Gallup Girls Claim Top Spot in Class 4A Coaches Poll

Gallup High School's girls basketball team was ranked first in the Class 4A coaches poll compiled for December 15, finishing the latest polling period with a 6-1 record, 174 points and 13 first place votes. That placement stands as the most prominent local item in the statewide rankings released for mid December, and it gives Gallup a clear position of prominence among regional programs as the season moves deeper into nonconference play and league schedules.

The Class 4A top ten in the coaches poll showed the following standings in order with records and poll totals: 1. Gallup, 6-1, 174 points with 13 first place votes; 2. Kirtland Central, 5-1, 161 points with 4 first place votes; 3. Albuquerque Academy, 4-2, 135 points with 1 first place vote; 4. Valencia, 6-2, 105 points; 5. Hope Christian, 5-1, 96 points; 6. Bernalillo, 6-0, 91 points; 7. St. Pius, 2-3, 65 points; 8. Silver, 2-2, 33 points; 9. Goddard, 5-2, 28 points; and 10. Lovington, 5-3, 23 points.

Coaches polls serve as a regularly referenced barometer for fans, school communities and local media to track where teams stand statewide and to frame expectations for upcoming matchups. For McKinley County residents, Gallup's top ranking can influence turnout at home games, boost visibility for student athletes and increase local interest in the program as district play approaches. The recognition also places pressure on Gallup to maintain performance against regional rivals, particularly teams ranked closely behind them in the poll.

School administrators and athletic staff typically monitor these rankings alongside win loss records and head to head results when assessing season progress. For families and local businesses, a sustained presence in the top tier can translate into greater community engagement on game nights and a heightened profile for youth feeder programs.

With the season still unfolding, Gallup's position in the December poll sets expectations that will be tested on the court in the coming weeks. Local residents seeking to follow the team should watch the schedule and results as league play resumes, because rankings can shift quickly and influence postseason narratives for Class 4A programs.