In a season full of program bests and impressive growth across the area basketball scene, the final recognitions doled out by the Colorado High School Activities Association made sure to recognize the success from the Four Corners.
Five student-athletes, three from Dove Creek, one from Montezuma-Cortez and one from Mancos, landed on all-state teams. Dove Creek senior Lexi Gray, shortly after capping her high school basketball career in the CCGS all-state game, picked up her highest honor from the hardwood, securing a first team selection.
Teammate Rylee Hickman earned an honorable mention nod for her efforts in helping the Bulldogs take home third place in the 1A state championships – the program’s best-ever finish in the state. Dove Creek added a selection from their boys team, as senior Kade Hankins picked up a second team honor.
M-CHS boys basketball made their first regional appearance in four years, and senior Austin Wood played a prominent role in helping the Panthers reach that level. As a result, Wood earned an honorable mention recognition for the 3A.
For Mancos, freshman Claire Goodwin enjoyed a fantastic first season in high school, spurring the Bluejays program to another regional berth and one of the best win totals in program history. Her efforts garnered her a selection on the honorable mention list in the 2A classification.
Few athletes in the 1A classification could boast the consistency that Gray produced during her four years in the post for head coach Julie Kibel. Gray averaged a double-double (13 points per game and 13 rebounds per game), leading the team in both categories, while serving as a defensive pillar for a dominant Bulldog squad.
Hickman put together her most prolific offensive season, averaging 12 points per game, while facilitating the point guard role for the ‘Dogs in their 23-win season. Hickman joined Gray in the CCGS all-state games in honor for her efforts.
Fellow DC senior Kade Hankins led the boys program back to the Sweet 16, leading the team in points (19), rebounds (7), and steals (3) over the course of a 16-7 season that saw the Bulldogs also capture the San Juan Basin League title.
Panther senior Austin Wood amassed a season where he led M-CHS in scoring (13 ppg) while operating the point for Mike Hall’s squad. The Panthers posted their highest win total in the past three years in the process while advancing into the 3A postseason field for the first time in Wood’s career.
Mancos first-year Claire Goodwin also paced her squad in scoring and rebounding (16 ppg and seven rpg) in a strong season for the Jays. Mancos collected 15 wins thanks to Goodwin’s role in leading the way, helping the Bluejays make a return trip to the 2A postseason.
The Colorado High School Activities Association compiled their all-state teams based on nominations from each of the respective leagues in the state’s six basketball classifications. From there, coaches voted on the all-state selections to develop the distinctions of first team, second team, and honorable mention all-state.
