A soft current of up-tempo pop music creates the backdrop for a late-season Dove Creek girls’ basketball practice.
Normally, four months of nonstop basketball would take its toll on a team’s morale – just trying to survive to the finish line.
Not so for this group of young women. Lighthearted banter and laughter spills over into a brief intrasquad scrimmage session, as a Bulldog drives right into the teeth of her own defense, only to see her shot blocked out of bounds by a waiting defender.
It’s as if these girls know what their teammates will do, before they even act.
Which makes perfect sense – because they do.
Dove Creek girls basketball has become one of the state’s most feared teams – a nightmare for opposing coaches to scout for – based on their balanced attack and selfless play.
The mantra of “family” chanted in the huddle break at the end of practice is literal.
Seniors Shania Kibel and Tara Buffington should know – the banners that ring the Dove Creek gymnasium are full of reminders of their family trees.
Shania’s mother’s name sits at the top of one of the all-state banners at the north end of the gym. Julie Guynes – now Kibel – helped pave the way for girls athletics at Dove Creek – making the state’s highest honor roll before the three-point line was introduced. A generation later, she now coaches her daughter and an energetic band of teammates to another season of stratospheric heights, but an achievement that has become the standard bar for the program.
Tara’s uncle, Jonce Hatfield, is the calming assistant coach on Kibel’s staff. He has guided many of the young women on this year’s roster since their early playing days.
“The way we play – it’s been instilled in us our whole lives,” said Shania Kibel. “If you want to play at a high level, you’d better be ready to step up.”
Yet, even with the reminders of the great teams from before their time, Kibel and Buffington recognize they’re putting their own stamp on the program’s history.
“I feel like we’re finally in the place that we’ve worked so hard to be in,” said Kibel, “and that’s come from all the hard workouts in the weight room, every morning practice … it’s all finally paying off.”
The in-practice exuberance carries over to competitions, where the Bulldogs’ joie de vivre reflects in 32 minutes of play – their celebration of teammates’ successes and energy.
“This team hasn’t had to rely on one person to score,” said Buffington. “Everyone on this team is capable of stepping up.”
Dove Creek’s preparation for regional foe Rocky Mountain Lutheran - always thorough with Kibel and Hatfield - comes with the palpable excitement of knowing what awaits the ‘Dogs with a victory – a trip to the state tournament (in its true eight-team format) for the first time since 2014.
“We’ve really focused on our defense,” said Buffington, of her team’s preparation for the big tournament games ahead, “and our bench is so deep, so it helps us bring out the best in each other.”
Just like what their opponents have learned, as the game wears on, the Bulldogs typically have found an extra gear to close out games. “We have learned to ‘tighten the screws,’” said Kibel, borrowing a phrase from her mother’s playbook, “it’s about recognizing that we’re doing some things well, but also learning where we can improve and refine our game.”
Finding the line between seeing her mother as coach and parent has been a learning process for Shania, but one that has strengthened their bond. “It’s added a whole new dynamic to our relationship,” said Kibel, “we know we’re both working toward the same goal. I know that my whole life, I’ve really looked up to her – and I know that she’s brought out the best in me.”
The family tie hits home for Buffington as well, and has helped her to keep perspective of her place in the program’s rich history. “It’s never been about how many points I scored, but I want to be remembered for how I treated my teammates,” added Buffington, “and seeing the names of all of the other Buffingtons on the banners in the gym has always made me push myself to be my best.”
A 20-1 campaign didn’t come without its own hardships – the Bulldogs have overcome a number of injuries and illnesses, along with carrying the target on their back as the defending San Juan Basin League champions.
“I’m proud of our mental toughness, and how we’ve responded to adversity,” commented Buffington about her pride in the team’s achievements. The ‘Dogs needed their grit on their less-than-optimal nights, including a pair of tough wins over league title contender, Ignacio.
Kibel knows the adversity all-too-well, bracing her knee before each outing, opting to play out her career without an ACL, having torn it for the second time in two years during her volleyball season.
Meanwhile, an immensely talented group of underclassmen have turned to their senior duo for leadership in the home stretch.
“We can show them what’s possible, even with challenges” added Kibel, alluding to her determination to work through her injury, “and they’ve [the underclassmen] taught me to realize that I should be a good leader, because you never know who’s looking up to you.”
