Freshman cagers sweep two to start new year

The post-Christmas portion of the 2024-25 sports season kicked off Tuesday night in Cowley and Lovell as the Rocky Mountain and Lovell freshman boys basketball teams hosted rivals from South Big Horn County.

Both local teams came away with wins.

The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies pounded Riverside 57-23 as Grizzly post players dominated inside. Evin Clendenen fired in 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the field, and Cooper Winland added 15 points, connecting on six of eight shots from the field.

Cooper Ward joined the big men in double figures with 12, connecting on five of seven shots from the field, and Kreegan Jones added 6 points, Leland Hetland 4 and Jaxon Hayes 3.

Winland added nine rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots, and Clendenen pulled down seven rebounds. Hayes finished with four rebounds and five assists.

The Grizz shot 51 percent from the field.

Rocky dominated from the start, outscoring the Rebels 17-5 in the first quarter and 11-2 in the second to lead 28-7 at halftime. The Grizz also won the second half, 29-16.

Next up, the Grizz will play a pair of home games next week, hosting Greybull Monday at 6:15 p.m. and Burlington Tuesday at the same time. The Lady Grizz travel south Monday and Tuesday to play Greybull and Burlington at the same times.

Lovell win

Meanwhile in Lovell Tuesday, the Bulldog freshmen edged Greybull in a defensive battle, 24-18.

Points were hard to come by in this one as the two teams were tied 4-4 after the first period before Lovell outscored Greybull 5-2 in the second to lead 9-6 at halftime. The Bulldogs had their best offensive quarter in the third, outscoring Greybull 13-8 to lead 22-14 heading into the final quarter. Greybull edged Lovell 4-2 in the fourth to trim the final margin to six points.

The Bulldogs (1-1) were led by Kyson Crosby with 9 points, and Dallin Bischoff added 5 points, Anthony Garcia and Tyler Knowles 4 each and Grant Hill 2.

The Lovell boys and girls freshman squads will host Columbus, Montana, tonight (Thursday) at 5 and 6:30 p.m., then travel to compete in the Buffalo Freshman Tournament Saturday. The frosh will complete a busy stretch by hosting Powell Monday at 5 and 6:30 p.m.