Between 1981 and 2011, former Mancos High School basketball coach Gary Hill brought 447 victories to Mancos.
This season, Rodney Cox, a former Hill assistant, is taking the reins of the Bluejays boys' basketball team with hopes of revitalizing the once-proud program.
Inheriting a team that finished 10-10 during the 2012-13 season, Rodney Cox's first task will be to fill the voids left by last year's seniors, Colton Miller, Branson Mitchell and Wyatt Cox.
BLUEJAYS ROSTER
FILLED WITH TALENTED UPPERCLASSMEN
To do so, Rodney Cox will look to seniors Kyle Cox, Ty Koppenhafer, Bryan Jaime, Anthony Reiners and Travis Franklin.
Although this season's seniors have varying levels of experience, the group is confident that in time, they can mold into a cohesive unit capable of competing in the always-difficult San Juan Basin League.
"I expect a lot," said Jaime. "Coach Cox is a really down-to-earth guy, and he's a great coach. I think we can do pretty good this year."
Complimenting the Bluejays' seniors will be junior guard Nigel Henry and junior big-man Brandon Hood-Farley.
Sophomores Adrian Hernandez and Roe Paschal also figure to contribute for the Bluejays.
"(Hernandez) is a really athletic kid," said Rodney Cox. "He has a huge heart."
BLUEJAYS LOOKING
TO IMPLEMENT
UP-TEMPO SYSTEM
To get the most out of his roster, Rodney Cox plans to implement a fast-paced, yet in control, style of offense.
"We're hoping to get the ball down the court this year," said Cox. "We want to be up-tempo and take care of the ball."
On defense, the Bluejays will run mostly man-to-man with an emphasis on help-side defense.
"Everything that I do here is going to be similar to what Mr. Hill did here," said Rodney Cox. "He had 450 wins. To come out and change that recipe would not be very wise on my part."
BLUEJAYS TO PLAY
TOUGH SCHEDULE
Competing in the San Juan Basin League, the Bluejays figure to face quality opponents night in and night out.
Highlighting this season's slate of games will be a home matchup against Dolores (Dec. 20), a road matchup against Dolores (Feb. 22) and a season opening tournament in Dove Creek (Dec. 6-7).
"Our league is tough," said Cox, discussing this season's schedule. "(Larry Schwartz) does a great job in Dolores. Mike Hughes does a great job at Telluride. Norwood is always tough. Ridgway will be tough."
While just how well the Bluejays handle this season's difficult schedule remains to be seen, excitement is certainly high and players expect to be competitive.
"Everyone knows you and you have to live up to expectations," said Kyle Cox of playing in the Mancos community. "It's a lot of fun (to play) in a tight community."
