Season Preview: Southwestern League

<strong>How it all shook out in ‘19-20 </strong>Fruita Monument captured the league championship with a 7-1 record, 23-3 overall, winning 15 of its final 17 games. 4A Montrose was a game back in league and 19-6. Durango ended 5-3, 15-10. And with Central (G.J.) finishing at 12-12, only Grand Junction (winless in league and 7-18 overall) had a losing record. Four of the loop’s teams were at .500 or better. Plus, they did so with some of the most-extensive travel in the state. <strong>Teams –</strong> Grand Junction Central, Durango, Fruita Monument, Grand Junction and Montrose. <strong>Which playoff team advanced the furthest?</strong> The top of the league battled with the best before coming up short. Fruita Monument fell to powerful Grandview in the 5A quarterfinals. And in 4A, Montrose lost at home to Mullen for a second consecutive season, this one in the third round, where Durango also get knocked out by Green Mountain. <strong>A few returning players to watch</strong> [caption id="attachment_230729" align="alignright" width="257"]<img class=" wp-image-230729" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Dolcie-Hanlon-Grand-Junction-300x209.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="179" /> Dolcie Hanlon[/caption] Dolcie Hanlon, Grand Junction, 2021, G-F, 5-8 Hoping to pull the Tigers from the league cellar, Hanlon takes over as the top returning player on the GJ roster. As a junior last season, Hanlon led the team in scoring with nine points a game and also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals. The Tigers won seven games last winter and if they’re to surpass that total in Season B, Hanlon will be a big reason why. Mya Murdock, Grand Junction Central, 2021, G, 5-3 A very good athlete who’s also a top softballer, Murdock is as gritty on the hardwood as she in on the diamond. A natural athlete with great feel for space and timing, Murdock averaged 2.2 assists last season. She also scored 8.3 points a game, grabbed 3.8 rebounds and picked off 2.6 steals a night. This kid is just a gamer, plain and simple. [player_tooltip player_id="116810" first="Leah" last="Redding"], Central (G.J.), 2021, G, 5-5 [caption id="attachment_230731" align="alignright" width="253"]<img class=" wp-image-230731" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Leah-Redding-Grand-Junction-Central-300x223.jpg" alt="" width="253" height="188" /> [player_tooltip player_id="116810" first="Leah" last="Redding"][/caption]A year ago, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2020/02/prospect-profile-leah-redding-grand-junction-central-2021/">Redding</a> made a league-leading 100 free throws. That speaks volumes to this guard’s attacking mentality and ability to score the basketball. Redding averaged 13.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 1.4 assists as a junior in 2019-20. But what sets her apart on the Warriors’ roster is her ability to shoulder the load and come through in key moments for her team. [player_tooltip player_id="210356" first="Mason" last="Rowland"], Durango, 2023, G, 5-6 It’s always a very good sign when a player is named all-league as a freshman. Rowland’s 8.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals earned her that distinction in 2019-20. Durango fared quite well last season and has a good chunk of its roster returning, so it will be interesting to see how the team develops with Rowland presumably at the forefront. Kylie Wells, Fruita Monument, 2022, G, 5-6 The Wildcats graduated some really good players after last season so Wells will be counted on to pick up some of the slack from those losses. On the bright side, she looks she’s ready to do just that. Carving out a role at a young age in 2019-20, Wells averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals. She also shot 33 percent (14 of 42) from long range with limited opportunities as a sophomore. <strong>Some other names to know</strong> [caption id="attachment_230734" align="alignright" width="259"]<img class=" wp-image-230734" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/11/Sasha-Rascon-Grand-Junction-Central-300x218.jpg" alt="" width="259" height="188" /> [player_tooltip player_id="145412" first="Sasha" last="Rascon"][/caption]Jaycie Casebolt, Montrose, 2021, G-F, 5-8 [player_tooltip player_id="207136" first="Sydney" last="Flores"], Durango, 2022, F, 5-6 Maddy McManus, Durango, 2021, G, 5-6 Kyle Rowland, Durango, 2021, F, 5-7 Laney Laffler, Grand Junction, 2021, G-F, 5-7 [player_tooltip player_id="145412" first="Sasha" last="Rascon"], Grand Junction Central, 2022, C, 5-10 <strong>A quick, early look to Season B</strong> The SWL was senior-heavy a year ago, so, yes, here’s a chance for a wide-open race. Durango may have the inside track of what figures to be plenty of competition.