Boys basketball breaks even

Competing for the first time in nearly a month, the Green River High School boys basketball team ended a trip to the eastern side of Wyoming with a 60-49 loss at the hands of Cheyenne South and a win over the Laramie Plainsmen 69-49.

Head coach Laurie Ivie said the loss against Cheyenne South resulted from playing impatient offense. She said the boys were unable to score the points they needed and gave their opponents too many second-chance shots. Ivie said the boys hadn’t competed in four weeks by the time they took on Cheyenne South.

“It’s never easy to go that long without competition,” Ivie said.

The boys’ fortunes changed during a match against the Laramie Plainsmen the following day. Learning their lesson from Cheyenne, Ivie said the boys played with more composure and confidence, handing the pressure Laramie brought to the court with ease and moving the ball well on offense. The win also highlights the work the team has done on the practice court during the winter break. Ivie said she has worked with the team to firm up their offense and defensive schemes she implemented early in the season.

“We look to improve every single day,” she said.

The team will take on Evanston and Jackson later this week. They will complete against Evanston at home Thursday, starting at 7:30 p.m., while they will take on Jackson Friday at 7:30 p.m. Ivie said Evanston is a great shooting team and has a point guard who shoots 54 percent from the three-point line. She said they are fourth in the state for team defense, having kept two of their opponents from shooting more than 30 points.

“We need to focus on moving the ball on offense and hitting the glass on both ends of the court,” she said.

The boys and girls games against Evanston Thursday will also take place during a special veterans recognition night at GRHS. Ivie said special activities are planned for the periods before, during and after the games. Veterans will be honored during the evening and will receive free admission, as well as drinks and popcorn.

Following the competition this week, the team will face their rivals from Rock Springs at home Jan. 26.