Stars in their Roles: Borderland Wings

As boys' high school basketball is set to tip off in El Paso this Friday and basketball in Southern New Mexico is set for next month, it's time to talk about some prospects who do not get enough love. I am referring to the role players, underappreciated starters, bench units, or players from lower-level districts or teams that do not get enough coverage. This story will be part of a three-part series breaking down the underrated prospects at the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/11/stars-in-their-roles-borderland-guards/">guard</a>, wing, and big positions. Here are some Borderland wings from El Paso, Texas to Las Cruces, New Mexico who will star in their role this season.    Every team needs a shooter and the Eastwood Troopers have one in [player_tooltip player_id='2557236' first='Edward' last='Avila']. The senior wing was a starter last season and proved to be a capable spot-up shooter from three, especially in the corner pockets. His role probably won't change much this season, but in terms of volume, he will probably get more minutes and more attempts as the Troopers lean on their senior talent. As a junior, Avila shot 34 percent from the 3-point line on 97 attempts in his first season of varsity play. The good thing for Avila is that he plays on a team with good playmakers and for a coach who runs good half-court sets, so the opportunities will be there. He had six games with three 3-pointers made in 2023-24, so he is more than capable of competently spacing the floor.     Patrick Delahoussaye is listed as a guard but at 6-0 his height will allow him to play all over the floor and in some situations as an off-ball wing for the Knights. Last season, he played in 27 of Organ Mountain's 31 contests on their state runner-up campaign at the 5A level. He was sixth on the team in scoring but that should change going forward. The Knights lost a lot of offensive production with their top two players graduating, so the opportunities to score will be there whether Delahoussaye is starting or coming off the bench. For this team to make another run to the state final, they need more production from the bench unit and newly incumbent starters. Delahoussaye will fill one of those roles, so his progression as a senior is pivotal.     He's not a bench player and he certainly won't be playing a small role this season but Jayden Herrera does play on a team with a prospect who is arguably the best player in the Borderland area. With that, Herrera will be secondary to what star player Azaiah Thompson does this season. Herrera has a stout frame and can hold his own in the interior. As a junior, he was third on the team in scoring and second on the team in rebounding and steals. Thus, he is arguably Ysleta's next-best option from a scoring, rebounding, and defending perspective. Yselta is moving down to 2-4A basketball from 2-5A, which this program should largely benefit from. If Herrera can take that next step as a prospect, this team might be in for a special run come district and playoff time.     Mikey Eason is another starter to make this list but he comes from a program on the rebound. He was the second-best player on a nine-win team last season but the Burges Mustangs should be more competitive this go around. Eason is a versatile forward with good athleticism, leaping ability, and a knack for grabbing rebounds. He showed some flashes as an interior scorer who can hit the occasional mid-range jumper. That said, he will be pivotal this season for Burges as a defender and rebounder. If he can produce at a high level in those areas, you will see a much improved Burges squad that will have a chance to win 12-plus games this season.     Devin Gonzalez is by no means a role player. He's arguably Mountain View's best returning player this season entering his junior year. He makes this list because he player on a smaller 2-4A program out in East El Paso that doesn't get a lot of coverage or exposure. Mountain View had an up-and-down 2023-24; struggling in pre-district play going 5-19 before finishing with a 7-1 district record in 2-4A. With a top former 2-5A program in Yselta moving down, the level of competition is going to improve mightily going forward. With that, Gonzalez and Mountain View have an opportunity to put themselves on par with that incoming talent and quality of play. Gonzalez has great height and length for his position and shows flashes of being a competent mid-range scorer. As stated, he's not a role player, but there is an opportunity for him to really announce himself this season as a legitimate prospect.

As boys' high school basketball is set to tip off in El Paso this Friday and basketball in Southern New Mexico is set for next month, it's time to talk about some prospects who do not get enough love. I am referring to the role players, underappreciated starters, bench units, or players from lower-level districts or teams that do not get enough coverage. This story will be part of a three-part series breaking down the underrated prospects at the guard, wing, and big positions. Here are some Borderland wings from El Paso, Texas to Las Cruces, New Mexico who will star in their role this season.