Cowboys grounded by Eagles 37-70

MEEKER — The Paonia Eagles easily handled the MHS Cowboys last Friday night in Paonia 37-70. The loss makes this week’s game with cross-county rival Rangely pivotal for both teams as the winner will receive the number three seeding for the upcoming district tournament.
Playing without the services of two of their starters, the young Cowboys found the going rough from the opening. The Eagles benefited from good perimeter shooting to start the game and kept that up to put Meeker in a 15-point deficit in the first period.
Meeker was only able to score five points in the first period and six in the second as Paonia continued their scoring parade and opened up a 23-point halftime lead. The intermission did little to stem the Eagles. The ‘Pokes were able to better their first half scoring efforts as they counted for double digits in the third with 12 but still found themselves down 23-58.
Brock Campbell led the way for Meeker with five in the period. Meeker’s scoring was consistent in the fourth as they counted for 14 while holding the opponents to 12 but the game was already out of reach for the Cowboys as the Eagles cruised to a relatively easy 37-70 victory.
The Cowboys were led by Brian Crowe who counted for 10 Cowboy points. Meeker was only able to go to the charity stripe two times in the game and that was in the third period when Crowe made both of his attempts. Meanwhile, Paonia stepped to the line 18 times in comparison.
This week’s game will feature the Cowboys and the Rangely Panthers in Meeker Friday. Both teams are very young and could be a preview of the league race for future years. Rangely has losses to Grand Valley and Plateau Valley but owns a two point victory over Paonia. The Cowboys have losses against Grand Valley and Paonia but have beaten Plateau Valley. The contest between the two, as always, should be hard fought.
Saturday will be the last regular season home contest for the Cowboys as they host South Routt County (Soroco) in a non-league game. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.