Farmington’s Benally commits

Patience Benally

More great news on local New Mexico talent. Farmington’s Patience Benally has signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University.

Benally’s athletic and academic achievements are numerous; 2X All-District Selection in 1-4A, 3X Team MVP, Navajo Times All-Star 09-10, Scholar Athlete Award winner, Fighting Heart Award 09-10, and making the All-Academic Team her entire high school career. She ends her prep career having tallied over 1,100 points.

Kansas Wesleyan University, located in Salina, KS, plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Lady Coyotes are lead by Gordon Reimer, who took the Lady Coyotes from 5-24 in the 2004-05 season to a 27-6 season in 2008-09 to advance to the NAIA Divsion II National Championships.

Congratulations, Patience!

Related Links:

Kansas Wesleyan University Women’s Basketball

2010 All-State Selections

Class 5A

First Team

Ebony Walker Sandia
Korina Chapman Cibola
Kya De Garmo Eldorado
Antiesha Brown Clovis
Andrea Aragon Las Cruces

Second Team

Jade Brown Las Cruces
Cami Boal Sandia
Amber Battle Cibola
Angel Reyes Valley
Elena Martinez-Velasquez Sandia

Class 4A

First Team

Taylor Ealey Los Alamos
Shanice Steenholdt Roswell
Nisa Duran Española Valley
Elisha Levington St. Pius
Amander Kerr Kirtland Central

Second Team

Schylar Malone Volcano Vista
Meghan Yazzie Kirtland Central
Olivia Harris Kirtland Central
Candace Pollard Artesia
Kalen Henderson Shiprock

Class 3A

First Team

Mystica Perez Lovington
Jenine Coriz Santa Fe Indian
Linda Esquibel W. Las Vegas
Roxanne Silva Socorro
Miranda Medina Santa Fe Indian

Second Team

Miranda Martinez W. Las Vegas
Tamara Quintana St. Michael’s
Tana Boyd Miyamura
Danessa Grover Hope Christian
Macy Mitchell Portales

Class 2A

First Team

Victoria Richards Texico
Jaylyn Cooper Texico
Jordyn Cooper Texico
Katlin Luscombe Texico
Renae Roybal Santa Rosa

Second Team

Sara Tapia Santa Rosa
Demetria Clichee Navajo Pine
Shannon Van Matre Texico
Samantha Romero Santa Rosa
Samantha Dunnahoo Hagerman

Class 1A

First Team

Tori Tucker Floyd
Mariah Peralta Cliff
Cassidy Doherty Des Moines
Nicole Hardy Magdalena
Kelli Merrick Dora

Second Team

Tanna Whitecotton Floyd
Reavis Best Elida
Keanda Chavez Magdalena
Jenna Jenkins Cliff
Molly Rush Grady

Aragon signs with NMJC

Surrounded by family, Andrea Aragon signs her letter of intent.

Andrea Aragon, the prolific Las Cruces High shooting guard, has signed to play for New Mexico Junior College in the 2010-11 campaign.

Aragon lead the Lady Bulldawgs in 3-point field goal percentage, assists, deflections and steals over the last two years. She also finished up her prep career with a total of 1,060 points, second in state history, according to the NMAA.

Good luck, and congrats, Andrea!

Mariah Peralta signs with Western New Mexico

Written by Tana Holtorf, Western New Mexico University Athletic Department

Peralta, a guard from nearby Cliff, New Mexico, will bring leadership to the squad next season. At Cliff High School, Peralta led the team to a 30-1 record during her senior season and a district championship. Last month her team played in the New Mexico Class 1A championship game.

In 2010, Peralta was named to the District 5 All-District First Team, New Mexico High School Coaches Association South All-Star Basketball Team, District 1A All-State First Team, and All-Tournament Team at the Cowgirl Invite. This season she averaged 20 points and six rebounds per game. She also received the Heart and Hustle award for her performance on the court.

As a junior, Peralta was named to the District 1A All-State Second Team. She also was placed on the all-tournament teams at the Mountain Top Tournament, Lady Maverick Fiesta, and Cowgirl Invite. In 2008, Peralta was named to the Mountain Top Tournament and Lady Maverick Fiesta All-Tournament teams. Also in 2008, she was named an All-District Honorable Mention selection.

Throughout her four years at Cliff, Peralta maintained an impressive 4.15 GPA while participating in athletics. In 2010, she received the US Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award and placed first in the Regional Science Fair. She is a proud member of the National Honors Society and has continually been placed on the Honor Roll.

“Mariah will bring a tough-minded approach that our team needs. She is a natural leader, and I see her contributing in a lot of ways, both on and off the court,” states Adams. “She will develop into a solid and consistent player over the next few years.”

Jade Brown signs with Eastern

Surrounded by family, Jade Brown signs her letter of intent to play for Eastern.

Surrounded by family, Jade Brown signs her letter of intent to play for Eastern.

Congratulations to Jade Brown for signing to play for Eastern New Mexico.

Brown, a transfer to Las Cruces High from Oñate two seasons ago, made her mark as a gritty and smart player helping the Lady ‘Dawgs to a final four appearance in the 2009-10 state tournament.

Learn more about Brown’s signing in the Las Cruces Sun News

Check out the Eastern New Mexico Women’s basketball web site.