The Bluejay boys basketball team seems like they can shift gears at any moment and take over games. With their high pressure attack, the past three games appear to have Mancos in full throttle, with their sights set on climbing back into league title contention.
Ever since dropping back-to-back games against Sanford and Telluride, the Jays have played on a mission, winning their last four encounters by a combined 154 points. Their most recent track meets saw the Jays race past Dove Creek, 64-27, on Friday before Mancos blew past Ridgway 82-32 on the following afternoon.
Guided by a senior-laden balanced attack, Mancos utilized a stifling half court press that forced Dove Creek into a bundle of turnovers, helping Mancos go on a 10-0 run to end the first quarter and set the tone for a layup fest for the home team.
Senior Andrew Jaime led the way for head coach Dusty Veach’s group, scoring 19 points to pace a trio of Bluejays in double figures.
Dove Creek (5-8, 2-2 2A/1A SJBL) stayed within earshot in the second quarter, thanks to junior Sheldon Gardner’s aggressive play on the block. Having turned into a tough proposition to defend under first year head coach Ian MacLaren, Gardner used an array of post moves on his way to a dozen points to lead the visitors.
The third quarter, however, put the Bluejay power on full display, as Mancos revved up for 25 points, with senior Kail Wayman emerging off the bench to score all 10 of his points in the frame. Classmate Brian Veach added 10 more, as every one of the eight Bluejays who stepped to the floor scored in the victory.
Freshman Kaleb Schmitt scored nine points, while adding several highlight reel blocked shots for the Mancos defense. For the Bulldogs, junior Liam Hassell poured in eight points to complement Gardner’s team-high output.
Less than 24 hours later, Mancos rolled past Ridgway (2-8, 1-5 2A/1A SJBL) behind 28 points from Veach, topping the Demons by 50.
Mancos (9-3, 3-1 2A/1A SJBL) continues their climb up the 2A rankings in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index, having jumped into the top 12 heading into the weekend’s action after their win over Highway 184 rival Dolores, 67-36, during midweek action.
Just as importantly, the Jays now have their sights set on working their way back to the top of the league standings, searching for the league regular season title, which they last won in 2021-22. Their path back will now require continuing their home winning streak, and needing to avenge their Jan. 19 loss to Telluride.
Mancos gets a second crack against the Miners – who still remain unbeaten in SJBL play – on Feb. 3 in the Fieldhouse, but prior to that, a potential stumbling block with Nucla in town on Feb. 1. Dove Creek, meanwhile, looks to refocus, as they prepare to step outside of league play for a matchup against Bayfield on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
