In just their first season since moving up an entire classification, the Cowboys finished the regular season 12-7 and entered the postseason with a CHSAA RPI ranking of 23rd.
After a busy and rigorous middle of the season, seniors Casey Brink and Jon Cardile entered the Meeker High School gym last Saturday not knowing if it would be their final time playing on their home court.
The Cowboys hosted the North Fork Miners for senior night and the final regular season game. Led by junior Jace Mobley with 14 points, the dominating performance by the Cowboys in the first three quarters held the Miners off when they put up 25 points in the fourth quarter. Juniors Ryan Sullivan and Jacob Simonsen added a combined 22 more points, while senior Brink added four.
Jonathan Fitzgibbons with 11 rebounds, and Brink and Mobley with seven each led the Cowboys off of the boards.
District matchups were announced Sunday and into Monday and with one of the top seeds the Cowboys earned a host position, playing the Gunnison Cowboys. Tuesday’s game was the third time these two teams would meet this year, each time Meeker pulled further and further ahead. Final Tuesday score was 60-40, with nearly everyone getting some playing time.
The win faces Meeker against the Roaring Fork Rams on Friday at Grand Junction Central High School, game time 3 p.m.
The Cowboys are playing for a spot in the regional tournament on their road to state. A win at regionals is an automatic bid into regionals, otherwise they take the next top 24 teams.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
