McKinley County players shine in New Mexico all-star baseball series

Khol Johnson gave McKinley County a familiar arm to cheer Friday night at Rio Rancho High School, pitching three innings for the Green team in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association all-star baseball series while Johnny Zylstra and Trajen West of Rehoboth Christian also took the field. The roster carried a strong local feel beyond the county line, with Zuni pitcher Terrance Smith and Hózhó Academy’s Brody Brown suiting up for the Red All-Stars.

Green won the three-game set 2-1, sealing the series even after Red edged the final game 8-6. That made the matchup a postseason-style showcase rather than just one more exhibition, and it closed out a New Mexico high school baseball season that began with a Feb. 2 first practice date and moved through state championship rounds on May 6, 8-9 and 14-16.

Johnson’s outing stood out because he treated the game like any other start, trusting his fastball, curveball and slider and throwing with the same confidence that carried him through the season. For a senior, that kind of performance matters because all-star games serve as one last chance to show that a strong year was no accident. Zylstra and West had the same opportunity, representing Rehoboth Christian one more time against some of the state’s top seniors.

The broader picture is even more significant for McKinley County schools. Navajo Prep, Rehoboth Christian, Zuni and Hózhó Academy all had players in the mix, a reminder that the Gallup region and nearby Navajo schools continue to produce talent that reaches beyond the regular season. The New Mexico High School Coaches Association says all-star athletes receive a jersey, medal and meals, while transportation and lodging remain the athletes’ responsibility, and the games are not authorized for livestreaming without written consent.