ALAMOSA – Providing essential get-up-and-go, Durango High School’s Tayler Dossey made sure the White Team got off and running properly in both its 2019 Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games girls basketball contests last weekend in Alamosa.
Having scored close-range baskets beginning each game, she helped the squad ultimately save third place with a 49-25 rout of the Black team inside Adams State University’s Plachy Hall last Saturday in a game that started at 9:30 a.m.
“(It’s) an early game, but you’ve got to get up, come play,” she said. “It was just a really good environment, and it was great to get a win, finally.”
Lamar Community College-bound Dossey totaled six points during the placing game, as she went 4-of-5 at the foul line. White built up a 13-1 lead during the first 10-minute, running-clock quarter and went into halftime ahead 23-11. Cedaredge’s Courtney Freeman logged a game-high nine points for the victors, while Castle Rock-based Castle View’s Madison Hema booked seven and Oak Creek Soroco’s Chloe Veilleux matched Dossey’s six.
“Felt good, felt like it was midseason,” Dossey said. “Just being able to come out and play hard, I really enjoyed it.”
Red’s 27-20 halftime advantage proved too much to overcome despite White winning the semifinal’s fourth quarter 9-7. Yuma’s Cody Robinson racked up a game-best 14 points, with Lamar’s Brecken Payne (12) and Haxtun’s Dawson Knode (10) joined her in double figures.
Nonetheless, Dossey indicated the All-State Games were, on and off the court, beneficial.
“I thought it was great,” she said. “It’s an awesome experience to play with players you don’t usually get to see. It’s just awesome to meet new people from across the state.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen any future teammates, but if some of these girls go and be my competition, it’ll be great to see them and play.”
