MEEKER | The Barone Middle School seventh and eighth grade basketball teams competed in the
Sleeping Giant Tournament in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, last weekend, facing teams from
Meeker and Steamboat Middle School.
In the first game on Saturday morning, Meeker’s seventh grade B team lost to Steamboat’s
seventh grade B team, with a final score of 28-7. Meeker’s points were scored by Jaxson with 2
points in the first half, and Owen. In the second half, Joshua and Tanner contributed 2, 2, and 1
points, respectively.
The second game saw Meeker’s seventh grade A team secure a 25-13 victory over
Steamboat’s seventh grade A team. Tyler led with 6 points in the first half, while Case added 2
and Gael contributed 3. In the second half, Case scored 4 more points, Gael added 4, and
Tyler, Ridge, and Ollie each contributed 2 points.
In the third game, Meeker’s seventh grade B team faced a challenging opponent in Sleeping
Giant’s seventh grade B team, ending with a 20-2 loss. Miles scored the only points for Meeker
with a basket in the first half.
Meeker’s seventh grade A team finished the day with a strong performance against Sleeping
Giant’s seventh grade A team, winning 26-15. Case scored 4 points in the first half, with Gael
adding 1, Tyler 5, Owen 2, and Dillon 2. In the second half, Gael led with 7 points, supported by
Ridge (2), Ollie (2), and Dillon (1).
Head Coach Kurtis Dunbar praised his teams’ efforts, stating, “It was a day of competitive
basketball, and our teams displayed resilience on the court. We appreciate Sleeping Giant for
hosting a well-organized day of games.”
“While it may not show on the scoreboard, our seventh grade B team—many of whom have
never played organized basketball before—is making progress in their ability to execute
fundamental skills. We are also pleased with our A team’s ability to play at a high level for the
entire game,” he added.
The eighth grade teams also had a successful weekend in Steamboat Springs. The eighth
grade B team played against Steamboat’s B team, led in scoring by Teagan Smith and Josh
Simmons. Despite their efforts, the team fell short, losing 16-13.
In their first game of the season, the eighth grade A team faced Steamboat’s A team. After
struggling in the first half against Steamboat’s zone defense, Meeker excelled in the second
half, limiting Steamboat to just 2 points and winning 15-12.
In their second game against tournament host Sleeping Giant, Meeker’s eighth grade team
improved their shooting significantly. Led by Lawson Anderson and Liam Thomson, the
Cowboys won 27-14.
Both the seventh and eighth grade Barone Middle School basketball teams will return home this
Saturday to host Hayden Middle School and Rangely Middle School. Good luck to all
competitors this weekend—go Cowboys!
By JARED HENDERSON | Special to the Herald Times
