Local high school teams gear up for new season

Boys and girls basketball and wrestling teams at Lovell and Rocky Mountain high schools started practice last week and are ramping up for the 2025-26 season. Teams had the Thanksgiving holiday off and have no scheduled games this weekend, but the season gets rolling in a hurry the following weekend when teams hit the road for tournaments.

The Lovell girls and boys basketball teams will open the season in Casper next Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 11-13.

The defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs return three starters and several reserves from the 26-2 team that beat Cody for the state championship. Returning starters are all-state players Matthew Newman and Owen Walker and all-conference selection Kaeson Anderson.

“We have 29 kids out for basketball as of now: seven seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and 10 freshmen,” head coach Shane Durtsche said. “The expectation is to work hard and know that we will have a target on our backs after the season we had last year.

“It’s a new year, and we have some holes to fill, but the kids have been practicing hard and competing in practice. We’ll need some of the returners to step up and take over some of the leadership roles that we lost last year. Leadership and toughness will be keys if we want to find success this year.”

LHS head girls coach Brian May reported that he has 16 girls out for the team this year: one senior, five juniors, three sophomores and seven freshmen.

Returning starters are senior Becca Nichols and junior Brooklin Clark. Also seeing varsity action a year ago were current juniors Kandace Asay, Hannity Felkins and Jenna Hessenthaler, along with sophomores Ali and Avery Walker.

Lovell head wrestling coach Ty Hecker is working with 26 athletes as the season begins including four girls.

“We’ve been working extremely hard, and our room is filled with tough, dedicated athletes,” Hecker said. “We may be a young team, but with leaders like Mason Christenson, Zayden Stahl, Owen Hill, Travis Asay and Tyler Wilkerson, we know we can be competitive when it counts. This season will be challenging, but our leadership and work ethic give us confidence.

“Mason Christenson is stepping up as a true captain and a legitimate state placer contender, setting the standard for his entire class. Hudsen Mickelson is showing real drive and determination to improve. Our female wrestlers continue to put in tremendous effort, as well, with returning sophomores Kaylynn Mickelson and Harley Tillett leading the way. Freshman Vada Schmidt is already showing toughness and readiness to contribute at a high level.

Overall, this team is full of real wrestlers who lead by example, and we’re excited for what this young group can accomplish.”

The Bulldogs will open the season Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at the Powell Invitational, with wrestling beginning at noon on December 12 and continuing December 13 at 9 a.m.

The Lady Bulldogs will wrestle in Cody December 12-13.

(See the separate story for Rocky Mountain High School wrestling.)

Rocky Mountain basketball

The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies, 13-15 last season, have no returning starters for head coach Pat Winland, having graduated six players and all five starters from last season’s squad.

“We are bringing a young but competitive roster into the season with three juniors, seven sophomores and five freshmen,” Winland said. “With no returning starters, new leaders will emerge as Cooper (Winland) and Mason (Moss) provide valuable varsity experience with Kellan (Jackson) also being on varsity last year.

“We are installing offensive systems and sharpening defensive fundamentals. We’re learning, growing and competing together. No one cares who gets the credit — they just care that we get better and win together.”

Jeff Samson and Taylor Winland return as assistants.

The Lady Grizzlies have 13 players out for the team led by returning senior starters Lauren Bassett and Keylee Christiansen.

“We have two returning starters and four players returning with significant varsity experience from the Lady Grizz 19-8 squad,” head coach Justin Moss said. “Lauren and Keylee have been pillars in our program, and we will continue to lean on them as leaders of the team. Kaysie Cooley and Halle Grandalen (juniors) return as solid rotation players from last year’s team.

“We are a hardworking, gritty bunch. It has been a great start to the season with this competitive group. We’ve had a solid off-season, and we are eager to see what this group can do.”

The Grizzlies and Lady Grizz will open the season Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at the Herder/Coal Miners Classic, hosted by Wright and Glenrock High School. Rocky will play in Wright Friday and Glenrock Saturday.