By Bobby Gutierrez
MEEKER | Meeker, Rangely and Soroco girls’ basketball teams finished the regular season with a 10-1 Western Slope League records and since Rangely beat Meeker and Soroco beat Rangely, then Meeker beat Soroco last Friday in the final game of the regular season, Meeker will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming regional tournament.
Soroco was undefeated in WSL play when they arrived in Meeker last Friday but they left No. 2 seed in the coming District 5 basketball tournament, which started earlier this week. Meeker played Hayden in the first round Wednesday after press time and depending on the outcome, the lady Cowboys would play again Thursday if they lost and Friday in the semifinals if they won Wednesday.
“It’s exciting to get the No. 1 seed for bracket positioning,” Meeker head coach Jamie Rogers said. “We have a strong league, with a lot of talented female athletes, so now we have to take care of each game.
Meeker took care of its final game of the regular season with a 54-33 win over the Soroco Rams in front of their hometown fans.
“The girls stayed so disciplined in a fast-paced and physical game,” coach Rogers said. “They rebounded well and got the ball out and up the floor, then found the best shot.
Meeker sophomore Julia Dinwiddie found some shots, as she led the lady Cowboys with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six steals. Megan Shelton also recorded a double/double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Gracie Bradfield scored nine points. Tori Lasker finished with seven points and 13 rebounds, Kenzi Turner scored six, while Kirsten Brown and Brittney Adams each made a basket.
The District 5 tournament will be held in DeBeque and depending on the outcome of Wednesday’s game, Meeker could be playing tonight in the consolation bracket if they lost or the semifinal game Friday if they won Wednesday. The top five teams from the District 5 tournament will advance to regional tournaments. The District 5 championship game will be played Saturday at 3 p.m.
As if any incentive was needed, the winner of the District 5 tournament will host a state-qualifying, regional tournament the following week.
UPDATE: The lady Cowboys won Wednesday night and will continue on in their quest for a championship.
