Demons Finish Strong: Ridgway Basketball Builds Momentum for the Future
The Ridgway Demons wrapped up the 2025–2026 season with a 9–13 overall record and a 5–7 mark in San Juan League play. The season was defined by resilience, steady improvement, and a team that continued to compete hard from the first tip in December all the way through the final games in March.
Throughout the year, the Demons showed their ability to battle with some of the toughest teams in the region while developing a strong identity built on effort, toughness, and teamwork.
The season began with a slow start, as the team earned three wins over its first thirteen contests. But that early stretch did not reflect the fight this group showed every night. Eight of those games were decided by six points or less, and in each one the Demons proved they were capable of competing with anyone on their schedule.
Rather than letting those close losses define them, the team responded. The players took ownership, raised their intensity, and finished the regular season playing their best basketball of the year—winning six of their final eight games.
Senior Leadership Sets the Tone
This year’s seniors played a major role in shaping the culture of the program.
Their leadership helped guide younger players, maintain intensity in practice, and keep the team focused through the ups and downs of the season. Their efforts helped return Ridgway Basketball to the top of the San Juan League standings for the first time in more than 25 years, laying the foundation for where the program is headed.
That leadership did not go unnoticed around the league.
- Brodie Musgrove — Second Team All–San Juan League
- Henry Deppen — First Team All–San Juan League
Both players represented Ridgway with toughness, competitiveness, and pride throughout the season.
A Season of Career-Bests
One of the most exciting parts of the season was the continued growth of the entire roster. Nearly every week, at least one Demon recorded a career-best performance in one of the major statistical categories.
The season began with senior Brodie Musgrove setting the tone, posting a 12-point, 19-rebound double-double against De Beque. That same game also marked the varsity debut of Xander Catron.
Freshman Ryan Wade scored the first points of the year for Ridgway’s freshman class against Montrose and later hit a clutch three-pointer at Telluride.
In the team’s first league victory, Tyce Burr delivered a breakout performance with career highs in scoring, rebounds, and deflections.
Bode Straub battled through a tough matchup to record a career high in points against Ouray, while Josue Born erupted for a 29-point performance at Caprock, one of the top scoring games of the season.
Despite dealing with injuries, Evan Young reached a career high in a strong performance at Dolores. Midway through the season, Liam Coughlin made his presence felt on the boards with 12 rebounds at Mancos.
Senior Night delivered one of the most memorable moments of the year when Sam Kinne hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Telluride, a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
That same night, Szander Laoussadi posted career highs with 7 points and 5 rebounds, making his own mark in front of the home crowd.
Even after an outstanding senior season, Henry Deppen saved his best performance for the stretch run. In a dominant effort at Dove Creek, he recorded a 40-point, 27-rebound masterpiece. That performance helped propel him toward a major milestone—scoring his 1,000th career point at Regionals against Sanford.
The Future of Ridgway Basketball
As we close the book on the 2025–2026 season, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who made it possible. Thank you to our players for the commitment and heart they gave every day, and to the families, fans, and community members who supported this team all year long.
What makes this program special is not just what happens during a single season, but what we are building together.
Our mission is clear: to be a high-character brotherhood that plays with purpose, toughness, and joy—a family that supports one another, grows together, and competes as one.
We are committed to creating a lasting legacy for Ridgway Basketball, a program built on trust, respect, and championship standards where every player is valued and every teammate is remembered. The work done this season is part of something bigger—something that will inspire future generations of Demons to carry the program forward.
The foundation is being built, and the future is bright.
