In a nip and tuck game that featured a half-dozen lead changes and both teams shot well below their season averages from beyond the arc, the Laramie Plainsment found their handful of long range baskets late in the fourth quarter as they held off Star Valley 55-49 in the 4A semifinals. 

After jumping out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, the Braves trailed for much of the second half after Laramie pounded it down low to 6’ 8” Neil Summers who finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Simon Gaskell battled and often came out on top but he and Smith McClure were whistled for nine fouls between them as they attempted to slow down the Gem City big man. 

The Braves found some momentum at the end of the second quarter and into the third with some quick hands and deflections as the two teams traded the lead several times. Down the stretch, Max Alexander, who started the game 0-4 from three-point land, made three of his final four long-range attempts and helped give the Plainsmen a late cushion that Star Valley could not overcome. 

The Plainsmen also got to the free throw line 20 times, hitting ten of them compared to Star Valley’s 6 of 9. Cooper Lancaster led the Braves with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Max Jensen scored 10. PJ Horsley chipped in 7. 

Alexander, along with Jaden Smith, each scored 11 for Laramie who will play for the 4A title on Saturday evening. 

Meanwhile, the Braves will play either Cheyenne Central or Natrona County for third place at 1 p.m. in a game which will be played at Kelly Walsh High School due to a conflict with Casper College and the NJCAA post-season. While the Braves will not take home a state championship trophy, they still have the opportunity to bring home the program’s first hardware from the 4A Class. The last two times Star Valley has played for third place in 4A, 2019 and 2021, they came up short. 

Cheyenne East will face Jackson in the consolation bracket final at 12 noon at the Ford Wyoming Center.