CORTEZ – With both teams trending upward, Tuesday night’s meeting between county rivals Mancos and Montezuma‑Cortez offered a chance to build momentum entering the regular‑season homestretch.
The host Panthers seized it, forcing numerous Bluejays turnovers and surpassing 50 points for the third time in four games in a 56‑20 win.
All nine Panthers who suited up for varsity scored, led by 12 points from senior Sariah Jackson. Many of M‑CHS’ baskets came in the paint off backdoor cuts or transition lay‑ins. First‑year head coach M.E. Haley’s defense set the tone from the opening tip, and Mancos never recovered from an early 11‑2 hole.
The Jays (4‑9, 2‑4 3A/2A/1A SJBL) brought energy, having won two of their previous three games behind an opportunistic offense. Senior Destiny Kramer attacked the rim for two first‑quarter baskets, while classmate Caylee Moore worked to slow the Panthers’ post players.
M‑CHS (7‑9, 2‑4 4A/3A IML) capitalized on second‑chance looks and leaned on sharp passing from freshman Aubrey Taveira and sophomore Mia Glazner to find open cutters.
“We love going out there and playing against girls that we know – this was a good win,” sophomore Kyndall Schmitt said. “We made some changes (including a starting lineup shake‑up), and played well together as a team – we’re just growing more and more.”
After trailing by more than 20 early in the second half, Mancos cut the deficit to 35‑18 midway through the third on baskets by Moore and sophomore Tinsley Aspromonte. But Jackson responded with a personal 6‑0 run off three straight steals and layups to push the Panthers to a 46‑18 lead entering the fourth.
Schmitt hit two of M‑CHS’ four 3‑pointers, while senior Siana Elliott and junior Shoshawna Washburn controlled the boards and scored six points each. Senior Kiera Hayes added seven points, and Glazner chipped in six.
“Coach Haley’s got me focused on making sure that I’m looking for open teammates first, but to shoot if I’m open,” Schmitt said.
Aspromonte led the Bluejays with nine points. Moore and Kramer added four apiece for head coach Julie Oliver’s squad. Mancos continues a busy week with league matchups against Telluride on Thursday and Ouray on Saturday as it works to climb back into 2A playoff position.
M‑CHS, which matched its 2024‑25 win total with Tuesday’s victory, now turns its attention to its annual San Luis Valley road trip. The Panthers look to avenge mid‑January losses to Centauri and Alamosa, facing the league‑leading Falcons on Friday before visiting second‑place Alamosa on Saturday.
“When we lost the first time, we had one bad quarter in each of those games – so we’re hoping we can go out there and play all four quarters well – and give ourselves a good chance of winning,” Schmitt said.
Dolores 49, Monticello 43
Dove Creek 54, Ouray 24
Dolores (8‑9, 4‑3 3A/2A/1A) moved within a game of .500, avenging an early January loss to Monticello by breaking open a tie game with a 16‑9 third‑quarter run. The Bears face Ouray on Friday with a chance to even their record and stay in the SJBL’s top three.
Dove Creek (11‑4, 5‑1 3A/2A/1A) rolled past Ouray behind 25 points from senior Taylor Hampton. Junior Mykaela Fury and senior Hadley Hatfield each added 13. The win keeps the Bulldogs one game behind league‑leading Nucla heading into Saturday’s likely league‑deciding matchup in the Dawg House.
Monticello 51, Dolores 49
Ouray 63, Dove Creek 19
Dolores (9‑8, 4‑3 3A/2A/1A SJBL) narrowly missed a last‑second 3‑pointer as Monticello completed a season sweep. The Bears face a pivotal meeting with Ouray on Friday in a battle for third place.
Ouray (9‑5, 4‑2 3A/2A/1A SJBL) smothered Dove Creek (3‑12, 2‑4 3A/2A/1A), building a 27‑10 halftime lead and cruising from there. The Bulldogs meet 1A No. 2 Nucla on Saturday looking for an upset.
