Panthers stay at home for districts

RANGELY I With third place in the league locked up, all that was left for the Lady Panthers — as far as the regular season — was a rematch with Plateau Valley.
And again Rangely won in a blowout 52-28. The Lady Panthers won big in the previous meeting between the two teams 61-30, right before the Christmas break.
“I thought we did all right,” Rangely coach Jimmie Mergelman said in an understatement. “We kinda got off to a slow start. But our press worked really well again.”
The Lady Panthers’ defense has been causing opponents fits of late.
“The best we’ve played was the last couple of games, as a whole, including the Meeker game,” Mergelman said.
In the game prior to last Friday’s rematch at Plateau Valley, Rangely hosted county rival Meeker and won 56-40.
“We’re playing well at the right time,” Mergelman said. “Hopefully that will continue.”
Rangely will host Vail Christian at 1 p.m. Saturday in the first round of districts. Rangely will also host the second round of districts, the following weekend.
“Providing we win (Saturday), we’ll play at home two weekends in a row,” Mergelman said.
The Lady Panthers beat Vail Christian 62-33 on Jan. 29.
Last Friday against Plateau Valley, Audrey Hogan again led the Lady Panthers in scoring with 18 — she’s been the team’s leading scorer all season — and Victoria Phelan and Roz Thacker added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Haeley Enterline was the team’s leading rebounder with seven defensive rebounds and three offensive boards.
Rangely finished the regular season with a 12-7 overall record, 6-3 in the league.
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Rangely’s second annual alumni basketball game will be Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the RHS gym.
“Anybody can play as long as they graduated from Rangely High School,” Mergelman said. “Just contact me and I will get them signed up.”
This year’s event will include a 3-point contest.
“Last year’s (alumni game) went well,” Mergelman said. “They’re all excited to play again.”
The alumni teams are paired up by odd years versus even years. Mark Skelton, Rangely boys’ basketball coach, will coach one of the alumni teams.