Durango High School saw both of its basketball teams reach the state tournaments, and some of the Demons’ leaders were recognized by coaches across the league for their strong play.
Three boys and two girls from DHS were selected to Southwestern League all-conference teams.
Senior guard Isiah Mayberry, the son of George and Tonya Mayberry, was selected to the boys first team. The 5-11, 171-pound senior was recognized for his leadership and tough defensive play.
“He is a hard-nosed kid who helps us out tremendously,” DHS boys basketball head coach Alan Batiste said. “He is an energy guy and a motivator. He stepped up and guarded the best player from whoever we played in the league. He challenged kids, and he did it all on his own. If he saw someone else was heating up, he would switch to guard them.”
DHS senior center Trent Andrews and junior guard Nate Atencio both were named to the second team. It was the second consecutive year Andrews, the son of Alan and Nancy Andrews, was selected to the second team. He averaged eight points, five rebounds and two blocks per game, Batiste said.
“Trent made the second team solely off defense last year, but he improved tremendously with his offense this year,” Batiste said. “He always had a knack on the defensive end, and he changed games there.”
Atencio, the son of Joanna and Raymond Atencio, earned attention for his smart play on the court.
“Nate held it down for us. He didn’t turn the ball over and was a great leader on the floor,” Batiste said.
Grand Junction’s Broderick Robinson ran away with the SWL Player of the Year award. Dutch Johnson, Robinson and the Tigers’ head coach, won Coach of the Year honors.
The two DHS girls selected, senior forward Emily McCue and junior guard Katie Wiegert, both were named to the first team.
McCue, the daughter of Frank and Julie McCue, led the Demons with 15.7 points per game. She also averaged 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.7 assists per game.
Wiegert, the daughter of Coby and Jill Wiegert, was a strong leader at the point guard position. She averaged 12.3 points, three assists, 2.1 steals and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Grand Junction again swept the coach and player of the year awards: Sydni Brandon was the SWL Player of the Year, and her head coach, Sam Provenza, was SWL Coach of the Year.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
All-Southwestern League
Boys Basketball
First Team
Ross Barney, Montrose
Trey Fair, Grand Junction Central
Isiah Mayberry, Durango
Broderick Robinson, Grand Junction
Matt Story, Fruita Monument
DJ Wells, Grand Junction
Brackin Whiteskunk, Montezuma-Cortez
Second Team
Trent Andrews, Durango
Nate Atencio, Durango
Ridge Droskin, Grand Junction
Greg Echer, Grand Junction
Kyle Freeburg, Montrose
Dylan Row, Fruita Monument
Angelo Youngren, Montrose
Coach of the Year: Dutch Johnson, Grand Junction
Player of the Year: Broderick Robinson, Grand Junction
Girls Basketball
First Team
Syndi Brandon, Grand Junction
Kassidy Fair, Fruita Monument
Vanessa Herrera, Fruita Monument
Elise Hill, Montrose
Emily McCue, Durango
Emily Thorp, Montrose
Katie Wiegert, Durango
Second Team
Tori Catlett, Grand Junction
Bryce Gatt, Montrose
Elisa Jahnke, Grand Junction
Mariah Love, Fruita Monument
Stephanie Rowan, Montrose
Shafer Rubalcaba, Grand Junction
Taryn Smith, Grand Junction Central
Coach of the Year: Sam Provenza, Grand Junction
Player of the Year: Sydni Brandon, Grand Junction
Durango Herald
