Just three seniors are on the Mancos girls basketball team.
Some new freshmen grace the hardwood, as well as a new coach.
Former football coach Craig Paschal is now in charge of the Mancos Lady Bluejays. The new challenge is a good one for Paschal.
Were just getting to know each other, so it will be a while before we see what we have, he said. The inexperience will probably show up early on. Maybe after Christmas (break), well start finding our rhythm. Were just trying to work together and get to know each other.
Seniors Erica Blackburn, Jacey Cox and Devin Kroeker will be in the starting lineup. Paschal expects them to step up and lead the team.
Well lean on all three of them, he said. Erica can be inside or out. Devin we play outside. Jacey will be on the inside.
Junior Megan Hess returns a good amount of playing experience, while sophomore Brandi Bundy is expected to play a big role. Taller athletic freshmen Courtney Colyer and Andie Paschal will see time down low.
Blackburn and her senior teammates have played the role of senior leaders well. Everyone is ready for basketball.
Were really excited about it, Blackburn said. Its a new coach this year. We dont really know what to expect, but were all ready to play. Its really fun, so far. Learning new things is kind of difficult sometimes, learning how the other coaches like it, but its been a lot of fun. Ill do anything my coach wants me to.
Mancos opens its season Friday at the Bulldog Classic in Dove Creek against Monument Valley (Utah) at 5 p.m. If the Lady Bluejays win, theyll face the winner of Dove Creek and the Montezuma-Cortez junior varsity on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Mancos will play at 2 p.m. Saturday, if it loses Friday.
Ouray comes to Mancos to open 2A/1A San Juan Basin League play on Dec. 9.
The remaining nonconference games are on the road at Durango against the JV on Dec. 15, at Aztec (N.M.) Dec. 16, and at Bayfield Jan. 17, 2012.
The regular season concludes Feb. 18, in Mancos against defending league champion Norwood.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at [email protected].
