Laramie High School Faces Outlaws and Tigers in Prep Basketball

It’s the final weekend of non-conference action for the Laramie High School basketball teams.

On Friday, LHS visits Class 3A Rawlins. Then, they return home on Saturday to face Rock Springs.

Friday’s games will be on the broadcast over the radio on KOWB (AM 1290) and the KOWB app. Due to a conflict with Wyoming Cowgirls basketball on Saturday, the only way to listen is through this link: www.network1sports.com/station/kowbnet/.

Laramie Girls

The Laramie Lady Plainsmen will try to stop a five-game losing skid this weekend. Laramie is 2-7 on the season. They lost all three games last weekend in the Taco John’s Invitational, 67-36 to Green River, 39-38 to Sheridan, and 55-27 to Kelly Walsh.

First up is a game at Rawlins (5-6) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Then, it’s back home against Rock Springs (6-4) on Saturday at 1 p.m. A victory over the Tigers in Riverton last month is one of only two on the season for LHS.

Head coach Rod Tyson says the goal is simply to continue to get better.

“Watching the film there were sometimes it didn’t look like we have improved, but there were some things we did do in games that were much better when we played Green River and Kelly Walsh. We actually had some good things that happened, but it just didn’t seem like there was enough of them because we were getting beat so bad, but we’re definitely improving every time (we play).”

Tyson also isn’t concerned about his team’s mentality. He said they’ve already covered it. We knew improvement might not be in wins, but more in attitude and teamwork and feels they have accomplished that.

As for the opposition, Tyson said, “It’s always going to be tough. We’re playing Rawlins, who beat us at home last year with Jen (Aadland), so we’re going to have to bear down and play really well. Then, we’re at home against Rock Springs, one of the teams that we beat, but we did that last year and (the second meeting) they were much better. You just have to come out and give everything you got.”

Laramie Boys

The Plainsmen enter this weekend off of their first two losses of the season. Laramie is 7-2 overall. After a victory over Green River, 52-49, to start the Taco John’s Invitational last Thursday, LHS lost to Rock Springs, 50-45 in Cheyenne, and then fell at home to Kelly Walsh, 55-52, on the buzzer-beater.

Head coach Jim Shaffer says coming off the two losses it’s been a different week.

“It’s finals week. We’ve got kids sick. We have some guys injured, so we’ve been short-handed all week. We’ve put in some new things, but it’s been an interesting week.”

Shaffer hopes his team can respond in the right way, but he’s not sure until they play.

On Friday night, they play at 3A No. 5 Rawlins (8-2), who has won six in a row.

Shaffer said being a 4A team and going down to play a 3A team, “There’s not a lot to win in that situation. It's a big deal for Rawlins and somehow we’ve got to convince our kids that it’s important and a big deal for us, too. We have to go compete, play hard, and put some things behind us from the last week, and hopefully get things going again.”

He does know the Outlaws have a pair of wins over 4A teams, Rock Springs and Evanston, so he feels it will be a tough game.

As for the rematch against Rock Springs, Shaffer said, “I didn’t think we played very well the first time we played them. (This time), we’ve got ‘em in our gym. We’re trying to do some things to get our posts more involved, hopefully, this weekend that shows up and helps us. They (Rock Springs) are long and athletic, and they’ve got really good talent. It’s a matter of them putting it together and playing well as a team. I thought they did that against us on Friday (last week), and hopefully, we’ll play better this time around.”

The Plainsmen meet the Tigers in Laramie on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Listen Live to LHS Basketball Friday Night!