Meeker Sports, Sports

Cowboys win district tourney

MEEKER — For the second time in three years, the Meeker High School boys’ basketball team has won the District 5 tournament.
With a convincing 84-50 win over county rival Rangely on Friday, and a hard-fought victory over Plateau Valley 61-50, the Cowboys have earned the No. 1 seed in the Region 5 tournament. Meeker will square off against Longmont Christian at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mesa State College gym in Grand Junction.
Friday in Meeker, the Cowboys got out of the blocks quickly against the Panthers. Mitch Jacob and Brock Campbell paced the Cowboy offensive attack with eight and six points in the quarter. Meanwhile, the defense only allowed three baskets and a free throw from the Panthers and opened up a 23-8 first quarter lead.
Jacob continued the hot hand for the Cowboys in the second as he counted for six more points on short-range jumpers. Meanwhile, Campbell and senior Brian Crowe continued to rain in the 3-point shots as Meeker counted for nine 3-pointers in the game. Offensively, Rangely could not get anything going against the stingy Cowboy defense. Panther Michael Morton was able to lead his team with four points in the quarter. As has been the motive for most of the season, the Cowboys had basically put the game out of reach in the first half as they lengthened their lead to 42-17.
Rangely was able to somewhat find the range in the third quarter as they accounted for three 3-point shots, two by Patrick Phelan and a 15-point quarter.
Meeker, however, countered the Panther offense and nearly doubled the output with 27 of their own as Jacob, Crowe and Tyrel Gerloff counted for seven, six, and six points, respectively. Rangely actually outscored the Cowboys in the fourth period by an 18-15 score as Cowboy Coach Klark Kindler substituted his bench in to finish the game.
The Cowboys were led in the quarter by Ryan Wix’s four points, while Rangely countered with Denny’s five. Jacob led all scorers in the game with 21, followed by Gerloff and Crowe with 12 each.
Meeker had secured themselves a place in the championship game Saturday against the other Cowboys from Plateau Valley, which eked out a narrow 55-52 win over a scrappy Hayden team earlier in the night. The highlight of the game came on the final shot as the Hayden 3-point attempt to tie the game circled the basket several times before finally falling out as the final buzzer sounded.
“We had a really great crowd for the tournament,” said Kindler, “and our student body gave us a great boost in both of our games.”
Saturday in the championship game against the Plateau Valley Cowboys, Meeker again started quickly. Jacob found the range early and quickly counted eight points before his hot hand cooled. However, Crowe and Campbell picked up the scoring for the Cowboys as they counted for six and five in the quarter as Meeker opened up a 21-11 lead at the end of the first.
The Cowboy scoring machine fell on a cold quarter in the second as they were only able to count for five points in the quarter. Meanwhile, the Plateau Valley team cut into the lead and closed out the half with the Meeker quintet leading by only four 26-22. Crowe took charge of the Cowboys in the third quarter as he gathered eight points on his dribble penetration into the paint.
Meeker won the third-quarter scoring with 15 but couldn’t pull away from the opponent Cowboys as the quarter ended with a 41-35 lead for Meeker. PV closed to within two points of Meeker at one time, but were forced to send the ‘Pokes to the free throw line in the final minutes to get the ball back. Crowe calmly sank all of his opportunities at the charity stripe to close out the win for the local Cowboys 61-50. Crowe, playing his last home game in a Cowboy uniform, led all scorers in the game with a sound 24-point effort.
Meeker will now play in the Region 5 tournament against the District 7 fourth-place team Longmont Christian. The other regional game will feature Rangely squaring off against the District 6 second-place team Custer County. Prior to the district tournaments, Custer County was ranked fourth in the state, while Meeker was holding down the third state ranking. Meeker has not faced the Longmont team in the past.
“Longmont is reported to be quick and athletic,” said Coach Kindler, while “Custer County has a good guard and a good post player.”
Should both the Cowboys and the Panthers win on Friday, it will set up a third game between Meeker and Rangely for the right to go to state in Pueblo.

Semifinal summary
Meeker 23 19 27 15 - 84
Rangely 8 9 15 18 - 50
Jacob 7-2-1-5-21, Rowlett 4-0-2-2-10, Brown 3-0-0-1-6, Nieslanik 0-0-1-3-1, Gerloff 5-0-2-2-12, Steiner 1-0-0-0-2, Campbell 1-3-0-2-11, Crowe 0-4-0-0-12, Matrisciano 1-0-1-2-3, Kilduff 1-0-0-0-2, Wix 2-0-0-0-4. Totals 25-9-7-17-84.
K. Denny 1-1-0-1-5, Chavez 0-0-1-2-1, Brady 1-0-2-4-4, Perzinski 0-1-0-0-3, Phelan 2-2-3-4-13, Herrera 0-2-0-0-6, Dahl 1-1-0-0-5, Morton 4-1-2-4-13. Totals 9-8-8-15-50.

Championship
Meeker 21 5 15 20 - 61
Plateau Valley 11 11 13 15 - 50
Jacob 2-2-1-2-11, Rowlett 4-0-0-4-8, Brown 0-0-3-5-3, Nieslanik 1-0-0-0-2, Gerloff 3-0-0-0-6, Campbell 1-1-2-4-7, Crowe 6-2-6-7-24.Totals 17-5-12-22-61.
Schweer 0-2-0-0-6, Schuman 5-0-1-2-11, Grundy 2-0-0-0-4, Hawkins 1-1-1-0-5, Bruton 1-0-0-0-2, Coon 5-0-4-6-14, Schuman 4-0-0-0-8. Totals 18-3-5-9-50.

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
5 days ago
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
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