CHEYENNE – The opening day of the McDonald’s Classic was not very kind to teams from Sweetwater County. The Lady Tigers were the only team to take home a win beating Laramie, 46-38.
It did not start good for Rock Springs as Laramie jumped up 7-0 to open the first. The Lady Tigers did not score until there was 2:10 left in the first quarter. The ladies were sparked by Stevie Hill and were able to score eight points in the final two minutes to only trail by one at the end of one, 9-8.
In the second it was the Lady Tiger senior leadership which went to work, Darian Williams and Mariah Smith were able to push Rock Springs to the lead and at one point, Rock Springs went up five, 19-14. The Lady Plainsmen were able to score the final five points of the half to even it at 19 at the break.
Both squads matched shots to open the third until MacKensie Kroupa as able to knock down a couple of threes and Smith continued to knock down shots as the Lady Tigers took a 35-28 lead after the third.
The one thing which really showed on Thursday was the unselfish play by the Lady Tigers. Almost every bucket in the second half had an assist attached to it. Most of these set-up passes came from the hand of Maggie Justinak who was able to find teammates for easy hoops.
Smith was able to put the Tigers up nine in the fourth and the team was able to maintain it for the most part. In the final couple of minutes, Rock Springs made it interesting, missing several free-throws but were able to push through for the eight-point win.
Rock Springs Tigers
For the Tigers, it was a well played first half. Carter Rosette and Austin Pivic were able to get things going for Rock Springs. It remained close for most of the first half but with time ticking down in the half, Laramie hit two, three pointers to take a five-point lead 21-16.
The late three’s seemed to take the wind out of the Tigers as Laramie scored the first nine out of the break. Demetrius Davenport was able to convert a three-point play the old fashion way and Rosette also added points but the Plainsmen led big, 36-21.
Trevor Hautala had a strong second half and Keegan Rembacz also had strong minutes in the second but Laramie rolled to a 66-35 win. Rosette had 10 points to pace the Tigers while Hautala added six and Davenport finished with five points and two boards.
Green River Wolves and Lady Wolves
For Green River, it was not the start they hoped for but both teams faced Sheridan teams which are ranked on both sides.
Sheridan took a 20-5 lead to open the boys game with Hayden Love providing four of the five Wolves points. Kamden Carroll hit a three in the second quarter and Tanner Trumble also added a bucket but Sheridan was on taking a 41-12 lead at half.
The Wolves held Sheridan to only eight points in the third but only scored six as Sheridan downed the Wolves, 63-29.
The Lady Wolves did not fare much better as they only managed 21 points in the game against Sheridan as they opened with a loss 57-21.
McDonald’s Classic Scores and Friday Schedule
Girl’s Scores
Cheyenne South 52 Ft. Collins, CO 44
#4 Cheyenne Central 47 Grand Junction, CO 44
#1 Sheridan 57 Green River 21
Evanston 41 Windsor, CO 40
#5 Rock Springs 46 Laramie 38
#2 Cheyenne East 54 Riverton 23
#4 Cheyenne Central 46 Kelly Walsh 43
#5 Natrona 67 Cheyenne South 46
Girls Friday Schedule
#1 Sheridan vs. Grand Junction, CO – 11 a.m.
Kelly Walsh vs. Laramie – 11 a.m.
Laramie vs. Ft. Collins, CO – 3:30 p.m.
#5 Natrona vs. Windsor, CO – 3:30 p.m.
Rock Springs vs. #1 Sheridan – 5 p.m.
Evanston at #2 Cheyenne East – 6:30 p.m.
Riverton at #4 Cheyenne Central – 6:30 p.m.
Green River at Cheyenne South – 6:30 p.m.
Boy’s Scores
Thursday, January 8
Windsor, CO 68 #3 Evanston 59
#5 Sheridan 63 Green River 29
Laramie 66 Rock Springs 35
#1 Kelly Walsh 55 Cheyenne Central 42
#2 Cheyenne East 58 Riverton 54
Natrona 66 Cheyenne South 50
Boy’s Friday Games
Rock Springs vs. #5 Sheridan – 2 p.m.
Riverton vs. Laramie – 2 p.m.
Natrona vs. Windsor, CO – 5 p.m.
#1 Kelly Walsh at #2 Cheyenne East – 8 p.m.
#3 Evanston at Cheyenne Central – 8 p.m.
Green River at Cheyenne South – 8 p.m.
