AMBER GARCIA PHOTO 
AMBER GARCIA PHOTO
MEEKER | 2022 basketball opened at North Fork High School, once Hotchkiss and Paonia independently, the newly formed high school is no longer in Meeker’s league and has moved up to class 3A.
“This was the first time the girls have seen a full man and high pressure defense,” said head coach Jamie Rogers.
North Fork was up 29-24 at the half. The Cowboys played them evenly in the second half, but couldn’t make up the gap.
“They shut down Sarah,” said Rogers, “and Hailey really stepped up and brought the ball down the court.”
Sarah Kracht, who ended the night with 23 points — three 3-pointers, six rebounds, and four steals — once again led the Cowboys in stats. Hailey Knowles had 13 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Ainsley Selle led rebounds with nine.
Final score was 45-52 to the North Fork Miners.
“It was a tough loss, but good for the girls to see that defense and play in a fast paced game,” Rogers said.
Saturday the lady Cowboys had their first home opener of 2022, their first league game for the year, and their first win against the Olathe Pirates.
“Walking into the gym we walked past the JV,” said Rogers, “every single one of the Olathe girls was taller than me; as a team they played aggressive full press, and I was worried the girls’ legs would be tired after Friday’s game.”
Kracht had 15 of the final 41 points and Knowles 10, accounting for well more than half of the total points.
In the first quarter the Cowboys were up big, 16-3 and went to the locker room 28-13.
The Cowboys championed over the Pirates 41-32 and are 2-0 in the league.
This week there are two more games, Thursday at Grand Valley when all of the winter sports teams travel to Parachute to take on the Cardinals. Wrestling begins at 5:30, girls varsity at 6:30 and boys varsity at 8.
The Cowboys will now take on Plateau Valley Friday instead of Saturday with games beginning at 4 p.m.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
