DOVE CREEK – If there’s one thing that defines the hardnosed Dove Creek athletic programs, it’s that they’re never going to back down from a challenge.
For the 2024-25 hoops season, the Bulldogs will face a brand-new obstacle with a move up to the 2A classification. The girls program, in search of their fifth straight San Juan Basin League title, joins the larger division with firepower back from their 1A state tournament appearance last year.
The boys, meanwhile, bring an experienced, upperclassmen-led group that has all the makings of a team that will contend for a league title, too.
With Colorado adding a 6A classification to basketball, the reshuffled dominoes that also saw Montezuma-Cortez climb from 3A to 4A will have the Bulldogs enter into uncharted territory in 2A. The ‘Dogs will enter with the fourth smallest enrollment among the 60-plus teams that compose the classification.
For eighth-year head coach Julie Kibel, Dove Creek’s girls return senior leader Ralynn Hickman, who averaged double-figure scoring last year and looks to lead the Bulldogs in that category again this winter.
Juniors Taylor Hampton in the post and Hadley Hatfield on the perimeter will provide scoring balance for Dove Creek, while Hampton became a rebounding machine during her strong sophomore campaign.
Seniors Taylor Barry and Jessica Alexander hope to figure prominently in the offense, while junior Allex Williams joins the upperclassmen mix that will turn up pressure on opposition and allow the Bulldogs to run in transition.
Dove Creek opened the season with a 1-2 start at the Mountain Top Tournament at Centauri HS – defeating Mancos 45-25, while suffering losses to the tournament hosts and Sargent.
For the boys, Dove Creek welcomes in first-year head coach Teresa Martin to guide a program seeking their fourth winning season in the past five years.
The tandem of seniors Sheldon Gardner and Liam Hassell may prove to be one of the most difficult matchups for any team in the SJBL this year. The duo opened the year averaging double-figure scoring during a 2-1 start in La Jara.
A large junior class gives the Bulldogs some extra bite on the defensive end, with quick guards Josh Kibel and Nicholas Aragon looking to disrupt passing lanes. Classmate Trevan Ivie looks to join Gardner as a menace on the boards – as DC enters with one of the tallest lineups they’ve had in recent years.
The Bulldogs upended Sargent and Mancos in the early season travels, and hope to compile a strong resume in their action before the holiday break.
After their trip to Rangely over the weekend of Dec. 13-14, the Bulldogs get set for their annual Bulldog Classic, where they will host Monticello on Dec. 20 (5 p.m. girls, 6:30 p.m. boys), followed by action on Saturday against either Nucla or Telluride.
The Bulldogs ring in the New Year with the beginning of their 3A/2A/1A SJBL title pursuits with a trip to Mancos on Jan. 14. Dove Creek begins their home league slate four days later against Ridgway, before trips to Monticell on Jan. 21 and Dolores on Jan. 25. Senior Day arrives on Feb. 18 against Mancos, then Dove Creek wraps up the regular season on the road at Ouray and Ridgway.
