One did his damage near the basket.
One most often did his quite far from it.
Both Ignacio center Gabe Cox and Bayfield junior guard Cooper Roderick were recently named First Team All-Intermountain League for the 2023-24 season.
Looked to like a lighthouse, Cox was usually guard-powered Ignacio’s top-scoring option and clear-cut rebound leader. And though the Bobcats finished a fifth-place 2-8 in IML action, the senior big’s presence alone generally concerned opposing coaches, who had to plan on trying to prevent him from posting up, receiving entry passes only he could reach and then twisting to the hoop.
And as IHS (8-15 overall) managed to qualify for the CHSAA Class 3A State Tournament as the No. 31 of 32 teams, second-seeded Bishop Machebeuf had to always account for his whereabouts – which only helped create opportunities for many of Ignacio’s perimeter threats. Fortunate to eke out a 63-54 win, the Buffaloes couldn’t have been happier to see Cox and the Bobcats leave eastern Denver’s Lowry neighborhood. Having started the season earning All-Tournament status in La Jara at Centauri’s Mountain Top Classic, Cox averaged (based on numbers available for all but one game) about 12 points per outing – after averaging 15.1 ppg in IHS’ 13 games before February.
Finishing sixth in the 3A/4A Intermountain with a 1-9 record, Bayfield went 3-17 overall but boasted a talent that enemy leaders couldn’t ignore in their battle plans. Feared from beyond the three-point arch, junior guard Cooper Roderick averaged more than 13 points per game while hitting roughly 33% from downtown and 71% from the free-throw line.
Teammate Lincoln Williams, also a junior this winter, was named Honorable Mention All-IML; the high-flying point guard averaged close to 10 points, five boards and four assists per outing. Relied upon more for defense and ball-handling than offense (about 2.5 ppg in 21 total appearances) in ’23-24, Ignacio senior guard Devante Montoya was also an Honorable Mention All-League selection.
