GRAND JUNCTION — Tradition is sometimes hard to beat.

The Dolores High School girls varsity basketball team finished in third place last year and was fourth the year before that. The Bears also placed third in back-to-back in 1994-95. Mancos High School boys, since 1990, competed in the consolation semifinals in 1991; came in second in 1993; grabbed fourth in 1995 and took fifth in 1996.

Both Dolores girls and Mancos boys have good success in competing at the Class 2A State Basketball Tournament in recent years. Both teams are trying to get back to that elite tournament as they compete in Western Regional Finals today, March 3, at neutral site Grand Junction High School Gym. Those boys and girls are certainly hoping that tradition is hard to beat.

The Bear girls put their 21-0 record on the line against West Grand (14-5) at about 1 p.m. while the Blue Jay boys (13-7) tangle with North Park (16-6) at about 3:15. The winner of those games get a berth at the Class 2A State Basketball Tournament March 8-10 in the Pueblo Events Center. Dolores is the top seed from District III while West Grand is the no. 2 seed from District V. The Bears won the San Juan Basin League title outright and then last weekend took the crown at districts in Cortez. The Blue Jays are the no. 2 seed from District III while North Park is the top seed from District V. Mancos took second in the San Juan Basin League race and finished second at districts.

DHS first-year girls head coach Rob Mellott will probably start 5-foot-7 senior guard Amber Simmons, 5-9 junior guard Jennifer Trevillian, 5-11 junior forward Amanda Cross, 5-8 sophomore guard Joni Everett, and 5-7 guard Sarah Nielson. Others on the team include 5-7 senior post Jessica Gladem, 6-0 senior post Krysten Fitzgerald, 5-9 junior post Ashley Smith, 5-7 sophomore guard Jennifer Cross, 5-8 sophomore guard Tracy Everett, 5-8 sophomore guard Ashley Reed, and 5-9 freshman guard McKenzie Reed. Mellott is assisted by Lenea McCluhan.

Dolores is led by Trevillian who is averaging 17.4 points per game and dishing out 7.1 assists. West Grand is paced by Hannah Sheehan who is knocking down 17.6 points and grabbing 11.1 rebounds an outing.

Mancos head boys coach Gary Hill will start his normal lineup of 5-9 sophomore point guard Clint Hill, 6-1 junior guard Kyle Yeomans, 6-4 senior forward-post Bill Baker, 6-2 junior forward Travis Clark, and 6-0 senior forward Jesse Rousset. Coming off the bench will be 5-9 sophomore Chase Davis, 5-11 freshman Kent Russell, 5-11 sophomore Preston Hennrich, 5-10 junior Nick Rubino, 6-2 sophomore Kelley Smith, and 6-4 junior Ryan Shepherd.

Mancos is led Rousset who is averaging 15.5 points per game. North Park is paced by Brett Kaup who is scoring 21.0 points per effort.