The Montezuma-Cortez High School Lady Panthers begin a new season, a new chapter, so to speak.
Last years team posted a 12-11 record on the hardwood and just missed out on the Colorado 4A state playoffs. Five seniors from last season are gone, three of which were starters.
M-CHS coach Justine Bayles did well in her first year at the helm. Now she has a team thats raw with speed and athleticism. But what the Lady Panthers do lack might be the most important factor of all experience. Just one starter returns in leading scorer Sydney Bayles. The senior will be accompanied by fellow senior Baylee Lindsley, who saw valuable minutes off the bench last season as a defensive specialist. The cupboard isnt bare, but it needs to be restocked.
Were low in numbers this year, Justine Bayles said. I have two (returning) seniors. I have a ton of freshmen. I would have liked to see more girls try out, but Im really happy with the girls that have shown up. They just have the biggest hearts.
A couple of key freshmen expected to vie for starting roles are Nicole Demby and Naomi Pinnencoose. A big body down low will be newcomer senior Laura Heaton. Juniors Randy Elliot and Tori Laymon will move up from junior varsity this season and could contend as varsity starters.
Justine Bayles is definitely keeping her rotation options open, as in players need to be accustomed to every basketball playing position.
I have told every girl that they need to be ready, and that they need to learn every position on the floor, coach Bayles said. I want to maximize quarters this year. They know their roles. They know what needs to be done to be able to keep a sustainable program. They have to be versatile. Theyre not just a one-position player anymore. In practice, we try to get them into as many rotations as we can.
Sydney Bayles is looking to be more of a ball handler this year as a guard. The sharpshooter saw a lot of time at forward last season in addition to being a shooting guard on the perimeter, where Sydney Bayles can light it up. She led the Lady Panthers in 3-pointers made in 2010-11. Sydney Bayles also recorded the highest scoring game in Lady Panthers history with 36 points at home against Shiprock (N.M.) as a junior.
She wants me to do a little more ball handling, Sydney Bayles said of her coaches expectations. I havent done ball handling since, like, middle school. Im really excited to see if I can learn that.
The most exciting challenge for Sydney Bayles is being the captain and possessing the role of team leader.
(Its) developing more as a leader. We have a young team, she said. I want to try to develop more of a leadership role and just learn what it takes.
Tip-off is set for Thursday, Dec. 1, at the three-day Shiprock High School tournament. The Lady Panthers will square off against teams from across the Four Corners. M-CHS will then play in preseason (nonconference) tournaments at Pagosa Springs and Palisade before Christmas break. After the New Year, the Lady Panthers will host five teams in the Four Corners Classic. The ladies feel it is very important to gain some confidence with tourney wins heading into conference play.
It will be good for us, Sydney Bayles said. Having all these tournaments with all these different games, it will show us what works and what doesnt work. It definitely will give us a head start on league. Well know what works best for us.
Besides the preseason tourneys, M-CHS will have a home game against Bayfield on Dec. 13. Southwestern League play begins at 5A Grand Junction Central on Jan. 13. The Lady Panthers conclude the regular season hosting fellow 4A rival Durango on Feb. 16.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.