After a year of deep postseason runs, thrilling upsets and program firsts, all three local San Juan Basin League schools earned strong representation on the All-SJBL basketball teams.
Dove Creek junior Lexi Gray and Mancos senior Connor Showalter were named Player of the Year in their respective leagues, while each of their head coaches – Julie Kibel for the Lady Bulldogs and Bob Archibeque for the Bluejays boys – were named Coach of the Year in the SJBL.
Gray’s top billing joined three other Lady Bulldogs on the all-league squad, joining classmate Rylee Hickman on the first team. Gray averaged a double-double on the season (12.7 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game), while Hickman scored 8.6 points per game. Senior Tara Buffington (3.4 ppg) and sophomore Kylie Gatlin (10 ppg) were second team selections. The quartet helped Dove Creek (21-3) back to the final eight in the 1A tournament for the second consecutive year and for a second consecutive unbeaten league campaign.
Taking their highest league finish in years, and a runner-up spot in the District 3 tournament, the Mancos girls (14-8) celebrated back-to-back winning years with a trio of Jays making the All-SJBL team. Seniors Rhiley Morgan-Montoya (10 ppg) and Makayla Wayman (8.1 ppg) made the first team, while sophomore Quincy Morgan-Montoya (9.6 ppg) landed on the second team.
The hardworking Dolores girls squad (3-14) made significant improvement throughout the 2021-22 season, with high-energy point guard Allie Kibel (9.4 ppg) making the league’s first team. The senior Kibel joined junior Chandler Smith and senior Denee Scott with postseason recognition, as Smith made the second team, while Scott earned an honorable mention selection.
On the boys’ side, Dove Creek (13-12) enjoyed their deepest postseason run in school history, making the Great Eight in Greeley. Junior Kade Hankins led the 1A classification in scoring (23.4 ppg), and made the 2A/1A SJBL first team in the process. Hankins joined senior Chorbin Cressler, whose four assists per game and three steals per contest led the Bulldogs, on the first team.
Senior Ryan Jarmon rounded out the Bulldog selections, making the second team after averaging seven points per game.
For Mancos, another district title carried the Bluejays (19-4) in the round of 16 for the fourth straight season, with a core of seniors leading the way for Archibeque’s Jays. Leading Mancos in scoring (23.8 ppg) and rebounding (11.8 rpg), Showalter capped off an impressive career with his POY honor. Three seniors also made the honor roll, with point guard Edgar Hernandez (10.7 ppg) making the first team, while Evan Sehnert (10.6 ppg) and Mason Goodwin (7.2 ppg) landed on the second team.
The Dolores boys (8-10) enjoyed some great stretches of basketball this past winter, finishing tied for fourth in league. Senior Tru Seekins paced the Bears with 14 points per outing, and earned a spot on the second team, while classmate Wyatt Koskie capped his hoops career with an honorable mention nod after averaging nine points per game.
