Ask any of their opponents – there are moments when the Dove Creek girls are in a league of their own.
Maybe take it a step further – take a look at the entire Western Slope – nobody stands on the same footing as a Bulldogs program on the precipice of something special.
Over the past four years, Dove Creek High School has posted an 87% winning percentage, the third-highest of any program in any classification across the Centennial State. Only 1A powerhouse Briggsdale (94%) and 6A Valor Christian (91%) have tallied a better win-loss record over the past four years than the 67-10 Bulldogs.
The common denominator?
Five seniors, a team-first mentality and a commitment to excellence every time they step onto the floor.
Sitting at 14-2 and on a 13-game winning streak heading into the final week of the regular season after a 78-56 win over Montezuma-Cortez, the Bulldogs (14-2, 3-0 2A/1A SJBL) have made their run look like just another day at the office.
In the middle of it all stands senior post Lexi Gray, a modicum of consistency for a program built around playing the game the right way. Averaging the most understated double-double in the state (13 points per game and 11 rebounds per game, Gray’s steady leadership keeps an incredible team grounded in the foundational parts of the game that make the Bulldogs so hard to beat.
“We’ve been playing together since we were little,” said senior Trista Barnett, “but most importantly, we’re all humble, and that’s played a big part in this group having the success we’ve had.”
“We’re playing together – and we’re winning,” added Barnett, “and that plays a big part in us continuing to have fun through the past four years.”
The travails of a long season – which could include the fact that virtually the entire basketball roster carries over from a fantastic fall volleyball season – require that the Bulldogs have a steady ballast during the inevitable highs and lows of a long campaign. The source of that confidence seems to be unanimous.
“When Lexi (Gray) talks, everyone listens,” Barnett said matter-of-factly about her classmate.
For Gray and her four Class of ’23 teammates, the journey has included plenty of highs – including back-to-back San Juan Basin League titles and consecutive trips to the state quarterfinals.
“I try my best to encourage them, provide advice … whatever I can do,” said Gray, the 2022 SJBL volleyball Player of the Year. “Whenever we get in tough situations, I know it’s best to stay cool, and help my teammates stay confident.”
Gray has become a rebounding machine, much like her time doing the unsung work as a strong middle hitter in coach Lacey Murphy’s volleyball lineup. Her alacrity around the rim turned missed jump shots into putback points for the Bulldogs, while her rim protection on the other end makes the Bulldog defense tough to breakdown.
In addition, Gray has a nose for being in the right place at the right time.
“I think it’s just a lot of experience, I get use to reading things, noticing patterns, and I start to catch on.” The same presence of mind contributed to her leading the Bulldogs in blocks during the volleyball season, and now factors prominently into her ability to take on each opponent’s best efforts to control the game in the paint.
“We understand each other so well,” added Gray of her team’s unspoken chemistry, “and we’ve been playing together since middle school and AAU ball – and on top of that, we have a coach (Julie Kibel) who knows how to motivate us when we’re needing it.”
Including classmates Rylee Hickman – who landed on the all-state softball team for M-CHS – and Kaylin Smith and Destiny Toledo, Gray and Barnett have put together a landmark stretch of seasons for a program that has plenty of banner-worthy achievements over Dove Creek’s illustrious girls basketball history.
The ‘Dogs face their final regular season stretch against Dolores Feb. 11, Telluride Feb. 16, and Nucla Feb. 18 before Dove Creek heads into the rigors of postseason play, and the journey back and possibly beyond the state’s final eight gets underway.
Facing a stern test from 3A Montezuma-Cortez (4-10, 2-5 4A/3A IML) for three quarters, the Dove Creek girls found a way to surge past the host Panthers for a 22-point victory, whose final score belied the tightly contest ballgame.
The Panthers, behind 17 points from junior Cyriah Begay and 16 from classmate Savannah Haselroth, led 13-10 after eight minutes and held the lead until midway through the third quarter.
“We weren’t playing like ourselves,” said Barnett of a sluggish first half against the Panthers, “but we were able to slow down and find out rhythm.”
The ‘Dogs trailed a feisty M-CHS effort through 16 minutes, with the host Panthers taking a 33-31 lead into the locker room.
The teams traded momentum in the third quarter, with a tight 51-49 Dove Creek lead heading to the fourth quarter as evidence that the Panthers weren’t going to back down against one of the premier small schools in the state.
Ultimately, offensive rebounds, second-chance points and a bevy of transition buckets turned the tide in the contest, helping the Bulldogs outscore M-CHS 27-7 in the final frame to keep their winning streak alive.
Staying grounded is the primary focus for Kibel’s group.
“We never look past any team,” added Barnett. “We always focus on the game that’s in front of us – because we know that’s what is going to get us to the next level.”
Hickman’s 22 points paced the way for the visitors, while Gray added 14 points. Barnett tallied 13 in the win, while Kalie (16 points) and Kylie (10 points) Gatlin rounded out a balanced effort for Dove Creek.
“It’s so much fun to win tough games like this,” added Gray, “because it helps us gain a lot of experience for state.”
