The boys basketball team had a great weekend on the court, and the Mustangs took the district championship title on Saturday, earning a ticket to regionals and the opportunity to host the event in the new Nucla school.
The guys defeated Dove Creek on Friday, 55-42, and then De Beque for the championship, 54-53. Jennifer Dinsmore, mother of Owen Dinsmore, referred to the game as a “nail-biter” on social media.
On Sunday, head coach for the Mustangs Kelly Arnold said, “you could say that at the least.”
The Mustangs were down by one with 10 seconds left, after De Beque hit a three-pointer. But, the Mustangs inbounded the ball, and Brycen Rummel passed to Owen Dinsmore, who made the layup for the win.
“Owen had a great game, and a great weekend,” Arnold said. “Hitting that game-winner was super for him.”
Coach said Brycen Rummel, Steele Arnold and Slade Gillen have been very consistent all season in scoring points for the Mustangs. And, Hemmy O’Brien had a great game Friday night in district play and put up a lot of points for the Mustangs.
The guys will practice hard this week, and the regional tournament begins Friday, March 1, at home. Then three other teams will travel to Nucla.
“It’s awesome to host in a brand new school and make teams from the other side of the mountain travel here for once,” coach said.
He is planning for a “white-out” game on Friday. Arnold has a collection of white Mustang T-shirts that will be given away upon gate entry. He’ll give away all the shirts he has in stock, and the first people in the door will receive them. Coach encourages fans to white out the stands to support the Mustangs.
Last weekend’s victory no doubt felt good for seniors Steele Arnold, Joseph Casillas, Hemmy O’Brien and Owen Dinsmore.
“It was an awesome feeling for sure,” Steele Arnold said Sunday morning. “That’s what we have been working for and planning for.”
He said many of the team members have played together for years, even the underclassmen because of AAU basketball. He’s also proud to host the regional tournament.
“Traveling is fun and builds a lot, but being able to play in our own house, our own gym, will be a boost,” he said.
Kelly Arnold, who’s also the athletic director for West End Public Schools, found out Monday the teams traveling to the West End for regional play are Flatirons Academy, Briggsdale High School and Prairie High School.
The girls team had a rougher go, but it’s not over for them yet. They only played one game for districts and fell to De Beque in the semifinals, 32-35. Still, the ladies get to play in the regional tournament, but will have to travel.
They will play Friday in Kiowa. If they win, they’ll get to compete again on Saturday for a ticket to the state tournament.
