MEEKER | The Meeker Cowboys head into the 2025–26 boys basketball season young in age but not short on potential. With just one senior, Sam Conrado, on the roster, the Cowboys will lean heavily on a core group of returning juniors as they look to build on last year’s foundation.
Head coach Klark Kindler, entering his 27th season at the helm, said the team enters the season encouraged by the strides it made over the summer. “We had a good summer from a team standpoint and showed improvement,” he said, noting that the group’s chemistry and competitiveness have taken a step forward.
With roles shifting each year, Kindler said the emphasis has turned to the junior class stepping into leadership positions. Players like Trent Sanders, Cade Mills, Tucker Chinn and Said Rodriguez return with valuable varsity time and will be counted on to anchor both ends of the floor.
One of the biggest changes fans can expect this winter is tempo. Kindler believes this roster is built to play faster and hopes to take advantage of the team’s athleticism. “We should be able to push the tempo this year,” he said, adding that the Cowboys are at their best when they get into transition.
Still, one key question remains: shooting. Meeker struggled from the perimeter last season, and Kindler said improved accuracy will be essential if the Cowboys hope to compete in a balanced Western Slope league.
That league, he said, runs through Roaring Fork, which returns nearly its entire nucleus from a season ago. Behind the Rams, Kindler sees a tightly packed field of contenders, with Meeker needing to win tough conference matchups to stay in the hunt by February.
Despite the youth, Kindler likes what he has seen from his group through the first weeks of practice. He praised their defensive commitment, effort and energy — traits he believes will make the Cowboys an enjoyable team for the community to rally behind.
“They play really good defense and play extremely hard,” Kindler said. “This team will be fun to watch.”
Meeker begins its 2025–26 campaign next weekend with the Cowboy Shootout, scheduled for Dec. 11-13. The Cowboys open the season against Lake County, which finished the 2024–25 season with an overall record of 11‑12. In league play, the Panthers went 5‑3, placing fifth in their conference. A near .500 record overall suggests Lake County was competitive in many games, even if they weren’t dominant, and their solid league mark shows they could challenge opponents on most nights. With returning players and new talent, they could be looking to improve this season, making them a team Meeker will need to stay sharp against in the opener.
With a blend of youth, returning experience and a fast-paced style, the Cowboys will rely on their juniors to lead the way. If their early-season energy and defensive intensity carry over into games, Meeker could be a team that surprises opponents and gives fans plenty to cheer for this winter.