(Ethete, WY) – Senior Night in Ethete turned into a celebration on both sides Friday as the Wyoming Indian Chiefs hosted Wind River. Wyoming Indian recognized seniors from both teams in front of a packed Ethete crowd.
The evening started with senior night festivities, and then a quick punch from the visitors. Wind River opened the game on an 8-0 run, briefly quieting the home gym and forcing the Chiefs to buckle down and play ball. Their lead didn’t last long.
Owen St. Clair Jr. leads the Cheifs in their pregame ritual Thursday in Ethete. h/t Carl Cote Senior LaDanian Brown is cheered on by teammates during his final home introduction in Ethete. h/t Carl Cote Josh Gallagher hesitates as Cordell Spoonhunter skies high for a block. h/t Carl Cote Ford David gets up a contested shot for the Cougars. h/t Carl Cote Senior Cordell Spoonhunter gets a good look in the paint for the Chiefs. h/t Carl Cote Tanner Walker gains momentum off a screen for the Cougars. h/t Carl Cote Mitchell C’Hair scores off of an offensive rebound for the Chiefs. h/t Carl Cote 
Mitchel C’Hair gets off a three-pointer as the Chiefs build a commanding lead in the first quarter. h/t Carl Cote Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black’s jumper works for him in the first quarter against Wind River. h/t Carl Cote
Wyoming Indian’s senior leaders responded with authority. Cordell Spoonhunter ignited the Chiefs with a thunderous dunk that brought Alfred Redman Sr. Gymnasium to its feet, and Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black followed with one of his own moments later. The early slams shifted momentum instantly and sparked a dominant stretch that steered the game back in the Chiefs’ direction.
By the end of the first quarter, the Chiefs had erased the early deficit and built a commanding 32-12 lead, overwhelming Wind River with relentless pressure and offense from turnovers.
Spoonhunter finished his Senior Night performance with 34 points, while Monroe-Black added 26 with his efficient shooting from mid-range in a showcase effort from the Chiefs’ veterans. Wyoming Indian seniors recognized Thursday were Cordell Spoonhunter, Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black, Adriano Brown, LaDanian Brown, Parlayne Ferris, Julius Robinson, Mathew Austin, Mitchell C’Hair, Caleb Addison, Ron McElroy, Aven Posey, and Khilen St.Clair.
Wind River seniors Tunk Goebel, Jeffrey Strock, Kai Alatini, Ford David, and Kolton Martinez were also recognized before tip-off, being offered the spotlight in a sportsmanlike gesture by the Ethete home crowd. On the court, Zane David led the Cougars with 13 points, and Ford David added 12. But turnovers proved costly for the Pavillion boys, preventing them from mounting any sustained response as Wyoming Indian pulled away.
What began as a tense opening few minutes quickly transformed into a Senior Night statement for the Chiefs, who rolled to a 92-44 victory and sent their seniors off their home floor with one last victory in front of their fans. Check out photos from senior night below:
h/t Carl Cote
Chiefs top scorers: C. Spoonhunter 34, H. Monroe-Black 26, J. Black 9
Cougars top scorers: Z. David 13, F. David 12, T. Walker 9