TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER | The 18-1 lady Cowboys basketball team has entered its post-season, seizing the league title before the regular season ended and seeding them in the number one spot moving into districts.
Wrapping up their last regular season game on the road, they dominated Hayden with a 30 point victory, 53-23. The defense only allowed five points in the entire first half, all in the first quarter. “Our defense was very strong,” commented head coach Jamie Rogers. Gracie Bradfield and Megan Shelton provide consistent defensive leadership. Off the bench, Kirsten Brown provides the depth needed to sustain the energy the entire game.
The district seeding had Paonia facing off against West Grand in a pigtail to determine who would take on the Cowboys. The 33-28 defeat of the Paonia Eagles by the Mustangs on Monday ended the Eagles’ season and brought West Grand to Meeker on Tuesday.
“With every game now we want to play as a team, work hard, continue to prepare and enjoy every moment,” Rogers said.
The previous match of the Mustangs and the Cowboys ended with a 69-17 in favor of the Cowboys. Tuesday’s game ended with a score of 61-20, a running clock at the beginning of the fourth quarter and the Mustangs unable to score because of the dominating defense by the Cowboys.
“Our bench is deep,” Rogers said. “Both defensively and offensively, we can pull girls off the bench and the game intensity does not stop.”
The eight-team district bracket moves onto Thursday, Friday and Saturday tournament play in De Beque, Colo. District 5 is the largest in the state and is allowed to take five teams to regionals, those teams winning Tuesday place one through four and are guaranteed a regional position, actual placing to be determined Friday and Saturday. These teams are Meeker, Rangely, Soroco and Hotchkiss. Meeker will take on Rangely first, and while the Cowboys have already sealed their bid to regionals, it is important for them to keep playing well, have a strong RPI, and hopefully host regionals in Meeker.
“This week we will continue to focus on our defense,” commented Rogers. “We only have two days of practice and our defense is the reason for our success.”
The consolation side of the bracket will begin play on Thursday. The four teams on this side are battling it out for the one remaining spot left for regionals. Friday’s game against Rangely begins at 3 p.m.
By Tiffany Jehorek | Special to the Herald Times
