At the time of her selection, the 5-foot-9 junior guard had led the Matadors (25-3) to the quarterfinals of the 5A state tournament, averaging 20.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.4 steals per game through 28 games. The District 2 co-Player of the Year, Benally shot 54.2 percent from inside the arc, 42 percent from 3-point range and 72.9 percent from the free throw line entering the postseason round of eight.
Benally has maintained a 3.97 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
Benally has volunteered locally with “Keeping Albuquerque Clean,” picking up trash along the side of the road. She has also donated her time with the Albuquerque Read-Aloud service, reading to area youth in addition to serving at the San Juan Veterinary Facility in Farmington, where she helps care for small animals.