Everyone knew Michelle Simmons could score on the basketball court.
But instead of attempting to increase her points-per-game average, as a large number of high school seniors do — in hopes of attracting next-level attention — Ignacio’s senior point guard focused on distribution and rebounding and stepped up her all-around game — in hopes of stepping into CSU-Pueblo’s Massari Arena for one chance at a Class 2A championship.
Though it didn’t end with a hoisting of the Gold Ball, the latter goal was indeed achieved.
And on March 24, not long after the 2012-13 CHSAA season was concluded, Simmons answered a summons to again compete against the classification’s best at the Colorado Coaches of Girls’ Sports All-State Games, held at Arvada West High School.
Simmons’ “Blue” crew led the “Red” 34 to 27 at halftime, but behind Parker-based Lutheran’s Jennifer Vigil (18 points) and Colorado Springs-based Vanguard’s Bailey Haist (17 pts), as well as Dolores’ Cydney McHenry (nine), Red rallied to win 73-65.
State champs Akron’s duo of Sidney Merrill (21 points) and Allyson Vasquez (11) shouldered much of the Blues’ scoring load in defeat, and Las Animas’ Haley Martinez poured in a cool 14. Simmons scored two points in the Sunday game.
Players are first nominated by opposing circuit coaches — Simmons and McHenry were proffered by San Juan Basin League bosses — and then voted upon after state.
Ignacio finished 16-9 overall this season, with two Lady Bobcats earning All-SJBL recognition: Simmons (First Team) and senior forward Mariah Vigil (Second Team). Additional First Teamers were Harlie (Player of the Year) and Jordan Williams of 1A Norwood, McHenry, and Telluride’s Shelby Brier.
Second Team selections joining Vigil were Nucla’s Macaela Morris, DHS’ Lexi Atkinson, 1A Dove Creek’s Madison Young and Ridgway’s Haley Crozier, with Honorable Mention distinction going to DC’s Jessica Guynes, RHS’ Grace Benasutti and 1A Ouray’s Jackie Saunders.
Norwood’s Greg King received Coach of the Year after the Lady Mavericks’ 23-2 season, ending with a fifth-place finish at state inside the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield.
CCGS All-State [Class 2A] Girls’ Basketball Box
RED (27-46—73): Jennifer Vigil (Lutheran) 7 0-0 18, Cydney McHenry (Dolores) 3 2-4 9, Rylee Abert (Rye) 2 0-2 4, Kenzi Mitchell (Simla) 2 1-2 5, L. Bailey Haist (Vanguard) 6 1-2 17, Kathryn New (Mosca Sangre de Cristo) 2 4-4 8, Kelli Canty (Sanford) 2 0-0 4, Allie Satterly (Burlington) 4 0-0 8. Totals: 28 8-14 73. 3-POINTERS: Vigil 4, Haist 4, McHenry. FOULS: 14. FOULED OUT: None.
BLUE (34-32—65): Kiera Mekelburg (Yuma) 0 1-2 1, Michelle Simmons (Ignacio) 1 0-0 2, Sidney Merrill (Akron) 9 2-3 21, Kaysyn Chintala (Meeker) 3 0-0 8, Allyson Vasquez (Akron) 2 6-6 11, Haley Martinez (Las Animas) 6 0-0 14, Quincey Thacker (Rangely) 3 1-8 7, Ashley O’Dwyer (Limon) 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 25 10-19 65. 3-POINTERS: None. FOULS: 11. FOULED OUT: None.