So much for needing a rebuilding year.
After graduating four starters from a year ago, the Mancos girls basketball team has picked up where it left off, posting a 5-1 mark through the 2022 portion of their schedule.
With a 49-42 victory over now-3A Ignacio in their home opener Thursday evening, the Mancos Bluejays have made a clear statement that they will be a contender in the 2A/1A San Juan Basin League title race when league play begins in January.
Junior guard Quincy Montoya, one of the captains on a senior-less roster, found her knack for attacking the basket as a sophomore and has elevated that part of her game this season. One of the most dynamic guards in the area, Montoya has averaged 12 points per game through the early stretch of the season, which has included wins over Nucla (39-37) and West Grand (53-31).
Meanwhile, freshman Claire Goodwin emerged as the team’s new leading scorer, breaking 20 points twice in the first six games and averaging 16 per contest for the Jays. Goodwin has proved herself to be a three-point threat for the Bluejay offense.
In the post, Teya Yeomans returns to the floor, looking to continue to give the Bluejays offense inside-outside balance. The junior has eight points per game to her credit, while averaging five rebounds per contest.
Eight players are seeing at least 20 minutes per contest in head coach Kerri Morgan’s rotation, including juniors Sam Simmons and Mandi Peacock, helping Mancos play a feisty brand of defense for 32 minutes.
Now, with the holidays on the horizon, Mancos can turn their focus to a league title push. Nonleague games on Jan. 7 (Creede) and Jan. 13 (Sanford) get the Bluejays ready for the second half of the season. A meeting with Dove Creek on Jan. 17 will be the first of two games in 11 days between the league foes, with a contest on Jan. 27 counting toward the league standings.
