They’ll meet again a week from Thursday in the opening round of the Class 2-A Boys Regional Tournament in Wolverine Gym in Riverton. It will be the third meeting of the season between Thermopolis and Wind River.
The Bobcats left no doubt in a 70-22 win that had the running close via the Mercy Rule in place just in the third period.
Defensively, Thermopolis was smothering, holding the Cougars to single digits in all four periods. They didn’t allow a 3-point shot in the contest and shut down the interior with double teams and solid rebounding.
It was a quiet opening eight minutes for Wind River with junior Josh Gallager scoring the only baskets on a pair of step-through post moves as the Bobcats built a quick 22-5 lead. They led 41-9 at the half
Thermopolis made it look easy from the perimeter, hitting seven 3-point shots by six different players.
The Cats played without senior and leading scorer Cody Bomagen, who sat to rest an injured foot before next week’s postseason tournament.
Gallagher led the Cougars with eight points.
WIND RIVER 5 4 4 9 – 22
THERMOPOLIS 22 19 14 15 – 70
Wind River – Tanner Walker 1 1-2 3, Ford David 3 3-3 9, Hirsch Zickafoose 1 0-0 2, Josh Gallagher 4 0-0 8. Totals 9 4-5 22
Thermopolis – Collins 1 (1) 0-0 5, Hastie 9 (1) 1-1 22, Weber 1 (1) 0-0 5, Peil 1 (2) 0-0 8, Welsch 3 0-0 6, Deere (1) 0-0 3, Shaffer 2 0-0 4, Simeral 1 (1) 0-0 5, Collamer 4 0-0 8, Martinez 2 0-0 4. Totals 24 (7) 1-1 70