Class 5A: Five Players Ready To Step Up In 2026-27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2026-27 New Mexico High School basketball season is just over two months away. Here are five players ready to step up and take over for their teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381046' first='Christian' last='Covarrubia'], Mayfield</strong>: If the Trojans want to return to and make a deeper run in the Class 5A state tournament next March, they need Covarrubia to step up. He enjoyed a superb summer on the AAU circuit and looks to carry that momentum forward. Averaged 8.7 points per game last season. I'm sure he aspires to push that number into double digits. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2822061' first='Payton' last='Fuller'], La Cueva</strong>: Fuller immediately became La Cueva's top returning scorer when [player_tooltip player_id='3581634' first='Drew' last='Bramlett'] transferred to ABC Prep. He'll be counted on to produce in several area, particularly scoring in transition and 3-point shooting. He spent a good chunk of the summer improving the latter. He hopes all that work starts paying off in a couple of months. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luis Gonzales, Volcano Vista</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn']'s decision to leave New Mexico and go play for a prestigious prep school in Boston leaves Gonzales as the Hawks' new team leader. He has plenty of big game experience and was one of Volcano Vista's unsung heroes during their title run last March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3573739' first='Nathaniel' last='Peete'], Organ Mountain</strong>: Ther Knights' top scorer graduated, so it will be up to Peete to pick up some of the scoring load. Averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2025-26. He may be asked to step out and shoot more from beyond the arc, as well as boost his percentage from the FT line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2919518' first='Jordan' last='Rivera'], Cleveland</strong>: Rivera brings impressive size (6-foot-6) to the Storm lineup, which is full of smaller dynamic athletes. Rivera picked up his play in the latter part of the 2025-26 season and was instrumental in the Storm's run to the 5A state championship game. He proved last season he can knock down 3s when asked, shooting an impressive 42 percent from beyond the arc. If he puts it all together, watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ChristianCova21/status/2085059929321378245","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ChristianCova21/status/2085059929321378245 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PFuller2027/status/2098566968693633125","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PFuller2027/status/2098566968693633125 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2091704974359277742","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JordanRive85477/status/2091704974359277742 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->