Cowboys lose in semis to defending state champions

MEEKER — The challenge was huge for the Meeker boys’ basketball team: play the defending state champions in the semifinals game of the district tournament, a must win for the Cowboys.
The Grand Valley Cardinals beat the Cowboys 56-43 last Friday and won the district tournament the following afternoon.
Meeker’s defense kept the Cardinals’ score low in the first half but unfortunately, the Cowboys’ low shooting percentage kept their score lower.
“Defensively we had the tempo where we wanted it in the first half,” Meeker head coach Klark Kindler said. “We just didn’t shoot well. We were working hard and getting open looks, our shot selection was good, we just couldn’t make it in the basket.”
The Cowboys trailed 7-9 after the first quarter, then scored 10 in the second, compared to Paonia’s 12 to put the Cowboys down by four at halftime.
The defending state champions hit four, three-pointers and outscored the Cowboys 17-10 in the third quarter.
“Grand Valley came down and scored three big baskets in a row and really put us in a hole,” Kindler said. “We didn’t shoot well the entire game and couldn’t come back.”
Meeker hit three, three-pointers in the fourth quarter but but the Cardinals on the free, where they made 12 of 16 and three baskets to end Meeker’s hopes of another trip to the state tournament.
Sophomore Dakota Rowlett led the Cowboys with 18 points, junior Brian Crowe added 10 and classmate Tyler Matrisciano finished with six. Sophomore Mitch Jacob scored four points, Meeker’s lone varsity senior Joseph Galvan hit a three-pointer and Tyrel Gerloff finished with two.
“If the kids continue to improve and have a good summer, they should be a pretty good team next year,” Kindler said.