Horsemen Fight Hard in Tournament Despite Losses

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The Plains-Hot Springs boys basketball team didn't get a win at the divisional tournament in Pablo, but they put up a strong fight in their final weekend of play. They faced Anaconda, the eventual second-place team, and were down by 25 points at halftime. However, the Horsemen came out aggressive in the second half and held on for the entire 32 minutes. Cooper Meredith led the team with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Horsemen then lost to Troy in a season-ending game, but coach Tyrel Allen was proud of how his team competed and improved throughout the unique season.

Why it matters

The Horsemen's performance at the divisional tournament, even in losses, shows the team's resilience and growth over the course of the season. Despite facing a talented Anaconda squad and falling behind early, the Horsemen fought hard and demonstrated their potential. This bodes well for the program's future, especially with the co-op opportunity with Hot Springs next season.

The details

Against Anaconda, the Horsemen fell behind 35-10 by halftime but came out aggressive in the second half, scoring six points before Anaconda could respond. Turnovers plagued Plains, but they held on for the entire game. Cooper Meredith had a standout performance, leading the team with 18 points and 11 rebounds while hitting 9 of 10 free throws. In the season-ending loss to Troy, the Horsemen had a bad second quarter but fought back to within six points by the end. Meredith and Ben Aldridge each had 14 points in that game.

• The Plains-Hot Springs boys basketball team competed at the divisional tournament in Pablo on March 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Coach Allen looks forward to the opportunity to co-op with Hot Springs next season, which he believes will help the team improve and be better prepared for the upcoming year.