A couple weekends into the San Juan Basin and Intermountain League schedules, the early verdict is clear – the title races are going to be wide-open and drama-filled all the way to the finish line.
Just as an early indication for how unpredictable this season has already become, in a span of less than two weeks in SJBL boys action, Ouray knocked off Nucla, followed by Nucla topping Dove Creek, all before the Bulldogs thrashed Ouray. It’ll be enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats this season, and so with the early punches thrown, here’s a look at the way the league stands.
Both the boys and girls teams for Dove Creek picked up impressive wins this weekend, as the boys swept past Ouray, 52-37, and Ridgway, 38-34, while the girls raced by Ridgway, 65-31.
For the Bulldog boys, fast first half starts keyed success in both of their home contests, as they led by 15 against the Trojans and 10 against the Demons at the intermission, before holding on for their first two league wins of the season. The victories put Dove Creek (4-7, 2-1 2A/1A SJBL) right into the thick of a wild race, currently sitting in third place behind Telluride and Nucla.
The girls team also took advantage of the home energy, putting the game out of reach at halftime at 29-13, before stretching the lead further in the second half to secure their second league win in as many tries. Dove Creek (8-2, 2-0 2A/1A SJBL) sits atop the league standings, while Mancos also hasn’t dropped a league contest either.
That’s all set to change, as the Bulldogs and Bluejays prepare for a pivotal clash on Friday, Jan. 26 in Mancos, with perhaps a league title hanging in the balance. Before that encounter, both teams have other matters to attend to, as Dove Creek takes on Monticello on Tuesday, Jan. 23, while Mancos meets county-rival Dolores on the same evening.
After dropping two tight contests right before the holidays, the Bluejay girls have opened the new year in style, claiming their third straight win, and their first league encounter, with a 55-13 domination of Telluride.
Sophomore Claire Goodwin and senior Quincy Montoya accounted for 45 of the team’s 55 points in the win, as the Jays improved to 7-2 and 1-0 in league play.
The boys, meanwhile, also opened their league slate, falling on the road to Telluride 53-49, after a big third quarter by the Miners helped propel them to a crucial win in the regular season title race. Telluride (7-4, 3-0 2A/1A SJBL) is the only remaining unbeaten in the SJBL on the boys side, while Mancos (6-3, 0-1 2A/1A SJBL) then turned around and lashed Sargent, 76-40, the following day to get back on the winning track.
Mancos faces a busy week ahead with their matchups against the Bears, Bulldogs, and Ridgway Demons this week, as part of a season-high seven game homestand.
Both of the Bear programs looked to snap out of skids this past week, but Nucla stood in the way of valiant efforts from the Dolores squads on their home floor. The boys (4-8, 0-3 2A/1A SJBL) fell to the Mustangs, 61-47, in spite of 17 points from senior Mark Palate.
Meanwhile, the girls (2-12, 0-3 2A/1A SJBL), led by 13 points from sophomore Keeley Clark, stayed close with Nucla for a half, before ultimately falling, 49-23.
The Bears prep for their battle against Mancos on Tuesday night on the road, before the boys head to Ouray on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Against state-ranked Centauri, the M-CHS girls team once again proved that they have what it takes to spring the upset, but another road trip to the San Luis Valley fell achingly short, as the Panthers stayed within two of the Falcons midway through the second half before falling, 56-45.
The loss drops the Panthers to .500 at 5-5 and 1-2 in league play, sitting in a tie for fourth in league play. League leading Pagosa Springs waits on the horizon on Friday, Jan. 26, before a rematch with Bayfield the following afternoon.
On the boys side, the Panthers used a 9-0 to start the second half to close a 20 point deficit within 11 against a stout Centauri squad, but the hosts reestablished control of the game with a big run to down M-CHS, dropping the Panthers to 4-7 and 1-2 in the IML.
The four-game road trip concludes this weekend with Pagosa Springs and Bayfield, with the Pirates topping the league through the opening two weekends, while Centauri and Ignacio sit second and third, and the Panthers in fourth.
