So far in 2020, the Star Valley Braves basketball team is (7-1) which includes a pair of blowout wins on the road in Riverton and Cody on February 6-7. Perhaps it’s the one loss that tells us all we need to know about the current mind set of the team.
After losing a disappointing buzzer-beater in Evanston, the Braves have rattled off a trio of road wins by a combined score of 197-108, holding their opponents to just 36 points per game and draining 30 three-point baskets.
Prior to the win, the Braves defeated Blackfoot and Sugar-Salem out of Idaho and then knocked off rival Jackson but since the loss, the team appears to be making a point while simultaneously not forgetting that one-point loss to the Devils.
@ Riverton
The game was a blowout right away after a 20-5 start as Star Valley invoked the “mercy rule” in the fourth quarter of a 79-37 win on the Wolverine court. The running clock is ultimately the only thing that kept the Braves under 80 points. Taylor Horsley led four players in double-figures with 26 points. Hazen Erickson finished with 13, James Erickson scored 11 and Chase Merrell finished with ten.
@ Cody
Aware of freshman phenom Luke Talich, the Braves defense shut down the Broncs offense right from the beginning in a 15-3 start. By halftime, Merrell was outscoring Cody by himself with 14 points in a 25-10 score. The second half was more of the same as Star Valley finished with 60 points while allowing just 36 to Cody. Merrell finished with 18 points while Horsley compiled seven assists. Dean Shaw had to avoid Park County law enforcement after the game after pilfering the Broncs for seven steals. Mason Erickson and R.J. Cazier each scored nine points.
The weekend moves the Braves up to (8-7) overall as they return home after four straight road games. The Kelly Walsh Trojans (8-5) and the Rock Springs Tigers (5-10) will be making the trip to Afton on Friday and Saturday respectively. The Tigers lost a 55-52 decision to Green River on Thursday and will host Evanston on Saturday. The Trojans’ game with the Devils is postponed until February 10 due to weather and travel concerns and they will host the Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
The varsity boys game at SVHS versus Kelly Walsh will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday February 14. Star Valley’s game with the Tigers is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Both varsity games will be broadcast by SVI Media via their streaming platform as well as traditional and online radio.
