Strong teams begin with excellent leadership. So when four area teams, both the boys and girls from Dove Creek and Mancos, advanced deep in the postseason, it seemed only fitting that the coaches from across the state tipped their cap.
After a groundbreaking 2021-22 season, five local standouts earned acclaim as part of their classification’s all-state teams.
Three Dove Creek Bulldogs, highlighted by boys standout Kade Hankins’ selection to the second team in the 1A classification, joined a pair of Mancos Bluejays, with senior Connor Showalter capping his career with a second team selection in the 2A.
Dove Creek senior Chorbin Cressler and junior Lexi Gray landed on the honorable mention teams for Dove Creek, while Bluejays senior Rhiley Morgan-Montoya ended her hoops career with an honorable mention.
The quintet all earned spots as captains for their respective teams, a testament to their leadership qualities, along with their ability to light up the scoreboard.
Hankins, just a junior, put up eye-popping numbers throughout the Bulldogs’ march to their first state tournament appearance. The sharp-shooting wing led the state in scoring average, and provided countless steals on the defensive end to spark a Bulldogs team that liked to get out and run.
With Cressler joining him in the backcourt, the Bulldogs defense gave opposition fits en route to a district runner-up spot and a regional title. Cressler posted career bests in nearly all categories during his final season for the Bulldogs, notably leading the team in assists and steals.
For the girls team, also a state tournament qualifier, Lexi Gray emerged as one of the premier post players in the 1A classification. Gray led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. Her steady presence in the middle of a tenacious Dove Creek defense altered the game plan of any opponent, while Dove Creek cruised to a San Juan Basin League title, along with district and regional crowns.
With a fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the Mancos boys program enjoyed one of its best spells in Bluejays history. The presence of Connor Showalter significantly shifted the trajectory of the Jays, as he put together one of the strongest statistical careers to ever grace the Mancos Fieldhouse. A starter from Day One, Showalter averaged double-figure scoring all four years, while eclipsing 1,300 career points.
In another turnaround performance, Mancos senior Rhiley Morgan-Montoya helped guide the Mancos girls to back-to-back winning seasons and a regional appearance after posting just 10 combined wins in her first two years. Morgan-Montoya proved to have one of the most energetic motors of any player in the 2A, stepping up to provide scoring or tenacious defense as the Jays battled their way to a runner-up spot in the league and district races.
All-state selections begin with nominations from each of the leagues across the Centennial state, with coaches then narrowing the list to create first team, second team and honorable mention squads.
