After leading Monterey Lady Plainsmen to championship, Aaliyah Chavez named McDonald’s All-American
By Jack Joshnston, joh50807@ttu.edu
With a dominant 64-35 win over Liberty Hill on March 1, the Monterey Lady Plainsmen closed out an outstanding 37-5 season and solidified their place in school history.
Senior guard Aaliyah Chavez led the way with 19 points, earning State Championship Game MVP honors.
She concluded her high school career as Monterey’s all-time leading scorer with 4,777 points. Key contributions also came from Leah Ambrosia Cole and Ari Johnson, who each played pivotal roles in the team’s commanding performance.
The state title resulted from consistent teamwork, strong defense, and a powerful offensive presence throughout the season. Monterey’s playoff run showcased their depth and determination, culminating in a decisive championship win.
Following the game, Chavez earned national recognition as she was named to the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Games, one of the highest honors in high school basketball. She was selected from over 800 nominees and represented Monterey and Lubbock-Cooper ISD on April 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
In a special ceremony at Monterey High School, Chavez received her McDonald’s All-American jersey, which will remain on display as a lasting tribute to her impact on the program.
Chavez finishes her high school career as the number one recruit in the class of 2025. Her accolades include two MaxPreps Player of the Year awards and the 2025 Naismith Girls Player of the Year honor. On March 25, she officially committed to playing college basketball at the University of Oklahoma, continuing her career at the NCAA Division I level.
The Lady Plainsmen’s championship run, combined with Chavez’s achievements, marks a new era of excellence for Monterey High School basketball.
Jill Schneider, head coach for Monterey Girls Basketball and Former Olympic basketball player, chose to retire following the state championship win.
This year was her 27th in leading the team.
