Area sports back after winter break

Lovell-Rocky rivalry highlights weekend

After a pair of freshman games were played Tuesday night, the 2025 varsity schedule kicks off Thursday and Friday with basketball games in Powell and Lovell, while wrestlers compete in Douglas and Pavillion.

The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies will open the new year in Powell Thursday night with junior varsity games at 4 p.m., the girls varsity game at 5:30 and the boys varsity at 7 p.m.

The Lady Grizzlies played to a 6-2 record before the holidays and are ranked third in Class 2A. Powell is 3-3 on the season.

Coach Justin Moss said the Christmas break was productive for his team.

It’s been a stretch where we have been able to practice for a prolonged period of time and implement some more of our offensive and defensive principles,” Moss said. “Over the break we were fortunate to have a group of past Lady Grizz that were willing to come in to work with our girls team. It pays dividends as we get to compete against strong, physical girls that love our program.

“It’s evident that our current Lady Grizz are hungry and are looking forward to the upcoming competition. We will be tested with this upcoming stretch as we play three 3A teams in our next four games.”

The Rocky boys team (4-4) will face a tough test in the form of the Powell Panthers. The 5-1 Panthers are ranked second in Class 3A.

“We worked on getting back in shape and adding a few wrinkles here and there,” Rocky head coach Pat Winland said of the Grizzlies’ work during the break. “Despite taking the whole week of Christmas off, it was difficult to put too much in mainly because of injuries and other circumstances. We are getting healthier and hope to have a couple of more kids back soon.”

Lovell-Rocky

After traveling to Powell Thursday, the Grizzlies and Lady Grizz jump from the frying pan into the fire when they make the short trip to Lovell to meet the Bulldogs Friday at the same tip-off times (4, 5:30 and 7 p.m.) at Johnny Winterholler Gym.

The Lovell girls are 3-3, and coach Brian May said practice during the break was a challenge, though progress was made.

“We reviewed aspects of our offense and defense. We also tried to add new things, but what made it difficult was kids being gone for periods of time,” May said. “It takes time to keep going back to help kids get caught up. It’s always a worry making sure everyone is conditioned and getting through some sickness.

“Rocky is a good team and will be a great challenge for us. They play well as a group and understand what their coaches want from them. Our kids are up for that challenge.”

The final game Friday is the rivalry between the Grizzlies and Bulldogs, a tough task for Grizz against the top-ranked and undefeated Bulldogs. Lovell coach Shane Durtsche said the Bulldogs (6-0) continued to make progress during the holidays.

“We had good practices over the break,” he said. “We were able to get a few things tweaked and installed as we prepare for the next part of our season and tune up for conference games.”

The Bulldogs will start 3A West conference play Tuesday when they host Cody at 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m. The Cody Fillies are 6-3 and currently ranked second in Class 3A, while the Broncs are 4-2 and ranked second behind Lovell.

Lovell and Rocky Mountain teams will compete at the Big Horn Basin Classic January 17-18 with girls games in Worland and Thermopolis (Lovell and Rocky in Worland) and boys games in Cowley and Powell (Lovell and Rocky in Cowley).

Wrestling

The Lovell Bulldog wrestling team will travel to Douglas for the Shane Shatto Memorial Tournament. Coach Ty Hecker said wrestling begins at 11 a.m. Friday and continues Saturday at 8 a.m. He said the break was good for the Lovell grapplers.

“Christmas break was a much-needed time to heal up from injuries that have plagued us in the start of the season,” Hecker said. “We worked during the break to stay active and keep our minds in the right place. Coming this week is one of the toughest tournaments of the year, the Shane Shatto Memorial Friday and Saturday.”

The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies, meanwhile, will travel to Pavillion Saturday for the Wind River Duals. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

“Winter break was time well spent for the Grizz to step back and focus on the offense and defense side of things,” coach Eddie Whiting said. “We have a few injuries, and sickness hit us harder than I would have liked, but it’s all good now. The only injury we have is our heavyweight, Curtis Wachob.”