Freshman phenom Kaiyah Benally leads Sandia to
back-to-back state titles

By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times

ALBUQUERQUE – Under the bright lights of the UNM Pit, Sandia’s Kaiyah Benally proved that age is just a number.

The freshman sensation delivered a clutch performance on the biggest stage, scoring 19 points, grabbing three rebounds, and sinking 7-of-9 free throws to lead the Matadors past the top-seeded Hobbs Lady Eagles, 47-38, in the Class 5A state championship game on Saturday afternoon.

Benally was electric from start to finish, slashing through the defense, knocking down shots, and controlling the tempo with poise beyond her years. She remained calm when the game tightened in the second half, stepping to the free-throw line and delivering under pressure.

Kaiyah’s older sister and team leader, Sydney Benally, praised her younger sister for her standout game against Hobbs.

“She works on it every day,” said senior Sydney Benally, her older sister and team leader. “This didn’t just happen—she’s always putting in the work.”

Playing in her final high school game, Sydney provided the veteran leadership that helped Sandia fend off a relentless Hobbs squad. The Eagles, led by Kyndle Cunningham’s 14 points and Bhret Clay’s 11, opened the second half with a nine-point surge, tying the game at 25.

“We knew it was a lot of our last game, so we wanted to end on a good note,” said senior Audri Wright, who delivered a critical 3-pointer to halt Hobbs’ momentum.

A force in the paint, Wright finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, anchoring Sandia’s defense alongside the Benally sisters. Their defensive intensity was the difference-maker, holding Hobbs to just 38 points—far below their season average—while also racking up six blocks.

Head coach Lee Kettig credited the Matadors’ success to a defensive game plan that took nearly a year to develop.

“Our on-ball man defense has been something we’ve been working on for a long time,” Kettig said. “They just continue to amaze me.”

The Eagles struggled at the free-throw line despite Hobbs’ offensive firepower, converting just 9-of-19 attempts. On the other hand, Sandia capitalized on every opportunity, shooting 73% from the stripe and keeping Hobbs from gaining any lasting momentum.

The defining moment came late in the fourth quarter when the younger Benally dribbled past her defender, pulled up at the elbow, and sank a jumper that put Sandia ahead for good. The freshman’s confidence was unwavering, reflecting the countless hours she had spent honing her craft.

Coach Kettig wasn’t surprised.

“Kaiyah works on that stuff. So, the stuff you see her doing, she’s not doing it for the first time. She works on that. She’s out with two balls in the parking lot dribbling,” Kettig said of the younger Benally. “So it ain’t magic. The girl works on it. She deserves everything she gets.”

On Thursday, Sydney Benally was named the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.

Benally earned the title for a second consecutive year, solidifying her status as one of the top players in the state. She led the Matadors to a near-perfect record and showcased her all-around talent on the court.

According to MaxPreps, the standout guard has been a force offensively and defensively, averaging an impressive 20.0 points per game while also contributing 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.2 steals per contest.

Her efficiency has been just as remarkable, shooting 51 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range, and an impressive 80 percent from the free-throw line. With Benally at the helm, Sandia has stormed through the season with a stellar 30-1 overall record, including an undefeated 10-0 mark in district play, cementing their place as one of New Mexico’s top teams.

Benally is set to take her talents to Brigham Young University next year, where she will continue her basketball journey at the collegiate level.

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