MEEKER | The Meeker High School boys basketball team faced its first road test of the season this past weekend at the Windsor Showcase Tournament, taking on Lotus School for Excellence and Banning Lewis Academy.
Meeker entered the tournament with a 1‑3 record following a narrow 63‑59 loss to the Moffat County Bulldogs in the White River Electric Cowboy Shootout the previous weekend. The Cowboys began the showcase Friday against Lotus, a team coming off a 74‑42 win over Vanguard Classical East and holding a 3‑1 record.
The game was tied 17‑17 at the end of the first quarter, but Lotus held a 31‑24 lead at halftime. Meeker responded in the third quarter, outscoring Lotus 19‑7 to take a 43‑38 lead into the final period. The Cowboys held on in the fourth quarter to secure a 64‑57 victory, earning their second win of the season.
Meeker’s junior-heavy lineup showed flashes of speed and teamwork, rallying in the second half after falling behind. The team improved defensively and played with energy, helping secure the close road win. “We played well at times,” said head coach Klark Kindler. “Both teams were very athletic, and every time Lotus would make a run in the second half we would hit a big shot to stop the run.”
Saturday, Meeker ran into a stronger opponent in Banning Lewis Academy, falling 71‑41. Junior Trent Sanders led the Cowboys with eight points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Senior Sam Conrado added six points and 10 rebounds, while junior Said Rodriguez contributed eight points and three assists. Junior Carlos Carrillo added four points and three rebounds, and junior Elai Powers chipped in four points and four rebounds.
Coach Kindler said Banning Lewis’s athleticism and quick hands made it difficult for the Cowboys to execute offensively. “We had too many turnovers,” he said. “We are looking forward to league play. We have played a challenging non-league schedule to get us ready, and hopefully we will see the benefits of that.”
The loss dropped Meeker to 2‑3 on the season. Following their first road tournament, Meeker will be back in action Jan. 9 at Grand Valley, hoping to apply lessons learned and gain momentum as the season continues. Games are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.