Conference win for ladies

MEEKER I Now ranked 10th in the state for 2A girls’ basketball in Maxpreps and Colorado Preps, the lady Cowboys rally on to play conference games against Paonia Friday, Feb. 10 in Meeker and head to Oak Creek to play Soroco Saturday. After a big victory over 3A Grand Valley Tuesday, Jan. 31, Meeker traveled to Collbran to win by 40 points over the Plateau Valley Cowboys.
Against Grand Valley Meeker initiated their assault with a 3-pointer for the eighth game in a row. Then the lady Cowboys once again attacked defensively with their persistent full court press, causing the Cardinals to turn the ball over numerous times. Meeker began with a one point margin in the first quarter (13-12), then they turned up the heat to lead by nine at halftime. The third quarter was the big scoring quarter for the lady Cowboys. The Cardinals put eight on the board and Meeker pounded 20 points in to lead by 20. The lady Cowboys continued their pressure as they dominated the game, 60-36.
Four Cowboys hit double digits in this team effort against the Cardinals. Taylor Neilson scored 13, Kaysyn Chintala added 12, Kathryn Doll cashed in 11 and Aly Ridings made 10. Deena Norell added six while Aubrey Walsh, Kacey Collins and Sydney Hughes each hit a bucket.
Head coach Greg Chintala said he was “pleased with the balanced scoring and intense defense” of the lady Cowboys.
Saturday, Feb. 4 Meeker controlled the game from the jump ball. With their now signature-3 pointer off of the jump ball, Meeker commanded an early lead by capitalizing on some layups from steals in their relentless full court press. Meeker controlled the game 21-5 at the end of the first quarter. The rest of the game the lady Cowboys held the pressure defensively while cashing in offensively. The second quarter buzzer sounded and Meeker was up 31-12.
Every player found the basket when they hit the floor as the lady Cowboys racked up a 40 point victory to end the game 72-32. Neilson led with 20 points, Ridings cashed in 17, Chintala and Collins added seven each, Walsh scored six, Kaitlyn Dinwiddie bucketed five, Hughes had four, Norell and Bailey Atwood each had a basket, while both Shelby Burke and Piper Haney sunk a foul shot.
The last three games played marked season highs for the lady Cowboy starters. Senior Aubrey Walsh had her personal best scoring with 14 points against North Park last Saturday. Tuesday, senior Kathryn Doll tore down 13 personal rebounds while Grand Valley only had 15 total as a team. Junior Kaysyn Chintala rounded up eight personal steals in that game, season highs for both Chintala and Doll. In the Plateau Valley game, sophomore Taylor Neilson had her top scoring game of the season and sophomore Aly Ridings drained three 3-pointers for her personal best.
Friday, Feb. 10 the Cowboys’ basketball teams host the Paonia Eagles at Meeker High School starting at 4 p.m. The teams are planning their yearly “Blackout” for this night. Join them and wear your Cowboy Black and Gold to show your support.