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Wolverine girls shoot to repeat '08-'09 Intermountain League title
Bayfield hopes thinned bench won't derail bid
Herald Sports Writer
Photo by STEVE LEWIS/Herald
Bayfield High School junior Jana Baker, daughter of Tim Baker and Connie Dunn, takes a shot in practice last week. Bayfield hosts Piedra Vista today.
Click image to enlarge
STEVE LEWIS/Herald
Junior Caitlyn Simbeck, daughter of Brian and Cathy Simbeck, works on her jump shot in a BHS practice.
The Wolverines tip off the year with an early game today and then three more games next weekend in the Shiprock Tournament.
The early start pushed the preparation for coach Stephanie Dennison and the BHS girls.
“The Purple and Gold Night scrimmage was a good kickoff to the season for us," Dennison said of the intrasquad scrimmages held before the public at the BHS gym last weekend.
“It was good to get into game situations. That was a good event," she said.
“Now, we've got to get ready (for Tuesday's) opener," Dennison said. The Bayfield girls will host Piedra Vista High School from Farmington as part of a girls-boys doubleheader at BHS. The girls varsity game will start about 5:30 p.m.
“We have a lot to do, but these girls feel like it's just a game. That it's time to go play," Dennison said, adding that the Wolverines will feature a young team this year with a few returners from last year's Intermountain League championship team.
“We haven't really changed anything that we do," she said. “But we don't have a deep bench this year. We'll have to be conditioned mentally and physically."
She said the players seem to be meshing very well in the early season practices.
“We've got some girls who've played together, and we're integrating a couple of other players," Dennison said.
Myra Dean, a senior, returns after starting last year for the IML champions.
“Myra was a starter for us last year," Dennison said. Dean also was voted to the All-Intermountain League Honorable Mention Team last year.
Jacey Sirios, a junior, also is back with extensive varsity experience from last year. She also was part of the state-tournament volleyball team for Bayfield High School this fall. She's bouncing back from a late-season ankle injury suffered in volleyball.
Candace Shaw, a sophomore, also returns with varsity basketball experience.
She played extensively as a freshman last year when the Wolverines went to the Class 3A state playoffs.
The BHS varsity will include senior Laurel McCormick and junior Caitlin Simbeck along with sophomores Kayla McCormick and Breeta Moe.
Junior Jana Baker also is expected to provide varsity minutes for the Wolverines.
Another senior, Makaila Miller, will rejoin the basketball team after Christmas. She's recovering from a leg injury suffered during cross country season.
The Wolverines are led by Dennison, the head coach. Mike Seitz is an assistant coach. Christy Garnanez is the JV coach for Bayfield.
Volunteer coach Amy Krenner, who played for Dennison at BHS, also is helping out this season.
The fast early pace for Bayfield will continue with three games in Shiprock on three consecutive days, starting Thursday.
Next weekend, the Bayfield girls will play at Alamosa on Dec. 11 before hosting Mancos on Dec. 12.
The annual Intermountain League Tournament will be held Feb. 26-27 at Pagosa Springs this season.
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