Mustang Sami Benge-Kulzer scrambles for the ball during the Peyton game on Dec. 1.
It’s still early, but if there is one thing that the Manitou Springs girls basketball team has learned about itself, it’s that the Mustangs have plenty of options when it comes to scoring.
And that’s going to be a big key to their success in the 2021-22 season. After Ashlyn Thomson and Lexi Vigil each scored 20 or more points in the Dec. 1 win over Peyton, the Mustangs have found scoring versatility all through the lineup.
Grace Allen’s return from her torn ACL is certainly a key factor, but with teams now having to deal with several threats on the floor, the Mustangs (3-2 overall) have been balanced in their offensive output so far this season.
“We talked the other day about our strategy of falling back on our teammates’ strengths when players like Ashlyn, Lexi and Grace help us produce,” coach Jessie Nunley said. “We couldn’t be more excited after coming off this weekend.”
The Mustangs went 3-1 to take third place at the University tournament in Greeley. In the 49-22 win over Frontier Academy on Dec. 9, Allen led the team with 13 points and Vigil added 10. Three other players scored at least seven points.
In the 57-46 loss to The Academy, Vigil was the only player to crack double-digits, but Allen, Bella Coscetti, Thomson and Abby Parker all scored at least eight points each on Dec. 10. The Mustangs concluded the tournament with a 53-45 win over Alamosa on Dec. 11. Thomson led the Mustangs with 12 points while Allen and Vigil each had 11.
“Grace is such a huge leader on the team and pushes everyone to try their best and give their best effort on the court,” Parker said. “She does that and she inspires everyone to do the same.”
The Mustangs tested themselves against the best on Tuesday, Dec. 14, as they traveled to Platte Valley to take on the defending state champions. The Broncos jumped out to a quick lead and rolled to a 72-40 win. The Mustangs will try to bounce back in their league opener against La Junta on Thursday, Dec. 16.