As the 2024-25 basketball season wound down, Damon White Thunder could sense guard Hayes Malone’s junior-year capabilities. By the time Bayfield High School boys basketball’s ’25-26 campaign wrapped up all too early, so did just about any encountered opponent.
“Hayes, he’s going to be great – had to sit out all last year – so it’s so awesome to see him doing well this year,” White Thunder had said late last season after a home game. “And … big shots, that’s Hayes’ game; he’s a smart player.”
Scoring nearly 300 points as a junior, Malone (12.4 points per game; one game not reported) was rewarded for all his production as one of the top names on opponents’ scouting reports. He and senior Martinez (7.4 points per game; two games not reported) were named First-Team All-Intermountain League at season’s end, while junior Cameron Queen (8.1 points per game; two games not reported) received Honorable Mention All-IML as 3A Bayfield ended up 14-10 overall and 6-6 in the 3A/4A IML
Malone, though, was typically the pace-setter – especially when a comeback was required, such as in the Wolverines’ season-ending overtime loss out in Peyton to Colorado Springs St. Mary’s. And even after Malone had fouled out, nine 3-pointers and 33 points to his name, the Pirates couldn’t afford to breathe too much easier what with Wolverines like Martinez and Cameron Queen still in the fight and also having shown ability to hit from long range.
And, of course, try guarding SMHS’ players as tightly as possible – a skill Martinez particularly savored.
“Kingston’s our best on-ball defender, and he takes that assignment willingly,” said White Thunder. “Loves playing defense. And in the post right now, Cameron’s stepped up big-time; he’s a big kid working hard for us, trying to get downhill toward the basket – so that’ll open up some more shots outside.”
Ignacio senior Trace Crane also was named First Team All-IML after averaging roughly 14 points and 10 rebounds a night for the 3A Bobcats (9-13, 2-10 IML). Crane was capable of either bringing the ball into the frontcourt to set up an offense, or stepping out onto the wings to either defend against opposing players. He could show off his own shooting range, or simply operating in the paint like a conventional low-post player,
Also named first team all-league were junior guard Trey Hall, senior guard Trace Hartsoe, junior forward Asher Bennetts and sophomore guard Ah-Dae Lang of circuit champ Montezuma-Cortez. One of the Intermountain’s highest-flying talents and plenty capable of taking over at either end of the court, Hall was also chosen as IML Player of the Year.
M-CHS’ Michael Hall was named coach of the year after guiding the Panthers to a 12-0 mark in regular-season IML action, and to a historic 25-1 overall finish after a 72-63 loss to Greeley-based University on March 1 inside the Denver Coliseum during the CHSAA Class 4A State Tournament’s single-elimination Great Eight phase.
