The opening day of the Wyoming 4A State Basketball Tournament saw both Star Valley teams facing Cheyenne East in the quarterfinals. After both matchups, the Braves came away with a 45-43 win and the Lady Braves fell in a 50-28 final.
- Braves Advance to the Semifinals
It was a game with a half-dozen lead changes and a double-digit lead for Star valley that came down to a final missed jumper from Cheyenne East.
The Braves jumped out to a red-hot start and a ten-point lead in the first quarter before the Thunderbirds equalized things and took a three-point lead into the locker room, 30-27.
The second half went back and forth with some big shots, blocks and pivotal plays as both teams had the lead multiple times but it never got bigger than four points.
In the end, the Braves got a game-winning basket from Simon Gaskell on an assist from Kash Lancaster as Cheyenne’s Drew Jackson’s final shot was off the mark.
Cooper Lancaster had the game-high of 17 points while Gaskell compiled a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds. Kash Lancaster finished with eight points. Jackson led the T-Birds with 14 points.
The win advanced the Braves into the 4A semifinals for the third time since 2019. The Braves also advanced in 2019 and 2021 but were defeated by Thunder Basin on both occasions.
Star Valley will face Laramie this time at 7:30 p.m on Friday evening at the Ford Wyoming Center.
- Lady Braves battle to the end
Near the end of the third quarter, the score was 27-20 in favor of Cheyenne East who then wrapped up Thursday’s quarterfinals with some transition buckets and three-point baskets for a final score that certainly seemed worse than the effort on the floor. The Lady Braves played an admirable game’s worth of defense as they made the T-Birds work for every point. The shots simply were not falling against the East defense as Star Valley was sent to the Consolation bracket where they will face the Kelly Walsh Trojans at 10:30 a.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center.
Emily Dana scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds. Sheridan Coles scored eight points and Kenlee Engelhardt finished with five points, three steals, three assists and three blocked shots.
Bradie Schlabs led Cheyenne East with 13 points. Cashlyn Haws finished with 11.
