MEEKER | Barone Middle School’s seventh and eighth grade boys’ basketball teams hit the road this past weekend, competing in a tournament in Soroco, Colorado, on Friday, Nov. 8, and continuing in Steamboat Springs on Saturday. Both grades showed impressive skill and determination, with the teams achieving numerous wins across the two-day event.
On Friday morning, Meeker’s seventh grade A team began their tournament against East Grand B, where they emerged victorious with a commanding score of 33-5. Gael led the team with 11 points, while Case scored six, and Whit, Thomas, Tyler, and Ollie each contributed four points, setting a strong tone for the weekend.
The Meeker seventh grade A team then played Soroco’s B team, winning convincingly, 43-9. Gael again led the scoring effort with 13 points, followed by Case with eight, Tyler with seven, Thomas and Ridge with six each, and Ollie with third points. In their third game, Meeker’s seventh grade B team faced Craig’s B team. Though trailing 14-6 at halftime, they managed to score in the second half, with Tadeo adding 12 points and Miles and Grayson contributing two points each. The game ended with a final score of 22-14 in favor of Craig.
Later that day, the seventh grade A team took on Craig’s A team, finishing with a solid 27-18 win. Gael led the scoring with 11 points, Case and Tyler added six points each, and Thomas scored four points. The Meeker seventh grade B team ended the day on a high note, defeating Soroco’s C team with a final score of 16-4. Tadeo once again led with 12 points, while Miles and Grayson each added two points.
On the 8th grade side, Meeker’s B team opened Friday by taking on East Grand, pulling out an 18-13 victory in what Coach Travis Anderson described as their “most complete game of the season.” They then played a half with the seventh grade B team against Craig’s B team, holding a competitive stance. The following day, the Meeker 8th grade B team won decisively against Soroco with a final score of 32-4, with nearly everyone contributing on the scoreboard.
Meeker’s 8th grade A team played five games over the weekend, winning all of them. Their riday games included a 33-14 victory over East Grand, followed by a hard-fought win against Soroco, 28-18, where they turned around a halftime deficit by holding Soroco to just 4 points in the second half. They concluded Friday with a strong 34-18 win over Craig.
On Saturday, both 7th and 8th grade teams continued their competition in Steamboat. Meeker’s 7th grade A team opened by playing Soroco’s C team, winning 41-12. Scoring contributions came from Case (6 points), Ollie (4), Gael (9), Thomas (6), Whit (4), Dillon (6), and Tyler (6). In a challenging second game, Meeker’s 7th grade B team fell to Sleeping Giant, ending with a score of 33-2, with Jaxson scoring the team’s only points.
The 7th grade A team wrapped up their weekend with a comeback win against Sleeping Giant’s C team. After trailing 6-12 at halftime, Meeker turned the game around, finishing 24-17. Gael led the team with 11 points, while Case contributed 9, and Thomas added 4. Coach Kuris Dunbar praised his team’s performance and resilience throughout the weekend. “Overall, Meeker’s teams displayed resilience and teamwork, achieving several strong wins and providing fans with exciting moments throughout the weekend,” Dunbar stated.
Meanwhile, Meeker’s 8th grade A team continued to impress, securing a 28-10 win over Soroco, holding their skilled guards to minimal points and using a press strategy to maintain control. In their final game against Sleeping Giant, they established a strong lead early on and went on to win comfortably, 48-26. Head Coach Travis Anderson commended his team’s focus, saying, “On Saturday, they were able to come out focused and played great basketball.”
With a perfect 12-0 record, Meeker’s 8th grade team heads into the season-ending tournament this coming weekend, determined to finish undefeated. Both the 7th and 8th grade teams look forward to competing, and their community is rallying behind them with excitement and pride.
By JARED HENDERSON
