Asked earlier in the season about key improvements upon the previous year that he'd seen in his Bobcats girls, Coach Shane Seibel replied:
"What I know is they're willing to play so hard for each other. They will not get on each other; they will challenge each other but they will also just encourage. And play.play hard!"
Unfortunately the Ignacio girls finally met an equal in that regard, ending their spectacular winter.
Forward Hilda Garcia registered 15 points in what would be the last game of an outstanding freshman campaign, and junior forward Ellie Seibel scored nine, but behind senior Sydney Hughes' 21-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist performance Meeker prevailed 63-47 in the 2A-Region III Tournament's semifinals.
Meeker forced the San Juan Basin League champs to attempt a climb out of a 19-point halftime hole.
After going 8-14 overall during Seibel's first season in charge, IHS finished 17-5 in 2014-15. Unfortunately, they lose fiery point guard Sky Cotton and reserve low-post player Amya Bison to graduation.
"Sky had an amazing year...with all the obstacles she overcame her growth was pretty cool to see," Seibel said via e-mail. Fighting through foul trouble she finished with two points, five rebounds and four assists.
"Amya was most improved, very coachable, and provided a great attitude in practice everyday," he continued, noting that Bison did not attend the game due to a knee injury suffered during practice the week of IHS' upset of defending Class 1A State Champions Norwood.
Finishing 17-6, Meeker took a 60-34 smacking from Cedaredge in the next day's Region III finale, denying them a return to the 2A state championships. The Cedaredge Bruins improved to 21-2 entering this weekend's play.
