Updated 2026 Rankings: Top New Additions (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier this week we revealed our updated (and final) 2026 rankings. Here are eight of the top New Additions to the list:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2821504' first='Myka' last='Candeleria'], Tohatchi</strong>: Averaged about 15 points and 5 rebounds per game for an undersized Tohatchi team that fought its way to the 3A quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champion St. Michael's. One of three Tohatchi players to average over 13 points per game. Tohatchi pulled off an upset in the district tourney championship game by snapping Navajo Prep's lengthy winning streak on the Braves' home floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3564185' first='Sebastian' last='Duty'], Santa Fe</strong>: The leader of the Demons, who emerged from a pile of teams to claim the No. 16 seed in the 5A playoffs. The 6-foot-5 Duty is an outstanding 3-point shooter, making him attractive to coaches on the next level. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2743220' first='Finley' last='Fitak'], Volcano Vista</strong>: One of the unsung heroes of Volcano Vista's run to its fifth consecutive Class 5A state championship. His buzzer-beating 3-pointer to stun Rio Rancho in February was one of the shots of the year. Did all the little things well. Scored, rebounded, capable shooter from beyond the arc and played excellent defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3564336' first='Edwin' last='Montelongo'], Highland</strong>: Another unsung hero who filled his role on the Class 4A champions perfectly. In the semifinals, he scored 8 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, buried a key 3-pointer and dished out 3 assists in the convincing win over Taos. Solid, all-around player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3564106' first='Mumin' last='Omar'], Del Norte</strong>: Helped the Knights win a state tournament game in about five years. Averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Proved he can score from all three levels. Excellent outside shooter, but also fearless in attacking the rim. Elite athleticism. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3525737' first='Spirit' last='Penn-Cook'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Like [player_tooltip player_id='2743220' first='Finley' last='Fitak'] (see above), Penn-Cook had a key role on the title-winning Hawks, and he did it very well. His stat line in the state championship game exemplified his importance to the Hawks: 9 points, 54 rebounds, 3-of-4 from the floor, 2 assists, 2 steals. He put together a lot of similar stat lines over the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nico Sanchez, Highland</strong>: Breakthrough Player of the Year in Class 5A. Sanchez went from not being on the Hornets' varsity roster in 2024-25 to one of the best players in the state. Highly productive. Led Highland in scoring (20.0 ppg), assists (4.9 apg) and steals (2.5 spg) along with finishing second in rebounds. Led the state in Points Per 32 (24.6). &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3563367' first='Kouliebchen' last='Tou'], Centennial</strong>: Even though Centennial, the District 5A-3 champion, lost in the first round of the state tournament, the 6-foot-7 Tou was sensational this season. He followed up a solid junior campaign in 2024-25 by averaging over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. Double-double machine late in the season when he scored 10+ points and grabbed 10+ rebounds in eight of nine games. Definitely a next-level talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big stage. Big win. 🏆<br>26 points. 11 boards. 3 blocks.<br>District Champs!! Proud of my squad fr 💯 <a href="https://twitter.com/HawkBoysBBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HawkBoysBBall</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JWEliteBasketba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JWEliteBasketba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTKThomas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTKThomas</a> <a href="https://t.co/k98ZWJlKCq">pic.twitter.com/k98ZWJlKCq</a></p>&mdash; Kouli tou (@KouliBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KouliBB/status/2026148206984515957?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">•2025–26 Season Highlights: Averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game; helped lead Del Norte to a 4th-place finish in 4A; District Champions; 1st Team All-District<a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RussellGurule?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RussellGurule</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops_NM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops_NM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelD34?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelD34</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_DevinB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_DevinB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTDurham11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTDurham11</a> <a href="https://t.co/Xm374ABfv3">pic.twitter.com/Xm374ABfv3</a></p>&mdash; mumin omer (@OmerMumin34633) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmerMumin34633/status/2034589011780727010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>            </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->