Rangely Sports, Sports

Panthers drop Hayden; advance to regional

RANGELY — The question of which Panther team will show up continued at the 2A district tournament last weekend in Meeker.
And both made an appearance.
Thankfully, the “good” Panther team turned out for Rangely’s second game last Saturday against familiar foe Hayden. The Panthers beat Hayden for the third time in four meetings this season, 63-56, to finish third at districts and advance to this weekend’s regional tournament at Grand Junction.
“I was actually quite pleased,” Rangely Coach Mark Skelton said of his team’s performance against Hayden.
Which was just the opposite of what Skelton thought of his team’s outing the previous night, an 84-50 drubbing by host team Meeker.
“That wasn’t even a game,” Skelton said. “We just didn’t even show up. I can’t even give you an answer of what happened.”
Meeker jumped out to an early big lead, 26-9, after the first quarter, and Rangely never recovered.
“I thought we were better than that, but that night we weren’t that good,” Skelton said. “It was just one of those games. We didn’t even look at the video of it. We just got ready for the next game.”
The Panthers were able to put the previous night’s game behind them, and went out and beat Hayden. Again.
“I don’t like to play any team four times,” Skelton said. “I’d rather play someone you don’t know anything about. They (Hayden) are very equal to us. Each game could have gone either way.”
Skelton was pleased with the way his team bounced back in the second game of districts, with a No. 3 regional-tournament seed on the line.
“The night before we got absolutely blown out, and sometimes when that happens you tuck your tail between your legs, but we didn’t do that,” Skelton said. “In moments, we played much better.”
Patrick Phelan led the way for the Panthers with a game-high 29 points, including five 3-pointers, and Kanden Brady reached double figures with 12 points.
The victory put the Panthers, 14-8, in the one-and-done Region 5 tournament, where they will play Custer County in the first round at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
“We know very little about them,” Skelton said. “We just know they won their league, but got upset in their district. So, I guess they are beatable.”
All four teams advanced out of each district, and Skelton was happy the Panthers wouldn’t have to travel to Durango or Denver, where the Nos. 2 and 4 teams are headed.
“We knew we were going to go somewhere, and wherever you go you will see top-caliber teams, but staying close to home, that will be nice for our fans to come down,” Skelton said.
The up-and-down pattern, which has been Rangely’s trademark this season, has Skelton concerned, but he knows his team is capable.
“It’s been that way the whole season,” Skelton said. “This team, sometimes they show up, and sometimes they don’t. Meeker was a perfect example of that.”
The Rangely coach doesn’t know which Panther team will show up at regionals, but he’s hoping it will be the one that beat Hayden.
“It’s that time, one step before state, where, if you don’t bring two A games in a row, you don’t deserve to go,” Skelton said. “With our kids, it’s not their ability; it’s in their head. But if they show up and play as a team, we’re as good as many of the teams in the state.”

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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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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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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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