Meeker, Rangely

ALL-STATE BASKETBALL: Stacey Fitzgibbons, Patrick Phelan play in all-state games

RBC I Both ends of the county were well represented at last weekend’s all-state basketball games.
Stacey Fitzgibbons, who was recently graduated from Meeker High School, and Patrick Phelan, who was graduated from Rangely Senior High, both participated in the all-state games.
“It was a really awesome experience,” Fitzgibbons said. “I felt like I actually played pretty well.”
Her high school coach, Hallie Blunt, agreed.
“Stacey played really well,” Blunt said. “In the first game, she only got about five minutes rest in the entire first half and finished with seven points and about eight rebounds. She was only two for six from the free-throw line or she would have been in double figures. In the second game, her team really played well together and she had six points and probably eight rebounds. She said she really enjoyed her team and the entire experience.”
The all-state games were played at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Each team played two games.
“I knew the girls from Paonia from playing against them (during the season),” Fitzgibbons said.
Fitzgibbons was the Western Slope League’s co-most valuable player and was first in the state in rebounding (11.7 per game) and fourth in scoring (17 per game) in Class 2A.
For Fitzgibbons and Phelan, they have played in their final games of organized basketball. Both will attend college in the fall, but they won’t continue their basketball careers.
“I’m gonna miss it so much,” said Fitzgibbons, who will attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. “I have an offer to play there, but I also have a full ride for livestock judging. It would have been a really full load to do both. Just with the little time off (between the end of the season and the all-state games), I missed it a ton. It was awesome to be on the court again, but college ball, it’s not high school anymore.”
Fitzgibbons played volleyball and basketball at MHS. But basketball was her favorite sport.
“Definitely,” she said. “I love the game of basketball.”
Fitzgibbons was a two-year starter for the Lady Cowboys.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet (that her playing days are over),” she said.
Fitzgibbons’ coach said the all-state games were a fitting way for her to end her career.
“It was a great reward for the dedication and hard work of an elite group of athletes,” Blunt said. “I was so proud of Stacey. I told her she looked at home among the very best. This was really an outstanding finish to an exceptional high school career.”
Phelan, who will stay at home to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, plans to major in geo-science.
“They wanted me to play ball here, but I decided against it,” said Phelan, who averaged about 25 points a game during his senior season. “I have enough credits that I’m almost a sophomore. So I’ll get my associate’s in a year and then go somewhere, probably Mesa (State College in Grand Junction) and stay close.”
Phelan enjoyed the experience of playing in the all-state games.
“I did all right,” he said. “It’s been awhile. I got hurt in track. The very first meet I pulled my hamstring, but that didn’t bother me much in basketball.”
Phelan was impressed with the quality of players in the all-state games.
“Oh, there were some really good players,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Phelan’s coach, Mark Skelton, traveled to Greeley to watch his former player in the all-state games.
“He did pretty well,” Skelton said of Phelan, who was the leading scorer in the Western Slope League. “In the first game, I think Patrick had 11 points and seven in the second game. So, not a bad showing, and it was against all classifications of players, from 5A to 1A. He did a nice job. It showed Patrick some things, that he can play at any level suited for him.”
Meeker’s Mitch Jacob was named all-state in both football and basketball, but didn’t play in the games, because of a conflict. He was the league MVP in basketball.
“I wish he would have showed. Maybe we would have won a game,” said Phelan, whose team lost both of its all-state games.

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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