The Riverton Wolverines fell to fifth-ranked Sheridan 66-54 in their season opener in the final game of opening day action at the Strannigan Tournament.
Sheridan took the contest behind a pair of 21-point performances in an inside/outside offensive effort by Garret Spielman and Cael Hamrick.
Hamrick did the damage inside and Spielman tallied six 3-pointers, most from the baseline for the outside scoring.
The Wolverines led early and battled well on the board despite a substantial size advantage at every position. It’s a situation Riverton will face all season with a shorter, quicker roster.
Sheridan surged in the second period behind 11 points from Hamrick to take a 27-23 lead into the half.
Under head coach Beau Sheets, the Wolverines have a tradition of playing well in the third period and that continued in the opening minutes of the second half as Riverton overcame a six-point deficit to lead by two points with 5:15 remaining in the third.
That lead quickly evaporated behind a 14-2 Sheridan run, and the margin stayed the same for most of the remainder of the game.
Spielman drained four treys during the Sheridan run.
Parker Paxton paced Riverton with 18 points, and Darrick DeVries scored 17.
As a team, Riverton hit seven 3-point shots, but Sheridan made double-digits with 10 from beyond the arc.
Riverton faces Pinedale Friday at 11:30 am as the Strannigan Tournament continues through Saturday.
Riverton 13 10 11 18 – 54
Sheridan 11 16 22 17 – 66
Riverton – Braden Vincent 2 0-0 4, Darrick DeVries 3 (2) 5-9 17, Dre’Vin Monroe 1-2 1, Kade Gabrielson (1) 0-0 3, Parker Paxton 4 (2) 4-9 18, Nathan Hutchison 1 (2) 0-0 8, Hunter Hauck 1 1-2 3. Totals 11 (7) 11-22 54
Sheridan – Degrange 2 0-1 4, Hamrick 7 (1) 4-4 21, McMeans 1 0-0 2, Woodsow 1 (2) 0-0 8, Spielman (6) 3-4 21, Bateson 1 0-0 2, Gilbert (1) 0-0 3, Tomlinson 2 1-2 5. Totals 14 (10) 8-11 66