LOVELAND – No matter how it fared against Denver Christian on Saturday, Mancos was ready to exit Blue Arena in Loveland having represented itself and the community with pride. Bringing back some hardware to add to the trophy case only sweetened the experience.
Mancos entered its contest against No. 6 Denver Christian brimming with confidence – and the Bluejays took their game to the Thunder, dominating the final three quarters en route to a 51-33 victory to win the consolation bracket title, officially claiming fifth-place in the 2A state tournament.
Not only did the Bluejays achieve high-water marks in wins and their state tournament result, the Jays also sent off an influential senior class in style. A 16-4 run in the second quarter blew open a tight contest, giving Mancos a 24-13 lead at the break.
Denver Christian closed within six early in the third quarter, but the Bluejays did not allow the Thunder to get closer. Seven different Bluejays scored, with junior Jenna Wilson contributing a pair of big baskets in a 9-0 run that separated the two teams in the second quarter.
Senior Mandi Peacock also added a jumper, while sophomore Aysia Mathews scored twice in the third quarter that spread the lead back to double figures. Junior Randi Lewis and senior Sam Simmons contributed with a couple rebounds and steals in their tenacious minutes on the floor.
“We don’t want our girls to be afraid of the moment,” Morgan said of the countless contributions. “We celebrate every success. Whether it’s a big basket or a rebound, we need everyone to bring something to the floor.”
Sophomore Claire Goodwin produced her best scoring performance of the postseason with a 22-point outburst that included five 3s, including one with over a minute left that put an exclamation point on the victory.
For the 11th time this season, Mancos scored over 50 points, as senior Quincy Montoya knocked in a couple 3s of her own to cap her career with back-to-back double figure performances, scoring 10 against the Thunder.
Mancos regained a double-digit lead, and Denver Christian never truly threatened the Jays from there.
“I told our girls that they’d have to handle the pressure, and I felt like we were able to be way more patient on offense,” Morgan said of her team’s tenacity.
Aggression around the rim, their formula for knocking off Hoehne the prior day, keyed Mancos’ strong start. The Jays earned multiple trips to the free throw line in the opening minutes, before their incisive passes opened up opportunities for Wilson, Mathews, Yeomans and Peacock around the basket.
Five seniors – Montoya, Yeomans, Simmons, Peacock, and Haylie Higgins – realized the magnitude of their achievement, plus the reality of their basketball careers ending, the bittersweet joy of holding the trophy to commemorate the program’s best finish in their final act.
“They’ve been bought in all season, their whole careers, believing in what we’re doing,” Morgan said. “We fought so hard to be here. The girls deserve to have this experience. It’s something they’ll be able to take with them the rest of their lives.”
