Since the institution of the five classifications in 2001, no Class 5A girls’ basketball team has repeated as state champion. In fact only Mayfield (2004 and 2007) and Gallup (2006 and 2002) have won more than one title since 2001. The La Cueva Bears enter the 2009-2010 season with an opportunity to become the first team to repeat as state champions in what appears to be as competitive and talented a class as it has been in many years. New Bears' head coach Abbie Letz replaces Greg Berger, and inherits a team with two key seniors in Erika Baca and Bria Leitch. In Rio Rancho, gone is long time coach Bobby McIntyre and enter Pat Puentes. Puentes, who inherits a Rams’ team which won 27 games last year, but lost to La Cueva in the semi-finals, and will be looking for their first state title in school history. Rio Rancho looks good to make a run as they will feature one lone returning starter in Kelsey Hawkins, who saw limited action coming off the bench. The fear of little varsity experience worries Puentes as the Rams look to make some noise.

If there was a surprise in Class 5A last season, Cibola has to be the team. The Cougars entered the dance as the 11 seed and landed in the championship game. This season head coach Lori Stephenson has a team she states is athletic and has speed. Rightly so as Junior guard Amber Battle returns along with her 13 points a game and seven rebounds. Toss in Korina Chapman, who averaged 12 points and 11 boards a game and the Cougars can make another appearance in the title game. It is to note that Chapman has verbally committed to play at Boston College.

District 3-5A Player of the Year Andrea Aragon returns for Las Cruces and head coach Matt Abney, as does Devon Mulheron. Aragon averaged 12 points per outing while Mulheron, a two-time All-District Player, averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. The Dawgs are looking to make their annual pilgrimage to the Duke City in March; however, this time Abney likes his chances to advance far into the bracket, with nine returning lettermen which helped win 21 games last season. Cruces will make an early Albuquerque appearance, as they will play in the Joe Armijo Tournament.

The West Mesa Mustangs look to get back to the state tournament as they did in 2009, when they lost to Clovis. Head coach Brett Jones sees the Mustangs as a young team with many strengths. Those strengths can be found in returning players Deanna Garcia and Elicia Castillo. 

Sandia made the semifinals last season, falling to Cibola. This year the Matadors will look to take a huge step toward their first state title since 2001 and will seek to accomplish this goal with Ebony Walker (16.2 Points 8.7 Rebounds), Camille Boal (8.3 Points 7.0 Rebounds), and Elena Velasquez (10.8 Points and 3 Rebounds).

The Clovis Wildcats won 24 games last season, under head coach Jeff Reed, and to have Clovis reach the top as they did in 2000, they will rely on seniors Antiesha Brown and Ashlee Pierson. Brown will be playing for the Red Raiders of Texas Tech next year as she takes her 17 points and seven rebounds a game to Lubbock. Reed really likes this team to go far, but acknowledges Sandia, Cibola, Las Cruces, Eldorado, and La Cueva will be tough to beat in 5A.

Young is the best way to describe the Gadsden Panthers. Evelyn Reyes is the head coach and she states, “I am eager to see how this team responds to the adversity they may face. Although we are a young team they love to compete and are eager to begin the 2009-2010 season.”  Well, the Panthers should be able to improve on their seven win season with the return of Lydia Medina, Gina Holguin and Nathalie Castellanos.

If Class 5A is looking for a team that can surprise people and make some noise, look to the Valley Vikings. The Vikings beat Alamogordo in the opening round of the state tournament before dropping a heart breaking three point loss to Rio Rancho, in the quarter-final round. Angel Reyes, one of the best three-point shooters in the state and Kylynn Brown, who head coach Richard Harbin regards as one of the most aggressive players and top rebounders, return to lead the Vikings.

“This year’s team is an experienced bunch.  They really have a unique desire to change the mindset of girls’ basketball at Manzano High," says Monarch head coach De’Mone Curry. “They are a hard working, scrappy bunch that trust each other no matter what happens on and off the court. “ That said, Manzano will look to use that desire to make a name for themselves, because the last time the Monarchs reached the championship game was in 1989, before losing to Eldorado. April Semler and Tina Jones look to lead the Monarchs. 

The Highland Hornets return Amber Trujillo, April Romero, Sarah Romero, and Sydney Graham to a team head coach Nick Salazar says, “We must play well during the non-district portion of the schedule to build up enough confidence to have a chance in a tough District 5-5A.” 

Shane Bell, at Los Lunas, is hoping that a good summer will help propel the Tigers to make a run in Class 5A.  Playing in their final season in 5A, the Tigers want to leave 5A on a positive note. “We have to play harder and make fewer mistakes, stated Bell. “We have changed our style of play over the summer and hope the changes will give us a better chance of winning games.”
Class 5A can also expect to see good things from Gallup, who is guard loaded, according to head coach Kamau Turner. Also look for Coach George Maya’s Mayfield Trojans to regain some of the swagger  they had in 2007, when they won it all. Justina Apodaca and Alina Bourger return for Maya who desceibes this year’s team as quick and fast.

 Class 5A can also expect to see Eldorado and Hobbs as well as the Onate Knights and head coach Rick Viramontes make a run. The Knights will be led by Cindy Burciaga and Andrea Reiff, to improve in a very tough district.