For 34 minutes, it seemed like this was going to be the night the Green River High School boy’s basketball team was going to get their first win of the season.
Led by strong free throw shooting, intense defense, and timely baskets, Green River built a 51-43 lead with six minutes left in the game.
That’s when things changed.
After hitting 19 of their first 22 free throws, the Wolves missed five straight in the closing minutes. Rock Springs would end the game on a 13-2 run for a 56-53 home victory.
Green River had several chances to tie the game in the last minute, but several calls did not go their way in a game that had been called tightly by the officials up to that point.
Wolves coach Dan LaRose was pleased with the way his team fought throughout the game.
“I thought we battled well. We made our runs and countered their runs. We did a great job within our defensive game plan,” he said.
The second-year coach said they were 14 for 15 from the free throw line in the first half and did a great job getting and converting in the line. He said the problem was they were five for 12 in the second half.
“That’s some lost opportunities,” LaRose said.
It was a slow start to the game for both teams. Rock Springs would gain momentum early and took a 10-4 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers took a 21-12 lead midway through the second quarter before Green River heated up thanks to strong play from Tanner Trumble and Kyle Goglio. A 15-6 Green River run sent the game into half tied at 27.
The third-quarter was a back and forth affair, with Green River taking a 40-36 lead near the end of the quarter after a three pointer by Goglio. They took a 44-42 lead going into the fourth.
LaRose said the team has had some frustrating times this year, but for them to come together before, during, and after the game was good to see.
“Those are all steps in the right direction,” he said.
Green River (0-18, 0-8 4A West) will next take to the court Friday night at home against Casper Natrona (9-9, 5-3 4A West).
LaRose said this week the team is going to talk about caring over the intensity of play from the Rock Springs game to Natrona.
“If we can play with that intensity level against opponent “A”, why can’t we do that against opponent “B,” he said. Let’s we if we can stretch ourselves more that way as a team.”
Reader Comments(0)