Seven area boys, six girls selected to all-state teams

ALBUQUERQUE — Seven girls and six boys represented the area on recently-released New Mexico High School Coaches Association all-state basketball selections.

The all-state lists consisted of eight first-team choices and eight second-team honorees in each of the five classes.

For the girls, Portales seniors Tarris Rippee and Teagan Faust were chosen for the Class 4A first team, while senior Kylyie Rippee was on the second unit. The Lady Rams finished 22-6 and reached the 4A state semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Kirtland Central 48-43.

The other four selections were in Class 1A, with Melrose junior Isabelle Sena making the first team while Lady Buffs senior Johanna Roybal and sophomore Graci Odom landed on the second squad. Melrose (22-8) reached a state final for the eighth consecutive year, and the Lady Buffs finished second after falling to District 6-1A rival Fort Sumner 56-30 in the championship tilt.

Also, Dora sophomore Faith Jasso was chosen for the second team. The Lady Coyotes (12-12) were ousted in the round-of-16 by Melrose.

All of the boys honorees were in Class 1A, led by seniors Rylan Creighton of Elida and Logan DeVaney of Melrose on the first team. Second-team picks included juniors Noah Gershon and Carter Teune of Clovis Christian and Aiden Yates of Elida, and sophomore Michael Cardonita of Melrose.

Elida (23-5) reached the 1A title game, where it lost to Magdalena 75-56. CCS (21-9) was eliminated by Magdalena in the semifinal round, while Melrose (19-9) fell to Elida 71-67 in a quarterfinal game at Elida.