Grizzlies battle at BHB Classic despite low numbers

A shorthanded Rocky Mountain boys basketball squad pulled off one win in three tries at the Big Horn Basin Classic in Worland over the weekend.

The Arctic air mass that struck the area last week prevented some teams from coming, including Rocky’s first scheduled opponent, St. Stephens.

The Eagles’ departure left Rocky – down five players -- facing host Worland Friday night, and after a neck-and-neck first half, Worland pulled away for a 59-34 win.

Saturday, the Grizz fell to a tall and talented Wyoming Indian squad, 65-42, then rebounded to knock off Riverside 49-45.

“We knew going into the tournament that we’d be outsized and outmatched in some areas,” coach Pat Winland said. “The frustrating part is that we prepared for St. Stephens all week, and we were looking forward to playing that game.

“I felt like against Powell (the previous week) we didn’t make them earn it. We wanted the teams at the tournament, if they beat us, to earn it. I felt like we did that. Our guards got another opportunity to play against some tough, man-to-man pressure, and our younger kids got to see what it takes to play in a varsity game and the intensity they need to have.”

The Grizz battled Worland tooth and nail in the first half, draining five three-pointers in a half that saw them lead by as many as five points before trailing by two at halftime. A trey by Bryce Haslem and two by Cole Minchow boosted the Grizzlies to an early 13-8 lead, though Worland came back to lead 15-13 at the quarter break.

A pair of three-pointers by Lafe Files propelled Rocky to a 21-19 lead midway through the second quarter before the Grizz cooled down and trailed 23-21 at intermission.

“Cole and Bryce and Lafe really had it going in the first half,” Winland said. “They’ve been struggling with their shooting, so that was good to see. I tell them, in our offense, if you’re open, shoot.”

Worland came out hot in the third quarter and scored the first seven points of the quarter to lead 30-21 before the Grizzlies score. Worland went on to win the quarter 24-5 and lead 47-26 after three. The two teams traded buckets in the fourth, with Worland having a 12-8 edge.

“Our shots weren’t falling in the third, and they (Worland) amped up their intensity. I’m sure they got spoken to at halftime,” Winland said, adding that his message to the team following the game was, “Way to compete. I’m proud of ya. Let’s go get one tomorrow.”

Minchow finished with 12 points to lead the Grizz, and Files added 10, Haslem 7, Noah Johnson and Hayden Wambeke 2 each, Joaquin Scheeler 1. Files grabbed six rebounds to lead the team, and Haslem had five assists.

Wyoming Indian

The tall and fast Wyoming Indian Chiefs ran away with the first Rocky game on Saturday, building a 38-16 halftime lead and going on to win 65-42. WIHS outscored Rocky 21-11 in the first quarter and 17-5 in the second.

“Their length and rebounding really caused us problems,” Winland said. “We didn’t box out well at all, leading to second chance points. They shot well from the three-point line, too, which they hadn’t done in their previous games in the tournament.

“We struggled to score in the second quarter. We made a couple of runs in the third quarter, but it was too much to overcome.”

Rocky edged the Chiefs 18-15 in the third quarter as Haslem (two), Minchow and Johnson knocked down three-pointers, and WIHS had the edge in the fourth, 12-8.

Minchow finished with 15 points, Files 10, Haslem 8, Johnson 5, and Scheeler and Wambeke 2 apiece. Files finished with six rebounds, Wambeke and Minchow five each. Minchow added four steals and three assists, Haslem three steals and three assists.

Riverside

The Grizzlies finished the tournament on a high note, stopping the Riverside Rebels 49-45. Hot shooting by Haslem and Minchow – one three-pointer by Haslem, one by Minchow – helped Rocky Mountain to a 15-11 lead after the first quarter. Minchow then poured in 10 points in the second quarter, Haslem 5, as Rocky outscored the Rebels 20-8 to surge ahead to a 35-19 halftime lead.

Single-digit quarters in the second half for the Grizzlies allowed Riverside to cut into the lead, but the Grizz prevailed in the end.

“We knew this was a game we would be, if not favored, in the mix to win. The kids knew it and needed a victory,” Winland said. “We did enough in the first half to hold off their runs in the second half.

“Both Cole and Bryce led us with their shooting and getting us into our offense. Kellen (Jackson) and Joaquin gave us some solid minutes off the bench. Hayden was thrown into the fire and did the best job he could. It was a good learning experience (for the young players) the whole weekend long.”

Minchow fired in 22 points for the Grizzlies, and Haslem added 11, Files 10 and Jackson 6. Scheeler snared six rebounds, Files five.

Conference games

The Grizzlies will open conference play this weekend, traveling to Greybull Friday for a pair at 4 (JV) and 7 p.m., then hosting Shoshoni Saturday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

“These next two games are crucial, and they’re winnable games for us,” Winland said. “I’m sure they feel the same way.

“Greybull will zone us, as usual, so we’ll work against that all week. Shoshoni has a brand new head coach running a new system, which we will also prepare for.”