Northern New Mexico College women’s basketball coach J.R. Giddens is excited about the potential of a new crop of players set to join the Lady Eagles in the fall.
Giddens went out of state to recruit a freshman class over the summer, in a contrast from the previous class which included four players from New Mexico. Instead, incoming players come from Texas and Arizona, among others.
Tayonnah Birdtail out of Lacey, Wash. scored 16.5 points per game her senior year. The 5-foot-8 wing was the conference’s player of the year.
“She can flat out score,” Giddens said.
Citlaly Rodriguez, a point guard out of El Paso, averaged more than 15 points, and was an El Paso All-Star. She competed against players from across New Mexico, including Escalante players, at the Big Time Hoops Showcase before signing with Northern. Giddens said he expects Rodriguez to contribute immediately, and has a strong body as a guard.
Angelica Murillo will be an athletic wing for the team, also out of El Paso, who Giddens called long and athletic.
Ruth Sodipe comes from Pratt Community College after high school in El Paso. A consistent starter, she averaged eight points per game for Pratt.
Jacey Salabiye joins the Lady Eagles as a 5-foot-11-inch center coming from Mesa Community College in Arizona, where she started 30 games as a freshman.
“With those new additions to the team, I feel like we’re going to have a chance to be competitive this season,” Giddens said.
Giddens said he is speaking with some local New Mexico players and could try to sign in-state players in the future. But he had to focus mostly on recruiting for this year.
Giddens said the roster is down to just four returning players — point guard Miranda Salazar, forward Ethena Silva, senior guard Kylira Williams and senior guard Heavyn Jordan. All four played key roles last year, with Salazar, Silva and Jordan consistent starters. Leading contributors Chris’Alee Patterson and See’Airrah Evans-Collins graduated, leaving potential holes in the lineup to be filled.
“I think they’re all good players,” Giddens said of the incoming group. “They can help contribute, and give us a chance to have a successful season.”