Rangely, Rangely Sports, RHS Basketball, Sports

Panthers look to upperclassmen for experience

Chas Byerly, Jake Massey, Tobie Gasper, Gabe Garcia and Cory Evans will provide the senior leadership for the Panthers boys’ basketball team this season.
RANGELY I “We are finally top-loaded with experienced upperclassmen, which will be a welcome change in regards to leadership and cohesiveness,” Rangely boys’ basketball coach Eric Hejl said. “We will be returning nine varsity players from last year, including seven guys that started at least one varsity game last season.”
The Panthers will be led by seniors Chas Byerly, Jake Massey, Gabe Garcia, Cory Evans and Tobie Gasper, who all started practicing Nov. 9.
“This group of seniors has been playing together for a long time and I expect to get major contributions from them in their final year,” Hejl said. “Chas was out most of last year with an ankle injury but he’s looked great so far in practice and it’s nice to have him back at 100 percent. Jake, Cory and Gabe should give us good balance and leadership at the top as well. Tobie hasn’t played the last few seasons but he is very coachable and he’s a great athlete, so I’m excited about him being able to play a valuable role as well.”
Hejl, who started his third season as head coach, is also excited about juniors Cameron Enterline, Connor Phelan and Andrew Morton returning to the court.
“All three juniors on this year’s team have been varsity players since their freshman season and I couldn’t be happier with the progress they have made and continue to make everyday in practice.”
The Panthers finished fourth in the league last year with an 8-12 record, ending their season with what Hejl called “a disappointing playoff loss to Paonia on our home court,” and expects the league to be balanced from top to bottom this year, “without a clear-cut favorite.”
“If I had to pick a team to put a target on, it would be Hayden with all of their returning talent,” Hejl said. “Right now, we are the only team that we are focused on and I know that if we play together as a team, we will be a tough match-up for anyone.”
“You never really know how you’ll perform until it’s actually game time but based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m very encouraged about what this team may be capable of.” Hejl said. “We are only a week into practice and you can already sense that these guys have started to turn the corner confidence wise and I attribute a lot of that to coach (Paul) Fortunato and the football staff for getting the year started with a winning football season.
Cody Brunton will be the JV coach and assist Hejl again this year with the coaching duties, as will Hejl’s brother Chris.
“We’re not going to put the cart before the horse but with the right kind of sustained focus and work ethic, this could really be a fun season for a group that seems poised for a breakthrough,” Hejl said. “I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.”

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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.
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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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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