Star Valley fans experienced highs and lows on the first day of the Wyoming 4A State Basketball tournament.

The Braves ran into an athletic and motivated squad from Cheyenne East who turned an 11-point lead into a 43-point rout in the second half as they sent Star Valley to the Consolation Bracket with a 70-36 score.

R.J. Cazier and Mason Erickson led the team in scoring with eight points each. The Thunderbirds put three players into double figures, led by Erick Oliver’s 18. Onyx Jackson finished with 15 and Graedeyn Buell chipped in 11.

The Braves will now face off against Cheyenne Central in an elimination game at the Casper Events Center at 12 noon. Audio of the game will be carried by SVI.

The Lady Braves used their stifling defensive style to shut down Cheyenne Central in the 6 p.m. game at Casper College with a 48-34 victory. The win advances the Star Valley girls team to the 4A semifinals for the first time in program history and extended their winning streak to 18 games.

Olivia Muir led the way with 14 points and Caitland Erickson finished with ten. Abby Coles and Otessa Olsen each scored nine points.

The next game up on the schedule is the last team to defeat the Lady Braves two months ago as the Thunder Basin Bolts and Star Valley will clash for a trip to the 4A state finals. This game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and audio of the game will be carried by SVI.