Cowboys pick up two wins, improve record to 10-1

MEEKER I The Meeker Cowboys improved on their season record this past weekend with a pair of wins over the Vail Mountain Gore Rangers and cross county rivals the Rangely Panthers. The victories, coupled with a couple of losses of teams above them, helped move the Cowboys up in the state rankings. According to Colorado Preps, Meeker now stands as the number seven ranked 2A team in the state.
Friday at home, Meeker hosted the Vail Mountain Gore Rangers (0-8). Starting out with a tenacious full court press, the Cowboys left little doubt as to which team the floor belonged to that night. Behind a strong defense, the offense was able to find the basket early and often as the Cowboys quickly surged to a 19-2 first quarter lead. Cooper Smith, Gable Smith and Trey Morris provided all of the first quarter fireworks for the Cowboys. Meeker was able to substitute freely in the second quarter as 10 varsity squad members got playing time, scoring 14 more points. Vail gamely tried to stay with the ‘Pokes, but were unable to match their point output. Meeker took a commanding 33-10 lead into the halftime break. Jeremy Musgrave led Meeker in the quarter with five points.
Meeker picked up where they left off in the third quarter, again outscoring their opponents by four in the period. Seven Cowboys got in on the scoring parade, led by Dylan Mobley’s two baskets. A 51-24 lead carried the Cowboys into the fourth period. Cowboy coach Klark Kindler freely used his bench in the final period to give all 14 members of the team considerable playing time. Meeker was able to increase its lead by three more in the final period outscoring Vail 15-12. The Cowboys finished the game with a victorious 66-36 score. Cooper Smith led all scorers with 23, followed by Gable Smith’s 12.
Round one of the county basketball rivalry went to Meeker in Rangely Saturday night with a 60-40 victory over the Panthers. Rangely wasn’t about to go quietly though, the Panthers held a one point lead at the end of the first quarter on Connor Phelan’s seven point output. The second period was different. The Cowboys took control both offensively and defensively as the ‘Pokes put up 13 points while holding the Panthers to just four. Meeker stretched their 28-20 halftime lead into a 23 point lead at the end of the third period as the Smiths scored 15 of the 21 quarter points. Once again, subbing freely, Meeker was able to keep nearly the same pace as Rangely’s offensive output, allowing the home team 14 points while scoring 11 to counter them. It wasn’t enough for Rangely as the Cowboys stretched their season record to 10-1 while Rangely dropped to 3-8. Again Cooper Smith led all scorers with 21 while Gable Smith counted for 12 more.
Meeker’s next opponents will be the Debeque Dragons in Debeque on Friday, and the team will travel to Walden on Saturday for a game with the North Park Wildcats.
At approximately the halfway point of the season, Colorado Prep has the Cowboys ranked seventh in the state. The top 10 according to the Prep website is as follows.
1. Denver Christian (11-0)
2. Limon (12-0)
3. Peyton (8-2)
4. Sanford (10-1)
5. Ignacio (10-3)
6. Resurrection Christian (10-1)
7. Meeker (10-1)
8. Byers (8-2)
9. Wiggins (8-4)
10. Akron (8-2)