DOVE CREEK – After the conclusion of an exciting season for San Juan Basin League basketball, the league released its all-conference performers for the 2024-25 winter.
As expected, Dove Creek, Mancos and Dolores earned their share of the honors, with more than a dozen athletes gaining recognition on the postseason list.
Dove Creek led the way with eight all-SJBL selections, as both the boys and girls teams finished runner-up in their respective team title chases. The Bulldogs landed four first-team honors the lead the way, as senior Ralynn Hickman and junior Taylor Hampton added to their all-state selection with places on the girls SJBL first team.
The Bulldogs leaned on senior Sheldon Gardner and junior Nicholas Aragon, who both made the all-league first team on the boys side.
The top Bulldogs were joined by teammates junior Hadley Hatfield (second team), senior Taylor Barry (honorable mention), junior Trevan Ivie (second team) and junior Josh Kibel (honorable mention).
Dolores tallied a pair of first-teamers after the boys and girls teams took fifth in the league standings this year, with senior Trayton Traweek leading the boys honorees and junior Taylor Erautt making the girls first team.
The Bears also collected recognition with second team billing for freshman Emilynn Hill for the girls and sophomore Koby McClellan for the boys.
Mancos, meanwhile, earned four all-SJBL performers, with freshman Tinsley Aspromonte gaining a first team selection, while junior Caylee Moore was named to the second team, and senior Randi Lewis earned honorable mention recognition for the fourth place Bluejay girls. Mancos senior Spencer Eschallier was named honorable mention for the boys team to cap his Mancos career.
Selections for the San Juan Basin League all-conference teams were made based on a vote from the league’s coaches. League champions Nucla (girls) and Ridgway (boys) landed the league players and coaches of the year – Kendra McCluer and coach Stan Galley for the Mustangs and Henry Deppen and coach Benjamin Merritt for the Demons.
