The Nucla Mustangs are living the basketball dream this year. The boys are riding a big wave with a record of 15-0 and in the San Juan Basin Leage, 5-0. The guys are ranked No. 1 in Colorado for 1A boys basketball, most recently beating Mancos on Jan. 29, away, winning 77-44.
Head coach for the guys Mike Rummel told the Forum he’s expecting the boys to finish this season at No. 1 or No. 2, if they remain undefeated.
“Many of the teams we beat before starting league play are having good seasons, and that is keeping our ranking high,” Rummel said in an interview over the weekend. “We have seven league games left and one non-league game.”
He said it doesn’t take much to keep the guys focused at this point. He said they are really enjoying their collective success, and it’s keeping them very locked in.
“The juniors on the team have taken a big step up from last year, and that is the main force driving the success,” he said. “We still haven’t hit the peak yet though. (I’m) hoping that happens in a couple weeks, so we are full strength going into the playoffs."
Rummel said if the Mustangs end up ranked in the Top 8, then they’ll be hosting one of the regional tournaments. He said he is expecting as much of the girls team, because of their record.
“There’s a really good chance that six different schools will be bringing teams over for a boys and girls tournament — yes, if our boys and girls keep winning,” he said. “We still have four weeks of basketball before it’s for sure, and a lot can certainly change, but things are looking good as of now.”
It’s true the girls are well on their way. At 14-1, they’re also 5-0 in San Juan Basin League play. They too beat Mancos on Jan. 29, 49-37.
Head coach for the girls Stan Galley said there’s still a month of regular season play, and the girls have games throughout February. Plateau Valley has been their only loss, but he agreed it’s been an incredible season.
“It’s a good team, and sometimes you learn a lot more from losing than from winning every game,” Galley said. “It just shows us things we need to work on and get better at.”
He said the two games last week, against Dove Creek and then versus Mancos, the girls came out to play, but were a little slow in the first half. He said the second half, the girls got to moving the ball more on offense, something Galley said is important. He said it’s way better than just passing once or twice and then shooting.
At this point, Galley said every team the Mustangs meet on the court will be bringing their best game.
“The team at the top, everybody wants to knock you off,” he said. “We have to show up and play consistently every game.”
The girls are ranked No. 4 in Colorado for 1A girls basketball. Morale remains high.
“They were pretty excited after the Mancos game,” he said.
He said the first half was close, and the Mustangs were not getting the calls they thought they should be getting. Galley said the girls cannot let any of that affect the way they play. Regardless, they settled down in the second half, got some calls in the fourth quarter and then made free throws, so it all helped quite a bit. Galley said the girls controlled the ball better too toward the end.
The basketball teams face Telluride Friday, Feb. 6, at home, and then Dove Creek on Saturday.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Galley said. “The people in town, it’s a good crowd, they show up and watch.”
