Ignacio senior guard Gabriela Garcia was the only Lady Bobcat from an 8-14 squad named to any tier of the All-San Juan Basin League Team this season.
The list at last recently e-mailed to this writer, Garcia and Nucla freshman G/F Carlie Wytulka were both tabbed Honorable Mention All-SJBL – the only two cagers given the distinction.
Topping the First Team, Norwood junior guard Jordan Williams was also named Player-of-the-Year after helping the Lady Mavericks to a 25-1 record, including a 38-34 win over Iliff Caliche (24-2) in the Class 1A State Championship up in Loveland.
Joining her were Dove Creek senior center Madison Young, Ridgway senior guard Grace Benasutti, Dolores senior guard/forward Brianna Schwartz and Ouray junior guard Jackie Saunders.
Second Team All-SJBL honors went to DC senior G Jessica Guynes, Norwood junior C/F Lucia Vlkova, Nucla senior G Shalyn Steffan, RHS senior F Leta McNatt and Mancos senior G Brandi Bundy.
DCHS’ Jim Buffington was named Coach-of-the-Year after the Lady Bulldogs finished 19-6 overall, and rebounded from a 30-point loss to Eads on Day 1 of the 1A State Championships with much closer wins over Kit Carson and Idalia to top the consolation bracket and save fifth place.
Additionally, Williams and Vlkova were both named to the statewide All-1A First Team, presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps, and created through a process including gaining nominations from leagues and coaches, and then taking a vote of the coaches.
Joining them as First Team-ers were Caliche junior G/F Shayln Johnson, Kit Carson senior G Brooke Crawford and South Baca [Pritchett/Campo/Vilas] junior G Allyson Grahn – chosen the classification’s POY, despite the Lady Patriots falling short of State via losing to KC at 1A-Region III.
Young was a Third Team All-1A selection, joining Eads sophomore G Brittanie Newman, Idalia soph F Reagan Schaffer, San Luis Centennial senior PG Justine Sanchez and Westminster Belleview Christian senior F/G MacKenzie Woods.
None of the SJBL’s honored 2A-side players were on the All-2A Team – headed by POY Jordan Baer.