Six Socorro County hoopsters named to All-State basketball teams

Magdalena’s Kael Stephens and D’Shaun Vinyard’s selections on March 19 as first-team All-State basketball players by the New Mexico Coaches Association leads a list of six players selected as the top players in New Mexico High School basketball.

It’s the second-straight year Stephens and Vinyard were named to the all-state first-team squad after leading Magdalena to a state title in 2022 and a 31-1 record in 2023, and a runner-up finish in the state tournament.

Magdalena sophomore Joseph Zamora’s selection as an all-state honorable mention gives the Steers three all-staters in 2023.

Alamo Navajo also has multiple selections for all-state players, with Lady Cougar Hailey Apachito and Cougar Jacob Apache being named honorable mention players.

A first-round exit from the state tournament didn’t stop coaches from noticing the talents of Socorro’s Warren Chewiwi, who was named a Class 3A all-state honorable mention.