The Mancos Lady Blue Jays finished the 2015-16 season with a 10-11 record under former head coach Mallory Morgan – the most wins the program has seen since 2008-09.
They’ll look to ride that momentum this year under Cory Cole, who stepped in as head coach following Morgan’s departure.
The Lady Jays will miss the production and leadership of 2016 graduate Jessica Gutierrez, but Cole has a strong, experienced duo of seniors in Brittney Peacock and Emma Most to lean on. He also expects Ashley and Emily Cole and Ericka Peacock to be major contributors, and sees freshmen Emmalee Asnicar, Kasey Wallace and Isis Jaime to chip in as well.
As for the style of play Cole plans to install with the group, speed is the name of the game.
“We want to have more of an up-tempo game, both offensively and defensively,” he explained. “That’s what we want to do. I think we were a little bit slow last year, they stood around a lot, so I’m going to try to make it go faster.”
The Lady Jays finished smack in the middle of the San Juan Basin League last season with a 5-6 conference record, and it’s likely to be a fierce league again this year.
The middle-of-the-pack squads should remain competitive, last year’s bottom dwellers Telluride and Dove Creek should each make leaps forward, and the top dogs Norwood and Ignacio each return their top two scorers from last season.
Nonetheless, Cole has liked what he’s seen from his squad early in the season.
“I think we’re going to be right there with them,” he said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of heart and a lot of courage, and these girls are excited and I think they’re ready to play.”
The Lady Blue Jays are scheduled to kick off their 2016-17 campaign on Saturday, Dec. 3 in Bayfield.