For the first time in several years, the Cortez Middle School boys basketball program won multiple league championships.
Leading the way was the CMS A-team, which finished its season with a 10-1 record. The Jaguars defeated Bayfield 32-30 in a hard-fought championship game.
The A-team was coached by Tim Robinson. Members of the team were Gabe Garcia, Ethan Long, Kade Glover, Kale Hall, Zeke Vargas, Cameron Jaramillo, Bridger Black, Vinnie Conklin, Cordell Baer and Isiah Pena.
“The key to our success was coming together,” said Zeke Vargas, who played post and guard. “We are good friends, and we spend a lot of time together.”
“We paid attention in practice, and we worked hard to do everything to the best of our abilities,” added Kale Hall.
Prior to their successful season, many of the A-team’s members played for the Montezuma Storm, a local AAU team made up of seventh- and eighth-graders. The Storm will continue to compete in tournaments throughout the upcoming year.
“I would like to win a state championship,” said Vargas. “That’s our goal for high school.”
Also winning a league championship was the CMS B-team, which finished the season 11-0 and defeated Pagosa Springs 43-23 in the championship game.
Lucas Anlicker coached the B-team. Team members included Blake Keetch, Adrian Mark, Titus Jackson, Jesse Lopez, Taegan Whiteskunk, Payton Langston, Ricky Lobato, Justin Gray, Garrett Boren, Jens Jorgensen, and Cole Herrmann.
“The first two years that I took over the (CMS basketball program), it was hard to garner interest,” said Anlicker. “It has slowly gotten better. Both teams had pretty unbelievable seasons.”
With several of the B-team’s players returning to middle school next season, the Jaguars future goal is clear.
“We want to win the A-team Championship next season,” said Jackson. “If we practice over the summer, I think that we can.”