MEEKER | The Meeker High School girls basketball team returned to action this past weekend after a brief break to help run the Boys White River Electric Cowboy Shootout Tournament. The Cowboys traveled to Windsor, Colorado, to compete in the Windsor Showcase.
Meeker’s originally scheduled opener against Estes Park on Friday night was canceled, so the team faced Heritage Christian in a foundation game. The Cowboys won a close contest, 46–43, to get on the board.
The following day, Meeker faced Banning Lewis Academy in a game that counted toward their record. The Cowboys controlled much of the contest, ultimately claiming a 49–39 victory.
Freshman Cienna Rogers led Meeker with a team-high 20 points, while freshman Raegan Clatterbaugh added seven points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, anchoring the inside and creating second-chance opportunities. Senior Addie Knowles contributed six points and eight rebounds, and sophomore Julie Kracht chipped in six points to round out the scoring effort.
Clatterbaugh said she is learning a new role this season and emphasized the team-first mentality. “My biggest goal is for my team to win,” she said. “Stats only matter if they mean your team is on top at the end of the night.” She added that Meeker’s fast-paced style has helped the team execute effectively. “We are really good at speeding up teams, and we like to run a fast offense. I feel like we see each other well and get the ball where it needs to be.”
Meeker’s defense was key throughout the game, forcing turnovers and limiting Banning Lewis’ clean looks at the basket. The Cowboys generated offense off their pressure, using transition opportunities to build momentum when points were at a premium. Despite stretches of offensive inconsistency, Meeker executed when it mattered, making timely plays down the stretch to secure the win.
Head Coach Eric Hamilton said he was pleased with how the team has performed during its unbeaten start. “We were hoping to be undefeated going into Christmas, and the girls are playing well,” Hamilton said. “We’re playing a lot of girls right now, trying to figure out the perfect lineups. We’ve had some injuries, and the girls are really stepping up and filling in great.”
Hamilton added that he is especially encouraged by the team’s balance. “I’m most pleased with how scoring is spread out among the team,” he said. “We’re not relying on one girl to do everything. Our seniors are showing great leadership, but the younger girls are really stepping up and playing really well.”
With the win, Meeker improved to 4–0 to close out the month of December. Hamilton said the team must remain focused as it turns the page to January basketball. “We can’t be satisfied,” he said. “We have a really tough January and February ahead of us. We need to stay healthy and keep practicing hard.”
The Cowboys will look to carry their early-season momentum into the new year when they travel to face the Grand Valley Cardinals on Jan. 9. With a mix of experienced leaders and talented underclassmen, Meeker aims to keep its unbeaten streak alive and continue building confidence heading into league play.
Freshman Raegan Clatterbaugh gets ready for the jump ball against Soroco earlier this season, a game Meeker won 77–45. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO