The Riverton Wolverines put on an impressive defensive display Thursday at home against Jackson Hole. Riverton held the Broncs to just 17 points through three quarters before a late flurry of 3-pointers closed the gap in a 56-36 Riverton win that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate.
The Wolverines built a quick double-digit lead behind balanced early scoring with six players hitting shots or free throws in the first period. Senior Blake Gantenbein came off the bench and hit a pair of follow shots that opened up the game.
It was the same in the second, with Riverton limiting the Broncs to just five points in the period. The half arrived with Riverton leading 29-10.
A highlight of the second period came with Eric Smith blazing down the middle of the floor, then hitting Garrett Jackson with a perfect bounce pass for a layup and a 17-6 Wolverine lead.
Clay Sheets added another highlight reel style play with a backcourt steal followed by a coast-to-coast layup. He and Smith joined for another stellar opening half play with Sheets hitting Smith on the break and Smith finishing with a spinning up and under move to end the half.
The best series of the night came in the final period when Trenton Weber unleashed the best offensive series of his season so far with an eight-point final period. He opened with a string of offensive rebounds before he found the mark. He added a 3-pointer and another follow shot, playing like a man possessed in the final minutes of the game.
The Riverton student cheering session ended the game with the chant of “Go start the jet” in reference to the opulence of Teton County in comparison with the rest of Wyoming.
RIVERTON 15 14 11 16 – 56
JACKSON 5 5 7 19 – 36
Riverton – Eric Smith 1 (1) 2-4 7, Clay Sheets 2 (1) 1-2 8, Garrett Jackson 5 (1) 0-1 13, Gage Treber 1-4 1, Trenton Weber 2 (1) 1-2 8, Beau Anderson 2 1-2 5, Dane Cox 1 0-1 2, Blake Gantenbein 3 (1) 3-5 12. Totals 16 (5) 9-20 56
Jackson – Tustin 1 (2) 0-0 8, Stricklin 1 0-0 2, Allen (1) 2-2 5, White 1 1-2 3, Chapman 2 0-0 4, Hoffman 1 (4) 0-0 14. Totals 6 (7) 3-4 36