ROCK SPRINGS — The Rock Springs Tigers return home this week for Senior Night on Friday against Jackson Hole and Star Valley on Saturday.

Nearly a third of the RSHS’ schedule remains. Jackson will pose a good challenge on the boys side while the Lady Tigers will take on a 2-14 Jackson Hole team. Star Valley comes in ranked fourth in 4A for the girls and sixth on the boys side.

Rock Springs High School
sports coverage is brought to you by these amazing sponsors:

Below are scores, photos, updates and recaps from Friday and Saturday’s games.

Friday, February 8th

VARSITY GIRLS

• RSHS 35 vs Jackson Hole 28
  • The Lady Tigers looked to bounce back after a loss against Evanston last week. Defense would headline this game as most of it was a series of stopping runs in order to catch up. In the first quarter, Jackson went on a 6-0 run and ate nearly half the quarter off of the clock. Jayden Robison for the Lady Tigers sparked a run for her team with a three-pointer to add to the single point on the board for Rock Springs halfway through the first. A  5-0 run for Rock Springs throughout most of the second quarter was overshadowed by the defense which didn’t allow a single Broncs point until the final minute of the half. Rock Springs went into halftime with a 15-10 lead. Almost script-like, the Broncs adjusted and began the second half with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 15 each. Similarly, the Lady Tigers again put on a 5-0 stretch to take a 20-15 lead. The runs would finally end in the fourth quarter as both teams were able to find a few more baskets. Jackson Hole struggled with turnovers all game long which ultimately benefited the Rock Springs side of the scoreboard. The Tigers came out on top in the end 35-28. On Saturday, the Lady Tigers welcome in a tough top-ranked Star Valley team. The game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Tiger Arena.

VARSITY BOYS

• RSHS 64 vs Jackson Hole 55
  • Rock Springs showed out against Jackson during the school’s Senior Night game. The Tigers found their fourth win of the season as they dominated the Broncs 64-55. From tipoff until the final buzzer, the Tigers played with intensity, purpose and passion. Offensively Rock Springs has struggled all year long to find an identity, however, any pre-existing beliefs about the offense were proven wrong. Consistency throughout all four quarters allowed Rock Springs to keep the lead from the second quarter onward. The third quarter was an explosive one. Senior Derek Lionberger and Justis Reese lit up the Broncs defense as Rock Springs recorded a 22-point quarter — one of the best quarters this season for the team. After claiming a 17-point lead at the end of the third, the Broncs were able to chip away at the lead until it was back within eight. Jackson wasn’t able to overcome the deficit in the end due to Rock Springs’ momentum as they closed out the game. Lionberger finished with 21 points followed by Reese who donated 10 points of his own. The much needed win will carry key momentum into tomorrow’s game against a solid Star Valley team. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Tiger Arena.

Saturday, February 9th

VARSITY GIRLS

• RSHS 36 vs Star Valley 54
  • Star Valley proved Saturday afternoon why the Braves are ranked fourth in girls 4A standings. The Lady Tigers opened up the first half against Star Valley in a  similar way to yesterday’s game against Jackson Hole. The struggle to find offensive production spilled over against the Braves as Rock Springs was only able to net 12 total points in the first half. The inability to finish at the rim and finding open shots gave good reasoning behind the 12-point half. Abby Coles for the Braves torched Rock Springs’ defense from behind the arc with several three-pointers through the first two quarters of play. Defensively Rock Springs was too slow on rotations for the near perfect ball movement by Star Valley. A 32-12 lead at halftime gave the Lady Tigers a daunting deficit to overcome in the second half.  The scoreboard saw some improvement for Rock Springs in the third quarter. Matching their first half total, the Lady Tigers stamped a 12-point quarter which cut the Braves lead to 20. Momentum would run out in the fourth for Rock Springs as the Lady Braves tightened up defensively and capitalized off of Rock Springs’ turnovers and mistakes. Star Valley won comfortably 54-36. The Tigers will have back-to-back games against Riverton next week. The first game will be here at home on Tuesday.

VARSITY BOYS

• RSHS 37 vs Star Valley 52
  • There was a bit of a winner’s hangover from Friday night’s convincing victory over Jackson Hole. Shadows of previous games concerning the offense seemed to reappear in the first quarter against Star Valley. Rock Springs had four turnovers within the first handful of possessions which helped spark a quick lead for the Braves. RJ Caizer of Star Valley proved to be the go-to scorer early on in the first. A pair of jumpers and a three-pointer gave the Tigers a 16-9 deficit. However, a full-court shot at the end of the first by Justis Reese cut the lead to six heading into the second quarter. The Braves had a similar second quarter and didn’t handle an improved effort on offense by Rock Springs. Reese and Coleman Welsh led the way for Rock Springs’ comeback in the second quarter which cut the Braves’ lead 30-22 going into halftime. The Tigers stunned Star Valley coming into the third quarter. The Braves couldn’t find a shot until the three-minute mark. Rock Springs did a superb job of cutting off any attempt to get to the basket. Despite the better effort on defense, the Tigers still couldn’t find much offensively. Rebounding and foul trouble also attributed to a poor two-point third quarter for Rock Springs. Midway through the fourth quarter the Tigers strung together a 8-2 run which had once again brought the game within eight. Star Valley was able to hang on to the lead and closed the game out 52-37. Rock Springs will take on Riverton back-to-back next week starting with a home game on Tuesday in Tiger Arena.