ROCK SPRINGS – After being blown out in the first meeting, the Green River Wolves made the necessary adjustments in game two. In the end it was the top team in the state, Rock Springs, taking another big win, 61-56.
Kelby Kramer had a big night in his final regular season home game at Tiger Arena. He finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks to lead the Tigers in the win. Conference leading scorer Trevor Hautala was kept in check on Thursday but still managed to hit double digits in points with 11.
On the Wolves side, Devin Love scored 15 points and grabbed seven boards while both Gavin Heiser and Chance Hofer added 11. Senior Hunter Spartz fouled out with 10 points and seven rebounds.
After a pretty even first half, the game would get interesting in the second. With three minutes to go in the third quarter, Jesus Beltran scored five straight to put the Tigers up double-digits, 38-27. Kramer had two dunks in the final minutes of the third but Spartz, Cameron Morris and Heiser had the Wolves within eight at the end of the third, 42-34.
Heiser opened the final quarter with a three but Derek Lionberger was able to keep the Tigers out front. Another Heiser three cut the lead to four, 44-40. Freshman Kael Mikkelsen answered with a three of his own and a Kramer putback had Rock Springs up double digits, 54-43.
Behind their senior Spartz, the Wolves chipped away at the lead. Before Spartz fouled out, his bucket pulled the Wolves back to within four with around two minutes remaining. After a Green River bucket, Hautala and Mikkelsen added free throws. Chance Hofer continued to attack and with 51 seconds left, pulled the Wolves within two, 58-56. On the ensuing play, Brady Arnoldi missed a shot but Nick McMurtrey was on the offensive glass forcing the Wolves to foul. He would hit two free throws to put Rock Springs up 60-56. The Wolves would miss the next shot and Hautala added a free throw late to give the Tigers the win.
Rock Springs will travel to Jackson Tuesday for a make-up game before heading to Casper and an important matchup with Kelly Walsh. The Wolves will also be in Casper this weekend for games against the Mustangs and Trojans.
Rock Springs High School
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