To say that this year's season has been a roller coaster ride for the Mancos High School girls basketball team would be an understatement.
After scoring three consecutive victories two weeks ago, the Lady Jays returned to action last week and lost to Ignacio, Telluride and Ridgway.
Ignacio defeats Mancos
Playing at home against Ignacio on Feb. 3, Mancos kept things close throughout the first half before losing, 58-30.
Mancos trailed 13-12 at the end of the first quarter and 23-20 at halftime before being outscored 35-10 in the second half.
"We had a great first half and I was really excited," said Mancos head coach Mallory Morgan. "We didn't' come out of the locker room and we can't do that to ourselves. (Ignacio) hit a couple of big shots from the outside."
Senior center Andie Paschal led Mancos in scoring with 10 points and Jessica Gutierrez scored 10.
Norwood overwhelming
Returning to action at home against Norwood on Feb. 6, Mancos got off to a slow start and lost 59-28.
Norwood outscored the Lady Jays 14-0 in the first quarter and 20-2 in the third.
"It was a strange game," said Morgan. "We got good shots, but we just couldn't score. We played great defense, but Norwood is a tough team. They have a lot of girls who can score."
Gutierrez led Mancos with 11 points and senior Taylor Goff scored nine.
idgway pulls way
Closing out its week on the road against Ridgway on Feb. 7, Mancos was defeated 71-38.
Ridgway led 22-8 at the end of the first quarter and 40-17 at halftime. Ridgway senior Rane Dickerson scored 30 points and junior Brynne Skalla scored 22.
Only three players scored for Mancos, including Goff, who chipped in 21, Gutierrez, who scored 12 and sophomore Nicole Hess, who scored 4.
"I can't just have (Goff) and (Gutierrez) scoring," said Morgan. I have to have more out of my other girls. We shouldn't have lost as bad as we did. We're better than that."
Next up for Mancos will be a road matchup against Telluride on Feb. 13, followed by a home game against Dolores on Feb. 20 and a home game against Ouray on Feb. 21.
"These next three games are huge," said Morgan. "It's all about seeding at (the District Tournament) and I'd like to go in seeded as the third team."