With one conference game remaining, the Lady Chiefs are the Class 2-A Southwest Conference champions for the umpteenth time. No one knows for sure, including Wyoming Indian head coach Aleta Moss, but after a weekend sweep of Big Piney and Kemmerer, they are unbeaten in the Southwest with a 5-0 record and only Wind River remaining on the schedule at home next Thursday.
The Lady Chiefs hammered Big Piney 59-24 Friday night at Alfred P. Redman Memorial Gym, then handled the Lady Rangers from Kemmerer at home Saturday after a similar 57-24 score to complete the weekend sweep.
Wyoming Indian did it on defense in both games but set a tone early against Kemmerer, limiting them to just single-digit scores in all four periods, including just three points in the opening eight minutes of play.
Sophomore point guard Paisley Blackburn returned to the floor, and her presence was palpable offensively.
The 5-4 Blackburn tallied14 points against Kemmerer, including a pair of 3-point shots, but it was her hounding defensive play, and skilled ballhandling and passing that ran the Lady Chiefs’ offense.
Freshman Connie Curry used her 6-1 height effectively, scoring inside on post moves and second shots to finish with 11 points. Ali Hubbard had a great game as well, finishing with 10 points, including a single trey.
Wyoming Indian will take the top seed into the Class 2-A West Regional Tournament a week from Thursday, most likely opening with Fremont County rival Shoshoni on the big floor at Wolverine gym.
WYOMING INDIAN 10 20 12 15 – 57
KEMMERER 3 7 7 7 – 24
Wyoming Indian – Dai’Onna Posey 1 0-0 2, Taya Dixey 2 1-1 5, Paisley Blackburn 4 (2) 0-0 14, Jamie Ferris 3 0-0 6, Ali Hubbard 3 (1) 1-2 10, Swin Hiwalker 0-2 0, Connie Curry 5 1-2 11, Delaney Gambler 2 1-2 5, Jayden Headly 3 0-0 6. Totals 22 (3) 4-9 57
Kemmerer – Wood 2 (1) 0-0 7, Gunter 1 0-0 2, Rogers 2 (1) 2-6 9, Lozier 1 4-4 6. Totals 6 (2) 6-10 24