DOVE CREEK – The holiday break for prep winter sports offers mixed perspectives: for some, a pause in momentum; for others, a fresh start.
League play begins in January, so all teams start 2026 at 0-0 in the San Juan Basin League.
The Dove Creek Bulldog Classic offered both programs an early test before league play resumes. The Bulldogs girls beat Monticello 54-36, then fell to defending SJBL champion Nucla 51-20 in the title game.
The boys stayed close but dropped games to Monticello (47-30) and Telluride (61-43).
Head coach Julie Kibel continues to lean on senior leadership during the Bulldogs’ recent success. The Class of ’26 knows Kibel’s system and takes ownership on the floor.
In the opener against Monticello, seniors scored 42 of the team’s 54 points in a decisive win. Senior post Taylor Hampton led with 20 points; Hadley Hatfield added 10. Five others scored: Allex Williams (7), Mykaela Fury (6) and Ambrynn Huffaker (5).
“All of our new starters (Williams, Fury, and Huffaker) are getting more confident – we’ve had some new offenses, new looks and lots of drills,” said Kibel, “and one thing has never changed – these kids have the heart, grit and desire. We’re leaning on everyone to become shooters, because we can’t have other teams just keying in one or two players.”
On Day 2, D.C. trailed 14-11 at halftime but saw the deficit grow to 17 as Nucla earned its second win over the Bulldogs (4-3) this season. Hampton scored 11 points but battled foul trouble as the Bulldogs settled for runner-up.
“One of the most fun parts of this group has been watching them develop – you can see their eyes light up and do things that they may not have thought they could do before,” added Kibel.
Nucla (8-0) had four players in double figures, led by juniors Lantry Galley and Shay Snyder with 14 each.
D.C. faces Nucla twice in January and February and Monticello again Jan. 20 in the Border War. League play begins Jan. 13 at home vs. Mancos.
Midway through the third quarter against Telluride, senior Trevan Ivie scored on a drive – part of a career-high 28 points. The 6-foot-5 senior scored 20 of the team’s 26 second-half points.
Telluride built a first-half lead with a flurry of 3-pointers, but head coach Teresa Martin saw progress despite a 1-6 start.
“These guys continue to battle all the way to the end,” said Martin. “We’re still going through some growing pains, but it’s still a work in progress. I’m proud of them for keeping their heads through all of it.”
The night before, D.C. trailed Monticello late despite Nicholas Aragon’s 18 points. The Bulldogs aim to improve consistency before league play.
Ivie scored 10 points vs. Monticello despite foul trouble, and Martin praised his leadership from the bench. “He helped coach the kids while he was out of the game – and that showed me a lot about his leadership,” added Martin.
Telluride’s Miguel Sanchez hit five 3-pointers for 15 of his 17 points. Nucla beat Monticello 59-47 for the boys title.
D.C. plays four of its first six games on the road, including trips to Ridgway (Jan. 17) and Nucla (Jan. 27).
“We’re ready to come into work next week and get started with a clean slate,” said Martin.
