Green River battles through Regionals, falls short in final game

The Green River Wolves entered the 4A Regional Basketball Tournament as the underdogs, but they didn't go down without a fight. Over three days of intense basketball in Rock Springs, the Wolves faced top-ranked competition, secured a key victory over Riverton, and left it all on the court in their final showdown against Evanston.

As the No. 4 seed in the Northwest, Green River faced a daunting opening matchup against top-seeded Star Valley on Thursday night. The Wolves put up a fight but struggled to keep pace with the Braves' efficiency, ultimately falling 58-36. Jake Demaret led Green River in scoring with 11 points, while AJ Keelin battled on the boards, pulling in three offensive rebounds and four defensive rebounds. Dylan Archibald matched Keelin's effort on the defensive glass, and Senior Hunter Lake showcased his leadership with five assists. Despite the loss, the Wolves weren't done yet. Friday's game would determine whether they could stay in the hunt for a State Tournament spot-and they rose to the challenge.

Green River took the court on Friday knowing it was win or go home, and they responded with one of their strongest performances of the season, defeating Riverton 62-48. It was a total team effort, with multiple players stepping up to deliver in the clutch. Senior Hunter Lake recorded a double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds to anchor the team on both ends of the floor. Dax Taylor led all scorers with 17 points, while Dawson Peterson had a breakout performance, dropping 16 points in a key offensive contribution. Lake and Taylor also each dished out four assists, keeping the Wolves' offense flowing. On the defensive end, Lake was a force, pulling in nine rebounds to help Green River control possession.

"It was a great team effort," said Head Coach Laurie Ivie. "We knew we had to step up and play together, and our guys did just that. Everyone contributed, and we earned that win."

With the victory, the Wolves moved on to Saturday's loser-out game against Evanston, where they needed one more win to punch their ticket to the State Tournament. Green River gave everything they had in their final game, but couldn't overcome a strong defensive effort from Evanston, falling 45-32. The Wolves struggled to find consistent offense, with Dylan Archibald leading the team in scoring with nine points. Dax Taylor grabbed four defensive rebounds, fighting to keep Green River in the game, but Evanston's defense made it difficult to close the gap. Just like that, the Wolves' season came to an end. But while their State Tournament hopes were cut short, their fight and resilience never wavered.

For Seniors Hunter Lake, AJ Keelin, and Dawson Peterson, this tournament marked the end of their high school careers-careers defined by dedication, leadership, and heart.

"Our seniors-Hunter, AJ, and Dawson-dedicated a tremendous amount of time, effort, and energy, and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our program," said Ivie.

Though the season didn't end with a trip to Casper, the Wolves walked away with their heads held high. They fought through adversity, secured a big win when it mattered most, and showed the kind of grit that defines a program on the rise. With a strong core of underclassmen gaining valuable experience this season, Green River's future looks bright. The lessons learned in this Regional Tournament will only fuel the Wolves as they prepare for what's next.

For now, the Wolves will reflect on a season full of growth, passion, and fight. The scoreboard may not have gone their way in the end, but the heart of this team was never in question.