MEEKER | The Lady Cowboys finished their regular season strong, with a huge win over the Aspen Skiers and gaining some serious ground on the North Fork Miners. The 5-14 record does not reflect the growth of the young team on the court.
The 68-23 victory over Aspen, huge for any game, was bigger than their previous matchup.
(No stats available)
Saturday was senior night and the final home game for girls. For Brea Garcia and Jayden Overton, who are the only seniors on the team, this was their final game at Meeker High School. Garica, who has been out due to an ankle sprain, was allowed to start one more time, before being pulled in an effort to not risk further injury.
The North Fork Miners came to Meeker with a record of 14-5 and ranked 16th according to MaxPreps. The Cowboys came out strong and held the lead into the third quarter. They closed the gap from their previous encounter, losing 31-39.
“The girls came out strong,” commented head coach Jamie Rogers. “Their first half they were making baskets and getting some big stops. We had trouble finding a way to score in the third quarter but they kept battling”.
Outscored in the third four to one, the Cowboys shut it back down in the fourth but were unable to answer the points the Miners put up in the third.
Juniors Ellie Hossack and Ainsley Selle each broke double digits, with 11 points. Freshman Rylee Sullivan had five, and Overton and Reese Clatterbaugh each added two.
Off the boards Selle led with 12, Sullivan had 10, Clatterbaugh eight, and Overton five.
When district brackets were released Meeker was traveling North Fork to face the Miners again, two times in just four days.
The Cowboys fell 33-53 in the first round of districts. Tuesday night games coupled with long bus rides are hard to overcome. Ultimately in their inaugural 3A season, the Cowboys came out and battled each and every game.
The first round of district play is single elimination. The loss and ranking of the Lady Cowboys means they will not have an automatic bid into regionals. They will need to be in the top 32 teams come Sunday evening to make it as a wild card into regionals. Currently they are sitting 46th.
Top stat leaders at the end of the season for the Cowboys:
Selle led with 11.2 points per game scoring a total of 202 points this season and she was the top rebounder with 10 per game, 180 in total
Hossack averaged 8.4 points per game and had 152 points and she also had 2.6 assists per game.
Charlie Rogers scored 91 points, the third most on the team.
Clatterbaugh pulled down eight rebounds per game which totaled 144.
Sullivan topped the free throw percentage with 65 and came in third with 72 rebounds.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times