After a vote by Intermountain League coaches, Teagan Whiteskunk and Titus Jackson of Montezuma-Cortez High School been named to the Intermountain League’s boys’ all-conference team for the 2019-2020 basketball season. Paige Yarbrough made the girls’ first team.
Fellow Panthers Adrian Mark and Hayden Leggett received honorable mentions on the boys’ and girls’ teams, respectively.
Teagan Whiteskunk, first teamCapping a stellar high school career, senior shooting guard Teagan Whiteskunk showcased an all-around skill set.
In addition to averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game, and 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, Whiteskunk emerged as a team leader who mentored younger players.
Among Whiteskunk’s finest performances were a 32-point scoring outburst during his team’s 86-78 loss to Grand County on Dec. 12. Whiteskunk will graduate with the school record for single-game scoring after dropping 43 points on Ridgway last season.
Paige Yarbrough, first teamForward Paige Yarbrough continued her reign as one of the Intermountain League’s top post players during a solid junior season.
Playing in all 19 of her team’s games, Yarbrough posted team-best averages of 9.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while protecting the paint on defense.
Among Yarbrough’s top games of the season was an 18-point scoring effort during her team’s 57-28 loss to Centauri on Jan. 25. M-CHS finished the year with a 6-13 record overall and a 3-7 record in the IML.
Titus Jackson, first teamKnown as one of the IML’s most explosive athletes, Titus Jackson emerged as a two-way force for M-CHS during a senior season in which he brought fans to their feet with numerous highlight-reel plays on both ends of the floor.
While consistently locking down opposing teams’ best offensive players, Jackson provided a consistent scoring punch, averaging 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Although the senior, who has signed to run track at Western State University next year, delivered several impressive performances, his finest game might have come when he scored a team-high 23 points during a 61-60 loss to Mancos on Dec. 19.
Hayden Leggett, honorable mention Continuing to build on her reputation as one of the IML’s most hard-nosed athletes, Hayden Leggett brought heart, hustle, lockdown defense and timely scoring to the M-CHS girls basketball team during her final high school season.
A solid shooter and adept passer, Leggett averaged 3.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
The senior also consistently matched up with the top scoring threat on opposing teams while utilizing her quickness and instincts to force turnovers and keep opponents out of sync.
Adrian Mark, honorable mentionFinishing out a high school career with a season full of gritty performances, Adrian Mark did a little bit of everything for the M-CHS boys basketball team while leading his team from the point-guard position.
In addition to posting season averages of 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, Mark stretched the floor on the offensive end by knocking down 20 3-point field goals.
While the senior put together several impressive performances over the course of the season, none were more impressive than his 17-point scoring outburst during his team’s 70-66 victory over Ignacio on Jan. 11.