MEEKER | The Meeker Cowboys are currently ranked No. 7 in a field of 13 in the Western Slope 2A League.
It has been a difficult road for the Cowboys this year, many tough close matches, nine games ending with scores 10 points or closer. This last weekend they faced Soroco, Hotchkiss, and once again Little Snake River.
“We did not guard very well in Soroco which had been the one thing we had done well all year,” said head coach Klark Kindler. The Cowboys, trailing the majority of the game, closed the gap at the end of the third quarter to a one point difference, ultimately they fell 68-61. Andy Kracht put up 22 points on the board and fellow senior Stephen Walsh provided 10 defensive boards.
“A much needed win,” commented Kindler in reference to the last home regular season game, “we played well against Hotchkiss.”
Hotchkiss came to town Friday to battle, but the Cowboys answered in each quarter, staying ahead in points the entire game. Cole Rogers tied his all time high for three pointers, with five, to top the stat leaders with 24 total points.
A rematch of the 41-38 loss on the Rattler home turf had the Cowboys traveling to Little Snake River on Saturday, to fill out a tough three days of competition.
“We were flat against Snake River which is understandable considering how many big games we have been in the last couple of weeks,” commented Kindler.
Tied at the end of the first quarter, Kindler continued, “We played hard but had no legs at the end.” The final score was 40-47, and there is one game left in regular season.
Friday JV and varsity travel to Hayden, “If we lose Friday we will have a home pigtail on Monday and travel Tuesday,” said Kindler. Pairings will come out Sunday with the finaled seedings for the league. A win against Hayden, who is currently ranked five below Meeker in the league means that Meeker will be able to bypass the pigtails and move on to quarterfinals, by playing on the road on Tuesday.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK | Special to the Herald Times