Both the boys and girls basketball seasons came to an end for Meeker last weekend with the boys finishing in the sweet 16 and the girls in the round of 32.
On the road, the girls went to Yuma to play Montezuma-Cortez. The Cowboys’ record reflected their strength of schedule but in the end did not reflect an appropriate ranking. The Panthers sat 10-11 ranking spots above the Cowboys, and were more evenly matched than Montezuma-Cortez was prepared for.
Point leader and senior Ellie Hossack put up 18 points during the 60-70 loss.
“Together as a team we have grown and made a lot of memories,” said Hossack. “Although we didn’t have the turnout that we wanted I was still very impressed with everything we have done. Our last game against Montezuma-Cortez is nothing to hang our heads over, scoring 60 at regionals is something to be proud of.”
On the year Hossack was the number two point scorer with 193 points, 47 rebounds, 41 assists, and 58 steals.
The whole team worked until the final buzzer and in the final minutes of the game the Cowboys would make a run closing the gap.
The effort by senior Ainsley Selle who scored 14, sophomore Rylee Sullivan who scored 13, and sophomore Reese Clatterbaugh who had 17 rebounds was matched by the Panthers and time ran out.
“It’s crazy that, for us seniors, our basketball career is over with,” began Selle. “I know that everyone on that court Friday night left it all out there. I couldn’t be more thankful for the girls I got to play with and the coaches who invested their time into me and our team. I am also so grateful for our community and the support they showed us. And, of course, my parents and the rest of my family were my number one fan. I’m so very thankful for their commitment and support towards me.”
Selle finished the year leading the team in rebounds with 158 while scoring 190 points. Sullivan, who scored 231 total points on the year, was the team leader for total points, free throws per game, and three-point percentage.
“This team has worked for two seasons to get Meeker girls basketball a competitive foundation built in 3A basketball. It has taken a tremendous amount of work and heart and I am so proud of all the girls,” commented head coach Jamie Rogers. “They played really well and battled the entire game.”
The boys got to play in front of a packed home crowd on both Friday and Saturday. With an amazing 20-3 record the boys also won their district, giving them the honor of hosting regionals for the first time since they became a 3A team. When the brackets were posted the Cowboys were hosting Florence, Banning Lewis and Montezuma-Cortez, with Banning Lewis being the highest-ranked team, but lost their district so they were forced to travel.
The Cowboys opened their regional with the Florence Huskies, a Front Range team that was accustomed to playing in high-stress games, and they came to win it all. They played tight with the Cowboys until the third quarter, when, led by senior Jace Mobley who scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, Meeker outscored Florence 24-17. The Huskies pulled it together in the fourth quarter and it became a defensive game. Three minutes passed in the fourth with no change in the score, 56-50 sat on the board until the Cowboys broke the stalemate with two minutes left in the game. The Huskies answered but were unable to keep up the pace. The final score was 64-54 and the Cowboys were in the Sweet 16.
Three Cowboys added double-digit numbers to the final 64 score; Mobley, Ryan Sullivan with 14 and Ethan Quinn with 10.
“It was really nice to play at home, we were able to have home gym advantage and we were able to practice before we played,” commented Mobley.
Meeker’s season ended Saturday when they took on the number eight-ranked Banning Lewis. The Stallions pulled ahead in the second quarter and the Cowboys were unable to answer it in the second half of the game. Final score 50-73.
Mobley and Sullivan led the team in scoring once again in their final time on the Meeker High School court. Mobley had 20 and Sullivan 11.
“It felt good to play in front of the home crowd for the last couple of games,” said Sullivan. “I loved to see how supportive our community was of us when I looked and saw everyone in the crowd.”
Sullivan finished the year with 302 points and 647 for his high school career. He pulled down 68 rebounds and led the team in assists.
Mobley led in points per game, steals per game, three-point percentage, points and steals. He was very close to crossing that coveted 1000-point mark in his high school career, his career total was 867.
The class of 2024, and specifically Selle and Hossack, have now reached the playoffs in both sports they have played this season. The volleyball team made another trip to state and the basketball team made the playoff bracket.
“Although I will not be able to step back on the court I plan to watch from afar to see what the upcoming girls will bring,” said Hossack. “Beneath me are some girls that have the drive to go far and I am excited for them. My advice to all underclassmen is just to have fun, not everything has to be so serious all the time!”
“I am very proud of us this season. I know it wasn’t the easiest and we had to battle through at times, but I believe we grew stronger through it,” finished Selle. “For underclassmen, my best words of wisdom would be to approach everything you do with the mindset that it will make you better. Make sure to stay kind and humble. Keep working hard and play for your team!”
Sullivan and Mobley finished their second very successful season for the senior year. In football, the Cowboys made it to the semifinals and now they made the elite eight in basketball.
“I would tell underclassmen to never take a second for granted because it feels like just yesterday I was a freshman too,” commented Sullivan.
Mobley echoes Sullivan saying, “My advice would be to enjoy it while you can because it will be over before you realize.”
