(Fort Washakie, WY) – Little Snake River made the trip from Baggs early Saturday morning on a perfect February day to play the Fort Washakie Eagles for the first time in a Class 1-A Southwest Conference game. The Rattlers took an entertaining 62-50 win over the Eagles despite Fort Washakie raining in eight 3-point shots.
Little Snake River is quick at every position, but their guards have an added speed element that played out last fall with the Rattlers repeating as 6-man state football champions with their second consecutive unbeaten season.
They ran the break well when the Eagles’ long-range shots rebounded long. It was off to the races in the early going for Little Snake River.
When the game slowed to a half-court affair, the Eagles were human flyswatters in the paint, blocking six shots in the opening period.
Three-point plays are common, but not at the free throw line. The Eagles fouled Tymber Cozzens on a long-range shot, and he converted two of three free-throw attempts. Less than a minute later, the Rattlers fouled Milton John Hill on nearly the same shot, and he also converted two of three from the line.
Fort Washakie closed to single digits a few times in the second half, but each time Little Snake River answered with a layup or shot range jumper to keep the margin in the low double-digits.
Johnson Roanhorse led Fort Washakie with 14 points, Tilden Tillman, Ty Hereford and Michael Arthur each scored 10.
Tymber Cozzens led the Rattlers with 17. Granit Ready and Jandro Kunsman each had 14 for Little Snake River, with Quin Shearman scoring 10.
Fort Washakie hosts St. Stephen’s this Wednesday, it was a close action-packed game at St. Stephne’s last month and promised to be another fast-paced game this time.
FORT WASHAKIE 13 16 16 17 – 62
LITTLE SNAKE RIVER 8 13 17 14 – 50
Fort Washakie -Johnson Roanhorse 1 (3) 3-4 14, Tilden Tillman 2 (2) 0-0 10, Milton John Hill 2-3 2, Ty Hereford 3 (1) 1-2 10, Dandre Vasquez 1 0-0 2, Michael Arthur 1 (2) 2-4 10, Quincy Teichert 1 0-0 2. Totals 9 (8) 8-13 50
Little Snake River – Aiden Jones (1) 0-0 3, Granit Ready 2 (2) 4-6 14, Quin Sheaman 5 0-2 10, Jandro Kunsman 6 2-4 14, Trey Weeldreyer 3 0-0 6, Tymber Cozzens 5 (1) 4-5 17. Totals 21 (4) 8-17 62