Meeker Cowboy basketball came within seven points of winning the White River Electric Association Cowboy Shootout last weekend.
The Cowboys opened the tournament to Monument Academy, a team which was playing its first ever varsity game. Led by Ryan Sullivan with 16 points, Jonathan Fitzgibbons with 12, and Jace Mobley with 11, they outscored Monument 80-10.
The win Thursday evening kept them on the right hand side of the bracket to play Lotus School of Excellence on Friday. It was another resounding win, controlling the Meteors shot and pulling down rebounds from the majority of the baskets they attempted, led by Fitzgibbons off the boards. Mobley was the first to break into 20 plus points for the year during the Lotus game which ended 66-21, he put up a third of the points. Fitzgibbons and Sullivan combined for another 26, but there was tremendous contribution from the bench.
The Cowboys then met Palisade in the finals, a 5A team that was well matched for the 3A Cowboys. It was anyone’s game in the last few seconds of play; the Cowboys were within two points and forced to foul to try and regain possession. Palisade sank their shots from the line and took the win 51-58.
Fitzgibbons led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds, Casey Brink also was defensively strong with five rebounds and nine points.
This weekend they will host their final games until after the New Year. Friday the games against Vail Christian will begin at 4 p.m. with C team, followed by JV and then varsity.
Saturday both the boys and girls will be playing in Rangely for a special Foundation Game between the two towns. Now that Meeker has moved up to a 3A classification and Rangely remains at 2A, there are no regular season games. The JV will begin at 1 p.m., girls varsity will be at 2:30 and boys varsity at 4 p.m .
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times