Appearing to peak at the right time, the Kemmerer High School boys basketball team played its way into the 2A State Basketball Tournament over the weekend, posting a 2-2 record at the 2A West Regional Tournament in Riverton.
The Rangers opened play Thursday with a hard-fought 60-52 loss to Greybull, but quickly brushed it aside, posting back-to-back wins Friday against Wind River 60-51, and Saturday against St. Stephens, 63-37. Saturday’s win against the Eagles guaranteed Kemmerer a state tournament berth, and propelled the Rangers into Saturday afternoon’s 3rd-place game against Big Piney. Kemmerer battled, but the Punchers once again had the Rangers’ number, claiming the No. 3-seed with a 50-44 win.
“I thought the boys played well all tournament,” said KHS head coach Matt Stewart. “We battled from in a couple of the games as we have in several games this season. We had a few kids step up and give us good minutes. We played one of our best, most complete games of the season against St Stephens to get us to state, and battled against a good Big Piney team that has been a thorn in our side all year.”
The St. Stephens’ game was also significant on a personal level for senior Chase Bowen, who recorded his 1,000 career point in the contest.
“Chase had a great weekend all the way around,” Stewart said. “It was great for him to reach that milestone in such an important game for the team. Chase has been our guy all year, both offensively and defensively. He is such a hard-working kid, and one of those players you hate to take out of the game. He is the leader of this team, and has the respect of his coaches and teammates. We are all so happy for him.”
The Rangers will have a couple of days to prepare, than hit the road for Casper later this week; they open the 2A State Basketball Tournament Thursday against Wright – the No. 1-seed out of the East – at Casper College. Wright is the team that knocked the Rangers out of the state tournament last season, and Stewart said they wouldn’t mind ruining their title chances.
“We are somewhat familiar with them, as they were the team that knocked us out of the state tournament a year ago,” he explained. “They are a really good team that has some size. They like to get out and get buckets in transition. They move the ball really well. For us, it is going to be key to take care of the ball, limit turnovers and keep them off the boards. We have to be patient on offense, and work the ball around until we get the look we want. We are looking forward to playing a team we haven’t seen this year, and excited to be making the trip to Casper this week.”
Greybull 60, Rangers 52
The Rangers opened the 2A West Regional Tournament against Greybull, and held a 27-24 lead at half.
The Buffalos brought the game back to even at 41-41 by the end of the third quarter, however, and were able to pull away late for the 60-52 win.
Chase Bowen led the Rangers with a double-double, netting 19 points, and pulling down 12 rebounds. Ethyn Perkins followed with 17 points – to go along with four steals and two assists – while Skyler Rogers added seven points. Bryson McGill chipped in five points, while Kaden Witbeck and Gabe Wiswell rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.
“After losing to Greybull in the first round, I was worried how the kids would respond,” Stewart said. “We talked about it in the locker room after the game, and I reminded them that we still had a great chance to make it to state.”
Rangers 60, Wind River 51
Thursday’s loss to Greybull seemingly forgotten, the Rangers took the floor Friday against Wind River as a team on a mission.
Kemmerer struggled out of the gate, spotting the Cougars a 29-21 halftime lead. The Rangers owned the second half, however, and with a 24-11 fourth quarter, pulled away for the 60-51 win.
Chase Bowen once again led the team with a double-double, with 26 points and 11 rebounds; he also led the team in steals, with three. Gabe Wiswell finished with 12 points and six boards, followed by Bryson McGill, with nine points ands seven rebounds. Kaden Witbeck chipped in six points and dished off four assists, while Ethyn Perkins finished with four p[oints and four assists. Skyler Rogers and Kane Jimenez finished with two points and one point, respectively.
“In the Wind River game, we got behind a little bit, but the kids knew what was on the line and battled back,” Stewart said. “Chase Bowen had a great game, and Bryson McGill came in and gave us a huge spark off the bench.”
Rangers 63, St. Stephens 37
Saturday morning’s contest against St. Stephens was a win-and-you’re-in scenario, and the Rangers proved more than up to the task, taking a 38-28 lead at the break, and keeping the Eagles in the rear view, en route to a 63-37 win.
Chase Bowen was able to hit his 1,000 career-point milestone with his third double-double in as many games, racking up 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Gabe Wiswell followed with 13 points, while Kaden Witbeck and Ethyn Perkins added eight points apiece; Witbeck also dished off a team-high six assists. Bryson McGill and Skyler Rogers chipped in three points each, while Cage Bowen rounded out the scoring with two points.
“Going into St Stephens, that was the most focused I have seen the boys in a while, and they came out and played hard from start to finish,” Stewart said. “It was nice to get a big lead and keep it. We were able to get some of our younger kids in the game for the last couple minutes, and they did exactly what we asked of them: Take care of the ball, and play solid defensively. What a great team win for us.”
Big Piney 50, Rangers 44
The Rangers closed out the 2A West Regional Tournament against Big Piney, with a chance to clinch the No. 3-seed out of the West. The Punchers have had Kemmerer’s number all season, however, and that didn’t change Saturday afternoon in a 50-44 Rangers loss.
Gabe Wiswell led the Rangers with 11 points, while Chase Bowen saw his streak of double-doubles come to an end, as he finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Ethyn Perkins and Skyler Rogers followed with seven points apiece, while Kaden Witbeck and Bryson McGill closed out the scoring with six points and three points, respectively.
