Friday, October 5, 2012

New Mexico has many to Select from

Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage Ashley Zubia & Carlie Akina

There was a time when hard work and knowledge of the game took you a long way in basketball when I first started paying attention somewhere before the turn of the century. It was always the most skilled kids that went on to the next level however times have changed. Now when you throw hard work and smarts along with skills and athleticism, well that's a recipe for success and as the young ladies from New Mexico Select showed me first in July and then again at the BigTyme Fall Finish, they are solid from top the bottom

Sydney Graham

At the Flava, Sydni Brandon made my Full Court Tip Sheet and at the Fall Finish it was Lozada-Cabbage but  it could have been a number of other players as well. Ashley Zubia, Sydney Graham and Olivia Fino shot the long ball consistently throughout the event and opposing defenses had to pick their poison because these young ladies were filling it up from everywhere. Throw in some nice ball-handling and defense from Brandon and Carlie Akina along with scoring almost at will, this set the stage somewhat for Lozada-Cabbage to simply go completely off with acrobatic moves, ball handling and a very nice outside touch that had a lot off buzz going around the event. Graham, Zubia, Breanna Vellieux and Leanna Fino are the lone seniors so I'll get a chance to revisit them next season

Sydni Brandon and Leanna Fino