and had one of the most incredible second halves of basketball I've ever seen to lift the Hawks over the Storm. His presence alone affected the game in numerous ways, but the effort and physicality he showcased were what put Volcano over the top in the end. Aguino's ability to finish the rim in any fashion was on full display, and he showcased his court vision as well when the defense collapsed on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->