The Mancos Blue Jays started last season 1-5 before stringing together wins in the second half of the season to make it to the regional tournament.
And with a team consisting of many girls that had never played, their success came as a welcome surprise to head coach Mallory Morgan.
“It was a good season,” Morgan said. “It was one I’ll never forget for sure, because I think we were kind of like a Cinderella team that no one expected much from.”
With Andie Paschal and Taylor Goff graduating, the Blue Jays will lean heavily on senior Jessica Gutierrez and junior Nicole Hess.
“Jess is going to be really big this year, as is Nicole,” Morgan said. “Jessica really ended on a great note last season and that’s where I’d like her to continue from.”
Gutierrez will serve as the team’s point guard and lone senior, with juniors Hess, Brittney Peacock and Emma Most also stepping up into leadership positions.
Sophomore Ashley Cole and freshmen Emily Cole, Ericka Peacock and Taelor Samora round out the young team.
While the team is young and may lack experience, Morgan and the Blue Jays’ goal is to make it to the district tournament.
“We have a tough league this year,” Morgan said. “So we’re going to have to bring our A-game every night. But to get out of the district tournament would be pretty awesome.”