The Rangely High School lady Panthers celebrated their end of season in grand style this year with a luau event. The event was put on by Cheri Smith and Brooke Lohse for the 2022-2023 lady Panthers who finished in seventh place at state with a 19-6 overall record, a Western Slope League Championship, a District 5 championship and a Region 6 championship.
For the season, the varsity team lettered 14 members. Senior MacKenzie Manchester, juniors Ryann Mergelman, Annika Cantrell, Kastyn Dembowski and Emma Smith earned repeat varsity letters. The sophomores who lettered were Emmeree Wagner, Lexi LeBleu, Kaitlyn Cox, Ashlynn Ducey, Miah Wren, Miley Chism and Jade Miller. Freshmen Aubrey Kenney and Addison Scott earned varsity letters.
The Junior Varsity team was also celebrated as they finished with a 19-1 record and a perfect 8-0 record against league opponents. Earning participation awards was junior Emma Smith, sophomores Lexi LeBleu, Emmeree Wagner, Kaitlyn Cox, Afton Robertson and Jade Miller. Freshman earning participation awards were Aubrey Kenney, Sidney Lujan, Addison Scott, TyLee Fielder and Aubrianna Tapia. Sophomore Paola Munoz and freshman Alivia Green earned varsity letters for their outstanding efforts as the managers.
Team awards based on player performance, grit, team-first attitude and showing improvement were handed out as well. The Rookie of the Year award went to freshman Addison Scott who came on late in the season and logged time in the regular season, district tournament, regional tournament and state tournament. The JV most-improved was given to freshman Aubrianna Tapia while the varsity most-improved was given to sophomore Emmeree Wagner. The team 6th Man Award was given to junior Kastyn Dembowski who came off the bench each game and played great defense on tough players. The Biggest Heart Award was given to junior Annika Cantrell who was sidelined for a month of the season with an ankle injury and she did not let that slow her down as she became a force in the league and playoffs. The Most Valuable Player award was given to Ryann Mergelman who led the lady Panthers in numerous offensive and defensive categories.
The Panthers also enjoyed the most Western Slope League All-Conference selections than any other team in the league. Two lady Panthers were named to the Western Slope All-Conference Honorable Mention team: sophomores Miley Chism and Ashlynn Ducey. Three Panthers were named to the first team Western Slope All-Conference team: juniors Ryann Mergelman and Annika Cantrell, and sophomore Miah Wren. Head Coach Jimmie Mergelman was named the Western Slope 1A/2A Coach of the Year.
Ryann Mergelman, Annika Cantrell and Miah Wren were all named to the Mile High Preps All State Tournament teams with Cantrell and Wren making the honorable mention team and Mergelman making the first team. Coach Mergelman was also named by Mile High Preps as the Western Slope Coach of the Year.
The lady Panthers basketball program would like to thank all the parents and their endless support given all season long. They would also like to thank all the people who traveled to Loveland, Colorado, to support the Panthers at the 2023 State Basketball Tournament. This year would not have been as great without all the support from the parents and fans of the Rangely lady Panthers.
Special to the Herald Times
