NMHSCA 1A/2A All-Star game: Siblings compete on opposite teams

GALLUP

To’hajiilee siblings Alyce and Tyler-Rose Apachito had not faced each other during their high school careers.

The two seniors made the 2023 New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-Star game and they played on opposite teams.

“It was pretty weird because sometimes I wanted to pass her the ball,” Alyce said. “And sometimes I seen her trying to pass it to me, but I enjoyed competing against her.

“It was a lot of fun,” she said.

Tyler-Rose said making the all-star game with her cousin is something she will not forget.

“It means a lot to both of us because we’re making our community proud,” she said. “We went out there for them and we also made our families proud too, so it was awesome that we’re both all-stars.”

It was Tyler-Rose’s team that got the best of Friday’s 1A/2A All-Star game as the Green squad nailed 11 treys over the Red team in a 77-62 ballgame at Gallup High School.

“I think we just got along with each other,” Tyler-Rose said of her team that also included Laguna Acoma senior Sylvia Gedman.

“We got three practices in and we worked really hard in practice,” said Tyler-Rose, who finished with eight points and two treys. “You could say, working hard does pay off.”

Gedman was the lone Laguna Acoma player to make the all-star team as she finished with two points.

“I was actually surprised that I got selected,” the 6-foot-2 post player said. “I kind of forgot that there was going to be an all-star game, so it came as a complete surprise that I made it.

“I thought my point guard, Erica Martin, would have made it with me,” she added.

Gedman felt that she did her part inside as the guard play of the Green team shouldered the team’s production in the second half.

At the half, the Green team led 36-28 and following the break they hit nailed eight treys in its 15-point win.

“Our point guards were really good,” Gedman said. “They’re all amazing and they can all shoot. We relied on the guards today and they delivered.”

And while the Green team carried the momentum with its 3-point accuracy, Alyce came on strong for the Red team by scoring 14 of her team-best 16 points in the second half.

“It was all about me waking up,” Alyce said of her exploits. “I’m used to playing team ball, but this time I had to take over and show out.”

The Red team also got six points from Alamo Navajo senior Hailey Apachito.

With graduation around the corner, Alyce said she’s planning on studying either early childhood or nursing.

“I’m hoping to play college basketball as well,” she said.

And while she does have some offers from the state of New York and Arizona, Alyce said she’s contemplating on staying local.

Tyler-Rose said she’s looking to join the Northern New Mexico University women’s basketball program in the fall in Espanola, New Mexico.

Gedman also has a few offers in both volleyball and basketball.

“I’m keeping my options open right now,” she said. “I’m going to look at what offers are out there and what’s best for me.”

---