A short week with just one game for the Roaring Fork High School boys and girls basketball teams gives way to a big endurance test with five games scheduled over eight days headed into February.

Both Rams teams dispatched the visiting Meeker Cowboys on Saturday, Jan. 25, in the RFHS Gym. The girls won 72-44 and the boys won 66-37.

Roaring Fork’s boys remain atop the 3A Western Slope League standings at 5-0 (10-3 overall), two games ahead of Grand Valley.

For the girls, the win keeps them in the hunt at 5-1 (13-1 overall) behind undefeated Cedaredge (13-0 overall, 8-0 league). The Bruins handed the Rams their only loss on Jan. 17.

Against Meeker, Roaring Fork’s girls were trailing 21-16 at the end of the first quarter, and held a slim 31-29 lead at halftime.

The girls shifted into high gear in the second half, outscoring Meeker 41-15, and taking command of the game.

Sophomore Riley Bevington and senior Carley Crownhart each had 21 points to lead the Rams in scoring. Bevington and Crownhart also had eight and seven steals, respectively, to help turn the momentum around in the second half. 

Junior Nikki Tardif added 10 points, 11 rebounds and four steals to the winning effort.

Boys record 4th quarter shutout 
A 29-0 run in the fourth quarter for the Rams boys punctuated a big win over Meeker in a game that was knotted 37-all after three periods of play.

“We knew we had to light the fire in the fourth quarter. Our guys came out flying around on defense and were being aggressive on offense,” head coach Jason Kreiling said, calling out the play of junior Ethan Wilson and sophomore Quentin Galbraith in particular. 

Playing without the services of the team’s leading rebounder, junior Kiko Pena, who is still nursing an ankle injury, the Rams adapted and relied on their three-point fortunes and aggressive defense to pull off the win.

Junior Lucas Carballeira had 25 points, including four 3s and three steals, and senior Sam Brennan finished with 11, including three 3s. The Rams also had nine steals as a team and outrebounded the Cowboys 28-23.

Both Rams teams are at home this Friday, Jan. 31, against 4A Aspen (5:30pm varsity girls, 7pm boys), kicking off an eight-day stretch that will see Roaring Fork on the hardwood five times. That stretch includes key 3A league games at North Fork on Saturday, Feb. 1, and at home against Olathe on Feb. 7 and Gunnison Feb. 8.

“These non-league games are going to be really tough,” Kreiling said of games against Aspen and Coal Ridge. “We can’t start slow like we have. Aspen and Coal Ridge are doing well, and it will be great competition for our team to see how well we are really playing. 

“It’s a lot of games over the next week, but it will be a good test for us and it will be fun. These guys love to compete.”

Lady Rams coach Mike Vidakovich concurred.

“There’s no special preparation for the upcoming stretch of games,” he said. “I know the girls will go out and work as hard as they can and that’s about all I can ever ask of them.”

Rams varsity basketball home schedule

Friday, Jan. 31 — vs. Aspen, 5:30pm girls, 7pm boys

Friday, Feb. 7 — vs. Olathe, 5:30pm girls, 7pm boys

Saturday, Feb. 8 — vs. Gunnison, 12:30pm girls, 2pm boys

Saturday, Feb. 15 — vs. Grand Valley, 2:30pm girls, 4pm boys