(Pavillion, WY) – The Cougars dropped four games on their home floor in the Foothills Classics, an early season tournament that sets teams from the Southwest 2-A against four teams from the East Conference. With only six Class 2-A teams in the east, the old Northeast and Southeast Conference no longer exists.
The Cougars fell to Tongue River 49-38, Moorcroft 54-34, Wright 69-23 and Big Horn 76-44 to drop to 0-7 on the season.
Against Wright, the Panthers opened up a huge early lead 32-2 and held a 52-5 advantage at the half.
When the ball went into play in the third period the running clock was in place via the Mercy Rule.
Wright suffered their first loss of the season with surprising Big Piney pounding the Panthers 80-55.
Big Piney’s physical play in the low block and tight defense on leading scorer Jaxson Neely was the key in the contest.
The Cougars are young, small and inexperienced this season and the West 2-A looks very tough.
Thermopolis is likely to take the top ranking in Class 2-A after wins over 3-A Lander last week and Class 4-A Riverton this past weekend.
WIND RIVER 2 3 9 9 – 23
WRIGHT 32 20 8 9 – 69
Wind River – Tanner Walker 1 0-0 2, Zane David 1 0-0 2, Ford Davis 1 2-4 4, Darion Perry 2 (1) 1-3 8, Troy Tidzump 2 (1) 0-0 7. Totals 7 (2) 3-7 23
Wright – Totals 30 (2) 3-9 69
WNID RIVER 4 10 6 14 – 34
MOORCROFT 18 11 15 10 – 54
Wind River – Walker 1 0-0 2, Jeffrey Strock 3 (1) 0-0 9, Z. David 2 0-0 4, Daivd 2 0-0 4, Perry 1 (1) 2-2 7, Tidzump 2 3-4 7. Totals 11 (2) 5-6 34
Wright – Totals 22 (2) 4-9 54