Dolores girls look ready to make another state run

Dolores girls look ready to make another state run

Dec. 1, 2001

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Anymore when a sports fan around here says girls basketball immediately Dolores High School comes to mind.

Dolores, since the mid-1990s, has been THE school in the area when it comes to the sport. They have finished third three times (1994, 95, and 2000) and fourth once (1999) at the Class 2A State Basketball Tournament between then and now. They have won San Juan Basin League titles in 1993, 94, 99, 00 and 01. They have District III Tournament titles in 94, 95, 00, and 01. The Bears have been Western Regional qualifiers from 1993-2001. Last season won both the San Juan Basin League and District III Tournament titles but lost to eventual state champion West Grand at Regionals under Mellott. Many of those other titles were made while Greg Buffington, who has returned to the team this year as an assistant, was head coach. Mellott said he is "tickled" to have Buffington, who stepped down at the end of last season in order to concentrate on getting in some college course work and tending to other matters, back in the fold. Buffington said he’s "glad to be getting back into it (coaching) girls basketball again."

The Bears return a veteran team back for the 2001-02 campaign. Those returnees include senior point guard Jennifer Trevillian, senior Sarah Nielson, plus the sister acts of senior Amanda and junior Jennifer Cross, senior Ashley and sophomore McKenzie Reed, juniors Tracy and Joni Everett. Newcomers are freshmen Melissa Schmitt and Amber Thompson. A couple more spots are being held open when playoff time nears.

But just because Dolores is carrying only a 10-person roster right does not mean the Bears won’t have depth. Every player on that roster can play. There is not a weak link in the bunch.

"For what I would about this year’s team is that we will be competitive," second-year DHS head coach Rob Mellott commented. "I think we will be competitive all season through. We have an experienced team and we’re looking for good things from them. Experience is certainly our strength."

Although the Bears won’t have that commanding height, they will start from 6-foot with an average of about 5-8.

"We should be a good rebounding team. A lot will depend on how well we will box out," he said.

Look for the Bears once again to pressure opposing guards hard to force turnovers. It is that transition game which the Bears thrive on. They like to push the ball up and down the floor at every opportunity. When they are forced to set up, they are patient and work the ball well until they get the shot they want.

Defensively, the Bears will pressure, mostly man-to-man.

Mellott said he won’t say that his team is the team to beat for the San Juan Basin League title.

"I would have to say Telluride. They are going to be pretty good. They were pretty salty a year ago. I understand they have some transfers from Nucla (one namely point guard Inga Johansson). The (Chelsey) Padilla girl is back," he said.

Dolores opened season Thursday, Nov. 29, and will continue today, Dec. 1, playing in the Meeker Tournament, a new event for the girls’ schedule. The Bears played North Park on Thursday in the first round. Other teams besides host Meeker include Snake River, Wyo., Cedaredge, Grand Valley, Frederick, and Hayden.

"This is a good chance for us to see some of those schools up north. I know it is tough on our fans because it is so far away, but we felt it was worth it," he said.

The Bears visit Class 3A Bayfield on Dec. 7 and visit Aztec, N.M., on Dec. 8. They visit New Mexico powerhouse Shiprock on Dec. 18 before breaking for the Christmas-New Year’s holidays. They return to action Jan. 11 when the Wolverines make a return date at home. The Bears go to 3A Ignacio on Jan. 15.

They play the first round of home-and-home San Juan Basin League games beginning with a home game against Norwood Jan. 19. They go to Dolores County Jan. 25 and host Telluride Jan. 26. The Bears host Nucla Feb. 1 and visit Mancos Feb. 2. A non-conference game at home against Ignacio is slated Feb. 5.

The last round of home-and-home league games begin on Feb. 9 when the Bears go to Norwood Feb. 9. A trip to Telluride is on tap Feb. 15. They host Dolores County Feb. 16 and play at Nucla Feb. 22. They host Mancos Feb. 23 to end the regular season.

"I like our schedule this year. We get to see a lot of different teams than we have in past. It will be very competitive. We have tried to upgrade our schedule," Mellott remarked.

District III pigtail game (for girls) is set Feb. 27. The District III Tournament will once again be held at Montezuma-Cortez High School March 1-2. Regionals will be played in Grand Junction on March 9. State is slated for Pueblo March 14-16.