Welcome Aboard: Five Top New Additions To 2027 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday we released the updated 2027 rankings. Here are 5 Top New Additions to the ranking:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573645' first='Chase' last='Atkinson'], Oak Grove Classical</strong>: The 6-foot-4 Atkinson made a gigantic leap in production from his sophomore season in 2024-25 to last season when he averaged 21.5 points per game for the Owls. According to MaxPreps, he was the third highest scoring junior in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573796' first='Isaiah' last='Dan'], Kirtland Central</strong>: The Broncos struggled from a win-loss perspective this past season, but Dan individually had an excellent season. He averaged a team-high 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds. The good news for Kirtland Central is they return the top four scorers from 2025-26, so they won't lack for experience. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573852' first='Fede' last='Nunez'], Highland</strong>: In his first year on the Hornets varsity, the 6-foot-3 Nunez was a valuable contributor to Highland's Class 4A state championship run. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He had one of his best games of the season at the right time when he scored a team-high 17 points and drained three 3-pointers in the state championship game against Artesia. Highland's top returning scorer for 2026-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573873' first='Aaron' last='Torres'], Fort Sumner/House</strong>: Which of the five state champions this past season has the best chance of again lifting the blue trophy next March? It could be Class 1A champion Fort Sumner/House, which returns its top ELEVEN scorers in 2026-27. One of those players is the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Torres, who averaged a double-double this past season: 10.1 ppg and 10.5 rpg. Torres dominated the interior all season long. He had 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks in the state championship game win over Logan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573710' first='Homer' last='Walsh'], Mayfield</strong>: One of the unsung heroes who helped the Trojans reach the Class 5A state tournament for the first time in years. Then they gave #3 seed Rio Rancho all they wanted and more in the first round before falling. Walsh was Mayfield's leading scorer (16.7 ppg) and rebounder (5.6 rpg). He's also an excellent defender. One of those extremely valuable glue guys that does a lot of things well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3573710' first='Homer' last='Walsh'] has been putting up some great numbers this year. Here's the kids mid season mix!👀 <a href="https://t.co/uZ93jibEP2">pic.twitter.com/uZ93jibEP2</a></p>&mdash; Josiah Herrera (@captainclxtch3) <a href="https://twitter.com/captainclxtch3/status/2012999701302304866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->